Jeanne Ave (Guiland) Sahibzada

Jeanne Ave Guiland Sahibzada passed away peacefully and quietly on October 18, 2019.

Ave lit up so many hearts with her smile. And, oh, what a smile! She was the epitome of a life well lived. She was the quintessence of fun, spontaneity, generosity of spirit and heart. She made it her life's mission to not be judgmental of anyone. She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. She made no aspersions. She welcomed with open arms whatever life sent her way with compassion and grace. And she held close to her Faith. Everyday, even on the most diffcult days, Ave found joy and happiness in the littlest of things and moments.

She will be sorely missed and will forever remain in our hearts and souls.

Ave was fortunate to have met her loving husband Ejaz who affectionately called her "Boopsie." Throughout their 40-plus years together, Ave and Ejaz traveled extensively. She loved adventure and she immersed herself in the various cultures of the beautiful places she visited.

Ave loved to sew and design. She made several of her sisters' and nieces wedding dresses. And, of course, her forte was making and beautifully decorating the traditional wedding "Black Cake" for which she will be fondly remembered not only by her sisters but by her nieces and nephews. She also shared her love for baking cakes for others on their special occasions.

Ave's home was evidence of her keen sense of design and artistry. She created an atmosphere of easy beautiful living. Her home was comfortable and elegant and flowed with a lovely sense of harmony. She found so much joy in her garden where she loved and nurtured her 'Samba' rosebush, the many playful and mischievous squirrels who visited for peanuts, the many birds, especially the hummingbirds which visited her feeders; and, of course, she was always excited to see the deer who frolicked in her backyard.

Ave was kind and demure but had a strong, deliberate mind which was so evident in her determination to have a child at age 42 even though her doctors advised it would be detrimental to her heart condition and well-being. But she ignored it all and did it her way...so Ave! And by the Grace of God, on January 11, 1993, she gave birth to her son Yusuf at 20 weeks and weighing 1 h lbs. Although premature, Yusuf was lovely and complete and Ave was ecstatic. Now at 26, handsome, strong and kind, Ave embraced Yusuf as her greatest accomplishment and joy.

Ave cared so deeply for her family who in turn cared so deeply for her. She was born with a congenital heart condition. Her husband Ejaz diligently and lovingly cared for her throughout her long and arduous journey which Ave bore with dignity and grace.

Jeanne Ave was bom in Trinidad, the 5th child of 11 children, to Emmanuel and Amelia Guiland. She is survived by her loving husband Ejaz and son Yusuf, and by her 7 sisters and many nieces and nephews. Ave was preceded in death by her father Emmanuel Hilario and her mother Amelia Vedora Serrette Guiland; her 3 brothers: Stephen, Pedro and Anthony Guiland.

Mass will be held at St. Hugh of Grenoble Catholic Church, 135 Crescent Road, Greenbelt, Maryland on Monday, October 28, at 10:00 a.m.