Justine Dehmel, 89, of Browntown, VA, fomerly of Union, NJ passed away on October 26, 2016. She died peacefully with her beloved children by her side at Shenandoah Senior Living in Front Royal, VA.
Justine was born April 3, 1927 in L’Hôpital, Moselle, France, the middle of three daughters born to François and Marie Melinar. She is predeceasd by her older sister, Maritza. In her adult years, she lived in Paris, France, working in the tailor-made women’s high fashion industry when she met and married her husband Antoine Dehmel. A son, Jean-Claude, was born in Paris. Antoine, Justine and Jean-Claude emmigrated to Quebec, Canada and the United States in the 1960s in search of a better life. Daughter Viviane, was born in Montreal, Quebec. In 1965, the family finally settled in Union, NJ where Justine worked in the clothing industry and in her later years, office management, before retiring. Among her many talents was a gift for languages and a musical ear that could identify any classical music piece by composer and title. Antoine preceeded her in death on March 12, 1989. Late in the fall of 2007, Justine came to live with her daughter, Viviane and son in law, Mike in Browntown, VA. She adored the Shenandoah Valley and said it reminded her of Austria, where she and Antoine used to often vacation.
Justine is survived by her son, Jean-Claude and companion Karen Strickland of Fairfax, VA, along with her daughter, Viviane and husband Mike Knight of Browntown, VA. In France, she is survived by her younger sister, Emilie.
A private memorial service will be held for family only on Friday, November 4, 2016 at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal, VA. A very special thanks is extended to the caring staff at Shenandoah Senior Living for their tender and loving care of Justine. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork Street, Winchester, VA 22601.
