Jacqueline Lee (Dritz) Alameddine left this earthly world on the evening of June
12th 2021 just days after her 74th birthday surrounded by the Love of her family,
especially her sweetheart, her devoted and loving husband of 54 years who has
been by her side since she was diagnosed with cancer just two months prior.
Jacque passed, taking her next breath in Eternity full of such strength and peace
and pure love holding her husband’s hand.
Jacque was born on June 7, 1947 in White Plains, New York to Eugene Dritz
and Lois Sneidman Dritz. She has an older brother Kenneth Dritz (Joann
Jackson). Jacque was the granddaughter of John Dritz, founder of Dritz & Sons
which was established in the 1920’s and became famous for “having a tool for
every sewing and quilting task.” Dritz products can still be found today in stores
around the world. Jacque relocated to Spartanburg, South Carolina with her
family at the age of 13 where she realized her love and passion for horseback
riding. She made many childhood memories on their family ranch with her
favorite horse Reno. After graduating from high school she attended Tampa
University as a zoology major before transferring to Louisiana State University
where she met her soulmate and best friend, Ray (Abboudy) Alameddine. They
fell in love in February of 1968 and they were married 6 months later in August of
1968. After Ray graduated from college he began working for Mobil Oil and
their two daughters, Michelle Nicole Alameddine and Lara Danielle Alameddine
were born in 1974 and 1976. As is typical of the oil business, Jacque, Ray and
their daughters relocated every few years, spending time in New Mexico and
throughout Texas. However it was the time they spent living in Stavanger Norway
from 1977-1980 that left a lasting impression on Jacque. She fell in love with the
land, the people, the culture and the lifestyle. The people she met through the
Fishing Federation of Norway became lifelong friends whom she would fish with
every other weekend throughout the year in the Norwegian Sea. It is here where
her ashes will be returned.
Following in her father’s artistic footprints, Jacque shared her amazing
photographic talents with her community in person and online, traveling the world
to photograph historic sites and wildlife in Alaska, Hawaii, Jordan, Africa,
Lebanon, The Grand Canyon, The Greek Islands and other beautiful places. Her
photographs were often displayed in local art festivals and fairs. She loved and
appreciated the many gifts of nature and was a true adventurist at
heart….whether it was deep sea fishing in European fishing tournaments, fly
fishing for trout in the rivers around her beloved family cabin in Arizona, cross
country skiing and hiking in rugged mountains or picking wild berries and
foraging for mushrooms and turning them into delicious exotic meals.
Jacque was a true nurturer deep in her spirit, whether it came to her family, her
friends, animals (especially her childhood horses and dogs), those in need, and
strangers who would easily become friends. She had the most peaceful energy
and showed unconditional love, compassion, empathy and true friendship to
everyone who knew her, making people feel instantly at home in her presence.
She supported and loved her husband, daughters and grandchildren
unconditionally and completely and was so deeply loved by them in return.
Family meant everything to Jacque.
In 2014 Jacque and Ray moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico so they could
easily travel between there and their beloved cabin in Alpine, Arizona which was
built by Jacque’s parents in 1980. It was here where they made many beautiful
memories with family and friends in the home they affectionately referred to as
The Lone Aspen.
While her family and friends are grateful that she is no longer in pain, the loss of
her in the physical world leaves us simply heartbroken. Jacque is survived by her
husband and best friend Ray (Abboudy) Alameddine; daughters Michelle
Alameddine (Kitty Hawk, NC) and Lara Alameddine (Palm City, FL);
grandchildren Hunter Riad Sanchez, Sawyer Reise Sanchez, River Lee
Sanchez, Jakeb Orion Alameddine Croteau and Mollie Aliyah Ray Goldberg;
brother Kenneth Dritz (Naperville, ILL) and her extended loved family both in the
United States, Lebanon and around the world.
In lieu of flowers, please kindly consider making a memorial gift donation to MD
Anderson Cancer Center in Houston TX where she was being treated before
she tragically passed away. Cancer had previously affected Jacque’s family when
her grandson Sawyer was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2016. The family has
supported cancer research in the hopes that new cures would be found. MD
Anderson Cancer Center is making a tremendous difference in the lives of cancer
patients by supporting innovative patient care, research, education and
prevention programs. A link to the donation page in Jacque’s memory can be
found here:
https://secure3.convio.net/mdacc/site/TR/DIY/General?px=1411372&pg=persona
l&fr_id=1473
Jacque loved the work of Lebanese poet and writer Kahlil Gibran, especially his
book The Prophet. She would often share his words and messages with family
and friends. It seems only appropriate to leave with these heartfelt and
comforting words by Jacque’s favorite poet:
Kahlil Gibran on Death
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the
mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the
body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the
king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of
the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is it to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides,
that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance