Rachel Dabbah

Rachel Dabbah (née Lichaa) of Delray Beach, Florida, died peacefully in her home on Friday, August 15, 2025. She was 84. Rachel was born on November 22, 1940, in Cairo, Egypt, to Louna, a seamstress, and Lichaa, a jeweler. The eldest of four children, she learned how to sew and embroider at an early age, following in her mother's footsteps. She married Joseph (Joe) Dabbah in 1956. Shortly thereafter, the couple was forced to flee their country for political and religious reasons. They moved to France for three years before immigrating to the United States with their infant daughter, Claudette. With $300 hidden in a tube of toothpaste, they made their life in Baltimore, Maryland. Joe opened EXACTIME Watch and Clock Repair in downtown Baltimore, where he became a prominent and sought-after watchmaker. Their son, Albert, was born in 1961. Once both kids were old enough to attend school, Rachel worked as a seamstress at Cross Country Clothes in Pikesville, John Sims in Pikesville, Nordstrom in Towson, and out of her home. Rachel, who had an impeccable eye for fashion, dressed then-local news anchor Oprah Winfrey, government officials' wives, brides, and countless others. Both Rachel and Joe worked tirelessly to provide for their family, instilling in their children the importance of hard work and education. She and Joe moved to Delray Beach, Florida, in 2002. A devoted mother and grandmother, Rachel was happiest around her family. She spoiled her grandchildren as they grew up with beautiful and accessorized outfits, including some she made herself, and all the Mentos and chewing gum her purse could carry. Rachel was in a class of her own in the kitchen. She poured time, care and love into every Egyptian and French dish she made, yet it all looked effortless. No matter the number of people at her table, she always served enough to feed a small army. When together, her grandkids sequestered her in the kitchen to learn everything they could. Rachel cherished the endless hours she spent cooking and baking with them, passing along her recipes, techniques, and family history. She taught them how to make the perfect hamantaschen, among many other things, and instructed her granddaughters to never over-tweeze their eyebrows. She loved Dunkin' Donuts, Celine Dion, Mamma Mia! (the movie), Dancing with the Stars, and, most importantly, her grand-dog, Pebbles. Rachel is predeceased by her husband, Joe, her parents, Louna and Lichaa, and one great-nephew, Ezra. She is survived by her siblings, Esther Messafi of Maryland, Albert (Vicktorija) Lichaa of Israel, and Laila (Steve) Chamuel of Massachusetts; her two children, Dr. Claudette (Robert) Jacobs of Maryland and Dr. Albert (Robin) Dabbah of Florida; and her four grandchildren, Ashley, Adam, Taylor, and Marcelle. She also leaves several nieces, nephews, and other extended family members who will miss her dearly. Family was forever the most important thing to her. As she once said, "What do you take from life but the love of your family?" And Rachel never lived a day without it. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Florida Breast Cancer Foundation, or Shirley & Barton Weisman Delray Community Center in Delray Beach, FL.