Jean Ghareeb, 79, died peacefully in her sleep on June 22, 2022. Jean, a crossword puzzle aficionado, Alabama Crimson Tide fan, and self-proclaimed Anglophile is survived by her loving husband of almost 50 years, Donald, her cherished daughter, Elizabeth and her son-in-law, Michael Petty.
Jean grew up in a tight knit family in Indiana with nine siblings and was preceded in death by her parents, John E. Benton, Sr. and Bessie W. (Davis) Benton, and seven of her siblings John E Benton, Jr., Gailene Rover, Mary Ellen Finchum, Brenda Stearsman, Pamela Wilbers, David Benton, and Richard Benton. She is survived by two siblings, Stephanie Benton and Michael Benton.
Jean was known for her sense of style, beauty and quick wit. She was inspired by culture and helped her younger sisters, Pam and Stephanie expand their horizons by exposing them to the symphony, art and poetry. Jean volunteered as a docent at the Alabama Museum of Art, and was passionate about photography turning her lens on her beloved family to capture many memories of traveling throughout the country in support of Don’s love of Arabian horses and Elizabeth’s joyful dedication to American Saddlebred horses. Although Jean cut back on travel over the past decade, she was still an ardent cheerleader of Elizabeth during competitions via livestreaming.
Jean was generous to her siblings and many nieces and nephews and found great satisfaction in philanthropy. Jean and Donald established the Donald M. and Jean Ghareeb Endowed Support Fund for Preventive Medicine at UAB and were inducted into Bryant Society of The Crimson Tide Foundation in 2016. Jean and Don have been members of St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Vestavia Hills since 1982.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Stephen Episcopal Church, 3775 Crosshaven Drive, Vestavia Hills, AL 35223, www.ssechurch.org/give.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the GHAREEB family.
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