On 15 November, the Roosevelt Island community suffered a heartbreaking tragedy.

Our neighbor, Justine Mahouve, lost her mother, Catherine Same Mahouve, in a devastating fire at 560 Main Street.

Catherine was a long-time Roosevelt Island resident who found joy in visiting the local library and spending time with friends over lunch at the Senior Center. She was the first female Minister Counselor at the Permanent Mission of Cameroon to the United Nations, and a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and pillar of the Cameroonian community.

Justine is now facing the unimaginable: grieving her mother while trying to rebuild her life from nothing. Many neighbors have asked how they can help. We created this page to support the funeral costs for Catherine, so Justine can honor her mother with the dignity and respect she deserves. Any additional contributions will help Justine with basic needs and the long road ahead.

Thank you for standing with her. Roosevelt Island has always shown deep compassion, and your kindness will mean more than words as Justine begins to heal and rebuild.

The news story can be found here .