Jeannette Balian passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at her home in Altadena, California. She was born on February 12, 1924 in Sudan, Africa to Avdoka Talisse and Basil Chammas. The youngest of eight children, Jeannette was raised in Aleppo, Syria. She lost her mother at a very young age and was sent to live with nuns at the Franciscan School in Aleppo. Jeannette, or as she was fondly known, Jano, immigrated to the United States, landing in New York in the spring of 1949. She worked as a couture dress maker and designer until she married the love of her life, Alexander Habib Balian (President, Balian Ice Cream Company) on October 26, 1958 at the Huntington Hotel, Pasadena. Jeanette raised her beautiful family in Altadena, California. She was famous for her exceptional culinary skills, specializing in the food of her hometown Aleppo, Syria. Jeannette nourished the people around her with love, faith, kindness, and incredible food. She fiercely loved her family.
She has three children, Kalmouné Balian Antoun, Aida Balian Petro and Habib Alexander Balian II and their spouses, who she considered extended children, Roy Antoun, Peter Petro and Andrea Fugate Balian. She has nine grandchildren, Matthew Ryan Antoun and his wife Christina Barsamian Antoun, Adam Anthony-Alexander Antoun, Sara Nicole Antoun, Danielle Michelle Petro, Amanda Nicole Petro, Jeffrey Joseph Petro, Alexander Habib Balian II, Alisa Ingrid Balian, and one great granddaughter, Summer Marie Antoun. Jeannette is also survived by her older brother Joseph Chammas (104) and many beloved nieces and nephews. Jano is predeceased by her siblings Josephine Sakkal, Mary Hajjar, Antoinette Secard, Samia Chammas, and George Chammas.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Cancer Support Community in memory of this extraordinary woman. Jano’s daughters, Kal and Aida, are dedicated volunteers at Cancer Support Community. Kal is the current Board President.
The family would be honored to permanently name a room in Cancer Support Community's new building in memory of Jeannette. To learn more about this campaign to support Cancer Support Community's new facility, click here.
