In Loving Memory
We remember Jeanne Marie Celeste Davids, who passed away after a courageous battle with illness. Born Jeanne Marie Celeste Rhoode in a house which was named "Rusticana" in the suburb of Claremont, Cape Town, on December 8, 1948, she was the youngest daughter in a large family of eighteen siblings. Jeanne's early life was deeply rooted in the Catholic Church, where her faith and spirituality were steadfastly nurtured. She was baptised on February 2, 1949, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church, Lansdowne. Jeanne received her education at St. Augustine’s Primary School and Immaculata High School, both in Wynberg.
In 1970, she met her husband of 50 years, and they were united in marriage on March 26, 1971. Jeanne's life was marked by her profound love for her husband, a dedication vividly seen in her unwavering loyalty and immense sacrifice as he travelled the seas as a devoted seaman. Her commitment to him was a testament to the depth of her heart. Together, they built a family, raising three sons, all of whom survive her. Jeanne was a loving and nurturing mother to her sons, and she was known for her unwavering dedication, willing to do anything and sacrifice everything for her three boys and husband. She also found immense joy in caring for her five grandchildren—two grandsons and three granddaughters.
Throughout most of her life, Jeanne enjoyed robust health, free from common ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, or heart conditions. However, between 2016 and 2018, her family observed changes in her memory recall and overall demeanour. By the end of 2018, Jeanne received a diagnosis of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. This news, while challenging, was met with remarkable resilience by her immediate family, who promptly began managing the progression of this debilitating condition.
As the years advanced, so did Alzheimer’s. By 2019, Jeanne's short-term memory had significantly declined, and her cognitive abilities, including her capacity for reasoning, began to diminish as she entered the middle stages of the disease.
In October 2020, a new health challenge emerged. Following an observation by her eldest granddaughter, a mammogram and ultrasound revealed a large tumour in her left breast, which had metastasised into her lymphatic system. Subsequent biopsies, CAT scans, and X-rays confirmed that the carcinoma had spread to her lungs, leading to a diagnosis of T4 Breast Carcinoma, or Stage 4 Terminal Breast Cancer.
Jeanne Marie-Celeste Davids will be remembered for her strength, her enduring faith, and the deep love she shared with her family, especially as a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. We are humbled that she passed away peacefully in her own bed, in her bedroom, in her house, and at her own time.
We are also comforted knowing she was not in a hospital bed or an institution all alone; she passed with her husband, three sons, daughters-in-law, and all her grandchildren around her. Her memory will forever be cherished by those whose lives she touched.
Following her death, medical professionals confirmed that Jeanne's passing was not a direct result of her breast cancer. Instead, the cause of death was attributed to complications from Alzheimer's disease, which led to progressive neurological decline and subsequent multi-organ failure, including renal failure.
Final Resting Place
On February 12, 2022, just after midnight, Jeanne Marie Celeste Davids was called home. Her funeral service took place on March 5, 2022, at Our Lady Help of Christians Catholic Church in Lansdowne, Cape Town. Following the service, led by Father Christopher Sharpe, she was interred in the church’s Garden of Remembrance.
Both Jeanne and Godfrey chose aquamation, a water-based cremation process utilising alkaline hydrolysis, provided by one of South Africa's largest funeral homes. The same process chosen by Nobel Peace Laureate, the late Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu. It is truly heart-warming to know that their choice reflected a desire to contribute to environmental sustainability, helping to secure a better future for their loved ones and generations to come.