“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

With heavy hearts and strong Christian faith in the resurrection, we announce the passing of Violette Salim Haddad in the morning of December 25, 2025.

Violette was born in Ain Dara, Lebanon, in 1936, to a loving and caring family. She was preceded in rest by her father, Salim, her mother, Melvina, her sisters, Nadia and Samira, and her brother, Joseph. She is survived by her brothers Fouad, Ghassan, Samir, and George. She was the proud mother of six children—Lodi (Sami Khairallah), Sleiman (Lillian Haddad), Joseph (Houda Khoury), Dorothy (Naji Haidamous), Jean (Ibtissam Haddad), and Sami (Mary Haddad). She was also the proud grandmother of thirteen grandchildren: Jeanan, Nader, Chantal, George, Brian, Christina, Brendan, Steven, Mathew, Christopher, Sergeo, Sofia and Georgios.

Violette lived in Ain Dara from the time she was born in 1936 until 1982. She often reminisced about the old days spent gardening and baking bread. She always cherished the closeness of the village, where people lived as one community, sharing the work, the joys, and the responsibility of caring for one another.

In April 1982, we lost our beloved father, Georges Haddad in the war, and we moved to Canada shortly after. Violette faced this devastating time with incredible strength and courage, as she worked multiple jobs while learning English and supporting her family at home. Violette worked at Fabric Land and George Haddad Bakery. She would tailor for her family and friends, making dresses, wedding gowns, and suits. Everything she made was done with care, precision, and love, and she took great pride in her work. She also worked at the Holiday Inn, helping to create a Mediterranean menu, sharing a part of her culture with others.

Violette made an impact on so many lives, and many felt her love deeply. Even during the most difficult times in her life, she was always thinking of others first and led with unwavering generosity. Her home was always open and welcoming to family, friends, and even strangers, and no one ever left her house hungry.

She is admired and remembered for her strength and resilience and will always be an inspiration for living with perseverance. Anyone who knew Violette felt her care, and she left a lasting impression on everyone she met. We will miss her dearly, but her values, her love, and her memory will always be in our hearts. May God grant her eternal rest, and may her memory be eternal.