Obituary of Janine Melloul

Janine Melloul (née Keller) 1929-2025 Passed away peacefully at her home in Waterloo on Thursday, August 28, 2025 at the age of 96. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Maurice (d.2009) with whom she shared a long and loving life. Together they created a legacy of family and travelled the world.

They met during the Second World War, when he served with the French Army North African Corps and was billeted to her family home in Alsace, France. They married there in 1948, and lived in Tunisia and Paris before immigrating to Canada with their young family in 1961. Her devoted mother Anna Keller (née Grunwasser d.1989), and younger sister shared in their journeys and made their home together with them.

She was a woman of remarkable strength and vision. With courage and determination, she embraced a new language, and built a life filled with opportunity and adventure. Her drive and ingenuity led her to a career at the University of Guelph managing the department of languages, and later as a Realtor. In retirement, she delighted in her winters spent in Florida.

She leaves behind her sister Marinette Murphy and her children: Bernard (Frannie) Melloul, Francine (John) Chambers, Michel (late Cindy) Melloul, Jean-Yves (Jane) Melloul, her niece Michele (Will) Mactaggart, her grandchildren Joël (Amberlea) Melloul, Nadine (Jeffrey) Heimpel, Natalie (Carlton) Jarvis and their mother Marilyn Melloul, Carinne (Rick) Saini, Melisa Melloul (Brian), Christine Melloul (Mike), Anna (Paul) Boudreau, Paul (Emily) Melloul and Sarah Melloul, as well as eighteen great-grandchildren: Madeleine, Meredith, Harriet, Luke, Adrienne, Cameron, Naomi, Maliya, Jovan, Spencer, Sylvie, Adley, Colton, Luke, Gavin, Wesley, Malcolm and Margo, and great niece and nephew Esmé and William. She is lovingly remembered by her family in France, with whom she remained closely connected.

A private celebration of life will be held at a later date for family and close friends.

She will be deeply missed by all who loved her.