Obituary of Maysoon (May) Kamil JADOU

Maysoon (May) Kamil Jadou, beloved daughter, mother, wife, sister, aunt, Bibi, and friend, passed away peacefully, in Calgary, surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

Incomparably elegant and stylish, May had an unmatched eye for beauty. She actively sought inspiration from the world around her and transformed the mundane into stunning works of art. The beauty she created echoed the beauty within her soul. She was the kind of person who would lend a comforting ear without judgment and offer sound advice with unconditional support.

The granddaughter of a prominent Baghdadi businessman, she was born into a close-knit, loving family and was the second out of seven sisters. She excelled in school (particularly mathematics), and was accepted into a university engineering program, but opted to study biology instead. While completing her Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Baghdad, she met and fell in love with a Turkic teaching assistant, Hamid, who would become her future husband.

Upon receiving a scholarship to pursue his postgraduate studies at a Canadian university, her husband decided to bring his newlywed bride overseas to live in Ottawa, ON. Their intention was to go back home after completion of his doctorate, but political unrest deterred them from that plan. They decided to stay in Canada and start a family. They had one child in Ottawa but eventually relocated to Calgary, AB, where they had two more children. May had always been artistically talented, but Calgary was where she honed her gift. While working as an interior decorating specialist, she sold many of her magnificent paintings to gratified clients. 

May demonstrated tremendous strength and courage throughout her long and arduous battle with cholangiocarcinoma (a rare and devastating cancer of the bile duct). She was a tenacious fighter who, with the help of her dedicated family, outlived her prognosis and exceeded the medical specialists' expectations beyond imagination.

May's generosity, kindness, wisdom, grace, sense of humour, and loving heart will be dearly missed by all those who loved her.‎

Besides her loving husband, May is survived by her children, grandchildren, father, sisters, and a large extended family living all around the globe.‎

She was predeceased by her mother and nephew.

A Celebration of May’s Life will be held at a later date for friends and family to honour May’s memory. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on May’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

Her family takes solace in knowing she is now at peace and extends their gratitude to the healthcare providers who graciously looked after her while she was under their care.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Alberta Cancer Foundation – Gastrointestinal Cancers, Provincial Office, Sun Life Place, 710, 10123 – 99th Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 3H1 Telephone: 1(866) 412-4222, https://giving.albertacancer.ca/donate/gastrointestinal?amount=&designation=Gastrointestinal%20Cancers