Jean Abdelmalek (née Truelove)

Jean Abdelmalek passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on Thursday July 16, 2026.  Predeceased by husband Nabih Abdelmalek, father James Truelove and mother Jane Truelove (née Norbury).  Loving Mother of William (Sharon), Carolyn (Georges), and Grandmother of James (Angelique).

Jean was born in Manchester England in 1931, and was an only child.  She was an outgoing person from childhood, gaining friends everywhere she went.  She lived through World War II between the ages of 8 and 14.  She later became a dental hygienist, trained by the same dentists who served Queen Elizabeth.  She subsequently earned her teacher’s certificate.  She met her future husband, Nabih Abdelmalek, when he was studying in England.  They married in Egypt in 1959, where she secured a teaching position at a prestigious private school, at one time being teacher to a son of the Saudi King, amongst other dignitaries.  Jean and Nabih lived in Cairo for 7 years, where their children, William and Carolyn, were born.  The family moved to Canada in 1965, settling in Beacon Hill North, in Ottawa, from 1967 until the time of Jean’s passing.  Jean raised her young children until they were of an age when she could restart her career.  She then worked for 2 decades as a teacher’s aid at several schools specializing in special needs children.  She was loving with the children, who all loved her.  A high point of her career was speaking to Queen Elizabeth on the day of the signing of the Constitution of Canada in 1982, when The Queen walked over to speak to the child that Jean was caring for at the ceremony.  Jean was a talented artist, specializing in family portraits and nature scenes in oil and water colour.  She had a special place in her heart for all animals.  She loved all forms of music, and going for walks and being in nature.  She will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
Graveside service and interment will be held Tuesday July 21, 2026 at Beechwood Cemetery, 280 Beechwood Ave. Ottawa at 3:00pm.
Jean’s family express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful, caring staff at Elmsmere Villa, who took such good care of her, and to the compassionate staff at the Montfort Hospital, who gave her such comfort.