Nancy Metayer remembered as “love incarnate” as she is laid to rest

Thousands of mourners gathered Friday to lay to rest Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer  in a ceremony that celebrated the 38-year-old official killed in her home earlier this month. Both in her hometown and online via livestreams, those who knew Metayer portrayed a brilliant woman who recently aspired to add “Congresswoman” to her list of public service achievements. 

“Nancy was love incarnate,” Richard Brookshire, who first met her in high school, said in eulogizing her. 

“Nancy’s greatest gift was her capacity to make everyone around her feel seen, heard and safe,” he said. “In a world that can sometimes harden a soul, Nancy remained soft, loving, kind, and generous, a reputation that preceded her and a spirit that will endure.”

A procession of luminaries took the stage at Church by the Glades to sing Metayer’s praises, applauding her leadership at different stages of her life. They lauded her journey in advocating for environmental justice, reproductive rights and water quality, then entering the political arena. 

The eldest daughter of Misselin “Jack” and Marly Metayer, she was recognized for an array of achievements, including being the first Vice President of her senior class at Coral Springs Charter School and earning an academic scholarship to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, where she pledged Gamma Sigma Sigma National Service Sorority. From there, Metayer landed prestigious internships at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Obama White House, and the Clinton Foundation – all before obtaining a master’s degree from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. 

Metayer became the first Black and Haitian American woman elected to the Coral Springs City Commission in 2020. Her illustrious career also featured highlights such as serving as the leader for Caribbean engagement during the Kamala Harris presidential campaign.

To continue representing her community during these “inconvenient times,” Brookshire said, she told him that she planned to run for Congress.

Brookshire also spoke of Metayer’s first official role working in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, and emphasized how grounded Metayer was in her Haitian pride and culture as a ‘zo.’

“Despite her monumental accomplishments and the demands on her time and her spirit, Nancy was always one call away from those she loved,” Brookshire said. “No matter the time, no matter the situation—she was present. She listened. She cared. She gave of herself without

grievance or expectation.”

Marie Woodson, a Florida House representative, said in her remarks what many saw in the videos of Metayer’s life in the public light.

“At just 38 years old, Nancy has done so much more than many will do in a lifetime,” Woodson said. 

GoFundMe set up to support endowment

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support Metayer’s family and establish a long-term endowment honoring her legacy. As of April 17, the GoFundMe fundraiser had reached $42,273 — about 17% of its $250,000 goal — with 263 donations, according to the campaign page.

Organizers say the Nancy Metayer Endowment will serve as a permanent fund to preserve the Haitian American leader’s legacy of public service, equity and community advocacy. A portion of the funds will also provide immediate financial relief to her family, who are navigating what supporters describe as “unimaginable loss.”

Metayer , 38, was shot and killed in her home in Coral Springs, Florida, in what authorities describe as a domestic violence case. Her husband, Stephen Bowen, faces charges of premeditated murder and evidence tampering. 

Her killing has sent shockwaves through the Haitian Diaspora and political circles across South Florida and beyond, where she was widely regarded as a rising leader.

Metayer  made history as the first Black and Haitian American woman elected to the Coral Springs Commission in 2020. Re-elected in 2024, she was appointed vice mayor later that year. Known for her work in environmental science and community organizing, she also played a role in national politics, including advising Democratic campaigns on Caribbean voter outreach.

The fundraiser also comes months after another tragedy for the family — the death of Metayer’s younger brother, Donovan, in December.

In the campaign description, organizers highlight her lifelong commitment to public service, from her work as an environmental scientist focused on water quality and public health to her leadership in local government.

“Nancy’s life was defined by her passion for service,” the page reads, noting her belief in building communities where “every voice mattered.”

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