Jeanette Chebib Halal

HOLDEN - Jeanette Chebib Halal, 90, of Holden, MA, passed away peacefully with beloved family by her side at the Rose Monahan Hospice on January 21, 2025. She was predeceased in 2007 by her husband of 45 years, Donald M. Halal. Jeanette leaves her immediate family, daughter Vicki Halal (Donald Walker) of Medford, MA, son Michael Halal (Karen Stokke) of Ayer, MA, and daughter Jeanne Halal of Kingston, NY, along with grandchildren Leila Walker of Belmont and Mike Walker (Vix Small) of Somerville. Jeanette is also survived by sisters Isabelle Chebib, Badr Kadamani, Leila Mussa, and Maha Chebib, along with dozens of dear nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Sisters Laure Haddad, Josephine Yanni, and Yvette Macksoud, along with brothers Georges, Tony, and Jean Chebib, predeceased her.

Born in Zahle, Lebanon, on February 7, 1934 to Victoria (Yanni) and Mikhael Chebib, Jeanette was known as a warm, creative, curious, and gracious woman who enjoyed the company of family and friends. For decades she was known as a designer and seamstress of beautiful clothing for women and children. Beginning in Lebanon, she ran a shop with her sister Josephine. After immigrating to the United States in 1961, Jeanette continued to build her home-based business, expanding it to include the making of clerical garments for local priests. Many of Jeanette’s expertly and artistically crafted gowns, dresses, suits, and coats are still being worn and passed down for successive generations to wear.

Jeanette was also known as a consummate host and entertainer, welcoming any guest, whether from the neighborhood or abroad. Everyone who entered her home was treated to delicious food, drinks, and lively conversation. She perfected Lebanese dishes and other specialties, making them taste and look perfect for every occasion.

She also took great interest and pleasure in travel, art, music, maintaining her indoor garden, knitting, crocheting, bowling, jigsaw puzzling, playing her favorite card game “tranca”, and learning new skills, including upholstery and oil painting. She instilled that sense of exploration in her family by imploring them to “always keep learning.”

Most of all, she found joy in spending time with family and friends. She delighted in being around children, entertaining them with songs, stories, or even a few tricks. Whether they had known Jeanette for an hour or a lifetime, anyone who met her remarked on her radiant smile and genuinely boundless heart as a mom, grandmother, sister, cousin, friend, or passer-by.

Jeanette will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at https://www.stjude.org/give.html , Rose Monahan Hospice Home online at https://vnacarenetwork.ejoinme.org/VNACare , and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 256 Hamilton St., Worcester, MA 01604.

Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Tuesday, January 28, 2025 from 9:30 am to 11:00 am followed by divine liturgy at 11:00 am, both at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 256 Hamilton Street, Worcester MA. Burial will follow at Notre Dame Cemetery in Worcester. Funeral arrangements are under the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.

To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.milesfuneralhome.com