Claire Lebel's Obituary
Claire Lebel, beloved mother, wife, and fashion icon, passed away peacefully at the age of 97. Born in Egypt on May 20, 1928, Claire was the youngest of five children, raised in a strict Orthodox home. Her early life in Egypt was marked by beauty and leisure, but in 1956, with the fall of King Farouk and the onset of the Suez Canal crisis, her life—and that of her family—took a profound turn. Alongside HIAS, the Hebrew Immigration Aid Society, she and her family fled to Europe, and in 1959, they sailed on the Queen Mary, arriving in New York on January 1.
Despite having no formal training, Claire became a successful businesswoman, opening a boutique in a Boston suburb that drew women from far and wide. She traveled to New York and Europe as a buyer, but above all, she was a devoted mother. No matter how successful she became, Claire always made time for her children—driving us to activities, working hard to give us the best, and ensuring we felt loved. After 35 years, she and my father retired to Boca Raton, Florida, where Claire, the diva of Boca, remained a fashionista from youth until her final days. Even in the nursing home, she was always impeccably dressed, a vision of beauty and grace.
Claire was a devoted wife to my father for 65 years, standing by him every day during his illness, and never wavered in her care. She leaves behind a legacy of strength, love, and elegance. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Funeral service to take place Tuesday, April 5, 2026 2:00pm at Levitt Weinstein/Beth David Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions in Claire's honor be made to: WIZO - Womens international Zionist Organization (https://www.wizo.org)
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