Esther (Amzallag) Ohayon

Our precious and beloved mother, Esther Amzallag Ohayon, affectionately called “TiTi” passed away Monday, July 11th, 2022 surrounded by her adored husband Simon and 4 children: Joelle, Nathalie, JoJo and Ronith. She was born March 13, 1939 in “Mogador” known as Essouria, Morocco.

She lived, worked as a nurse and was married in Casablanca until she, Simon and her 4 children immigrated to the United States in 1972 and landed in Wheaton, Maryland. She was determined to give her family a better life thus was instrumental in preparing all the necessary paperwork for immigration. She devoted her life to raising her children with love and care and being an attentive wife. She was her children’s #1 fan and fierce mother protecting, defending and feeding her children, “manger, manger”. She was a wonderful cook as she spent so much time in the kitchen preparing meals for her family and extended family. She was the last survivor of her immediate family. Her parents were Meyer and Freha. Her half siblings were Hanania, Fiby and Zazou. Her siblings were Salomon Amzallag, Sarah Duke, Jose Lara, and Jacky Amzallag.

She welcomed the growth of her family as her children were married: Joelle married to Richard Quinn, Nathalie married to Mark Fetgatter and JoJo married to Joan Ohayon and Ronith once married to Jim Dunn. She had endless energy. She loved babies and she was made a grandmother with 8 grandchildren: Olivia and Douglas Quinn, Hannah and Samuel Fetgatter, Ethan and Noah Ohayon and Madeleine and Emma Dunn. She helped raise her grandchildren when they were babies and toddlers. She adored her grandchildren and they in turn adorned her with love and made her laugh as they teased her lovingly about her very heavy French accent and Frenglish words. She was curious and enjoyed keeping in touch and traveling to see her family in France, Israel and California. She joined the tech world by using her IPAD and using Facebook to satisfy her appetite of seeing pictures and getting news of her family. Her home in Rockville is adorned with photographs and greeting cards she collected from her loved ones. She was a proud mother and grandmother.

She had an infectious laugh and beautiful smile. Her diagnosis of Dementia did not stop her pursuits: she loved to take walks, talk on the phone especially with her children, visit family, go to the senior center, prepare holiday dinners with such ease, check her Facebook, and care for her pets. In recent years and to the end of her life, her husband of 61 years, Simon, took care of all her needs with dedication and love.

We are missing her but find great solace of the many memories and yes, tens of thousands of pictures and videos that we will all cherish.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a Dementia or Alzheimer nonprofit organization.

A graveside service for Esther will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 2:30 PM at Judean Memorial Gardens, 16225 Batchellors Forest Road, Olney, Maryland 20832.