RUKAB, ODETTE ZACHARIA - age 78, passed away peacefully on Monday, January 14, 2019, surrounded by family. Odette was born in Jerusalem, Palestine on October 2, 1940. She met her husband, Lewis, while she was his nurse in the hospital in Jerusalem. They were married for 58 years. Following the 1967 war, her father-in-law and brothers-in-law who had already moved to Jacksonville, FL, urged them to join them in America to seek a better and safer life. They moved to the US in 1970 and settled with the rest of the Rukab family in Jacksonville. Upon coming to America, Odette and Lewis worked side by side as small business owners to create a better opportunity for their children. Odette devoted her life to her family and her faith. She was a member of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church and served for many years in its choir. She was beloved by all who knew her and she was adored for her beautiful sweet smile and loving spirit. She received so much joy from feeding her delicious Arabic cuisine to her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Yacoub and Malakeh Zacharia and brother Stawri Zacharia; Odette is survived by husband Lewis, her daughter Ghada Eid (Faris), Son Marwan, daughter Rana Rukab (Rocky), and daughter-in-law Christina Rukab; Grandchildren: Marwan, Rami, Hannah, Lewis, and Nicholas; Brother Stephan Zacharia (Munira), Sister Nadia Awwad, Brother Joseph Zacharia (Widad) and many brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nephews, and nieces.
Family will receive friends at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 6300 Bowden Road, Jacksonville, on Thursday January 17 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by the Trisagion prayer service, with The Very Reverend Archpriest Father Kamal Al-Rahil, officiating. Funeral services will be held on Friday January 18 at 10:00 a.m. at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, followed by the interment at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32207. In lieu of flowers and in support of Odette’s faith, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 6300 Bowden Road, Jacksonville. May her memory be eternal.
Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com
HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.
