TABEEK, Jelean

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 09/26/2014 Jelean Tabeek, 84, of Phoenix died peacefully in her sleep Sept. 18, 2014. She was born June 13, 1930, in North Hollywood, Calif., to William and Irene Pierce. Jelean was a musical prodigy on violin and piano, performing by age 5. She attended North Hollywood High and was a “babysitter to the stars.” She met the love of her life, Amin Charles Tabeek in 1947 and they were married four years later on the day after her 22nd birthday. They settled in central Phoenix where they raised six children. Once her kids were all in school, she started attending classes at Arizona State University where she earned her masters degree in special education. She taught special education for the Osborn School District in Phoenix for several years, and eventually retired to travel with Charlie and pursue her love of all things “crafty.” She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Amin “Charlie” Tabeek. She is survived by her six children, Gail Luck, Gwen Scaggairi, Theresa (Ed) Woudenberg, Jana (Dennis) Ronan, Michael (Jolene) Tabeek and Brian Tabeek. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by all, but she is now together with Charlie again and they are no doubt “dancing up a storm” in heaven. A visitation and rosary will be held from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26, with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Whitney and Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, in Phoenix. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 3440 N. 18th Ave., in Phoenix. Interment will immediately follow at St. Francis Cemetery, 2033 N. 48th St., in Phoenix. A reception for family and friends will be held at Whitney and Murphy Funeral Home after the proceedings. In lieu of flowers, people are invited to donate with mass cards or to Hospice of the Valley.