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| Christiane at home, Sumene, France Photo: M. Amodeo |
Our wonderful friend, Christiane (Dricot d'Ans), left us on Wednesday 14 September. Her funeral will be held on Saturday 17 September at the Sumene Parish Church, France.
Here she is with her beloved husband and her beautiful smile together with her lovely family at their house in Sumene.
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| Family picture, provided by Jean Dricot |
Christiane, a medical doctor and biological anthropologist, worked tirelessly for children's health in several countries with UNICEF. We met in WCARO (Cote d'Ivoire and Senegal), where Christiane was an indefatigable Regional Health Adviser. She also served in Vietnam, Honduras, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Indonesia, South Sudan, Somalia, as well as Peru and Brazil, where, together with her husband, she performed field work for over 16 years. But, Christiane's unforgettable infectious laughter and her positive and warm personality are what all her colleagues found most endearing. You met Christiane and you immediately loved her.
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The above picture was taken at a dinner with friends at La Guarida restaurant (where the movie Como Agua para Chocolate was shot) XUNICEF Annual Reunion, Cuba.
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| Olduvai Gorge (Photo: M. Amodeo) |
Christiane and Jean at Olduvai Gorge (one of the most important paleoanthropological sites in the world) post XUNICEF Annual Reunion, Zanzibar.
And, thanks to the XUNICEF travel reunions, several XUNICEFers, who may not have had the opportunity to meet Christiane during their working life, were delighted to get to know this marvelous woman with a great curiosity and zest for life, which time could not temper. For me, she was the most amazing friend, colleague, travel companion and inspiration.
Christiane and Jean, this magical couple whose love and mutual devotion transcended all difficulties, managed to raise a wonderful family of five children, sometimes together, often apart, in the most remarkable manner. This family is so united today that it is hard to imagine that they had to endure so many painful separations. That experience is familiar to many of us who succeeded or not to clone oneself in order to give one's all, both to one's precious family and one's mission to save the world's children. In their sprawling country house in Sumene, the Dricot family - now numbering 21 - gathered often to celebrate life and special occasions all together. They are together this weekend to bid a last farewell to their beloved Christiane.
Christiane, c'est juste un au revoir. Comme on le dit en Cote d'Ivoire "Nous sommes ensembles"!
Click here to see some of Christiane's and Jean's contribution to XUNICEF News and Views.
Condolences may be sent to her spouse, Jean Dricot at <jeanmdricot@gmail.com>
So sorry!! I met Jean and Christiane in Afghanistan. Jean actually came to Herat to visit some of our projects. My heart felt condolences to Jean and the family.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteI got to know Christiane and Jean after retirement and we became friends at the XUNICEF reunions. I cherish the warmth and affection that Christiane extended to all she met, new friends marveled at her energy. Jean and Christiane were the picture of a peaceful and loving couple. Being quick on her feet, Christiane was always clicking candid photos of colleagues at the Bangalore/Mysore reunion and sharing them with all the next morning.
During the COVID Delta variant pandemic in India, I was most touched that she and Jean sent me a cheerful message for early recovery all the way from their farm in rural France.
Christiane, we will miss your smile and friendship. Rest in Peace.
Our heartfelt condolences to Jean and the family.
Sree (India))
My husband, Adrian joins me to offer our deepest condolences to Jean and his family on the passing of Christiane. We met this lovely friendly couple at several XUNICEF reunions, the last in 2019 in Yerevan where we had dinner together.
ReplyDeleteI can vividly picture Christiane chatting, laughing with her camera strapped on her shoulder or ready to take pictures. Christiane exuded so much warmth and was filled with a joie de vivre.
Christiane, you will be missed.
Adrian and Doreen Lobo
Mary and I send our condolences to Jean and the whole family on their loss in the certain knowledge that she was the best wife and mother any family could have had, leaving them with wonderful memories of her passion for them and her gentle good humour.
ReplyDeleteChristiane was unquestionably the best health professional with whom I had the good fortune to work. UNICEF and countless children were fortunate that someone, somewhere, had had the foresight to employ Christiane and Jean in the same duty station which was a partnership greater than the sum of their individual contributions. Together, they were able to work successfully despite the office environment being highly toxic, showing considerable strength of character. We remember, with pleasure, Christiane’s sunny disposition at all times. Thank you, Christiane, we will always remember you.
ReplyDeleteLa mort est une realite triste de la vie a laquelle on doit faire face. Christiane nous a precedes avec son beau et contagieux sourire contagieux. Tous ceux qui ont ue l'opportunite de connaitre Christiane ont su apprecier son professionalisme,sa chaleur humaine et sa joie de vivre. Ne reverrons plus jamais son visage jovial et son beau sourire.
Certes Christiane laisse un vide immense dans le coeur de son epoux Jean Dricot, ses enfants et les autres membres de la famille et aussi ses collegues et amis de l'UNICEF.
Que son ame repose en paix.
Fritz Lherisson
Thank you Margarita!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry I could not respond to this sad message but I was hiking and camping in scattered communities in the State of Hidalgo in Mexico, with very poor internet signal.
I got to know Christiane during our ex-Unicefers trips and always tried to sit near her and Jean to practice my French, let them practice their Spanish and enjoy their lovely company.
Christiane was always happy, making jokes and having the ability to enjoy every bit of the trips, no matter if visiting a developed, semi developed or under developed country. She was really a "citizen of the world" who knew how to make the best of every circumstance.
She and Jean made lots of friends beyond UNICEF colleagues due to their "joie de vivre".
I will definitely miss my friend but I recognize she left an important legacy: learn to enjoy every day of our lives.
Christiane, we will continue your example, and will surely take care of Jean in our ex-Unicefers trips.
A big hug to my beloved friend, wherever you are.
Blanca San German
Cher Jean, Nadia et moi avons tous les deux un tres beaux souvenir de Christiane et son charmant charactere, toujours souriante et toujours prete a aider les autres. Nous regrettons sa disparition prematuree mais rappelons avec beaucoup de tendresse ses gentilles mots et gestes envers nous quand vous avez visite Montreal pour la Reunion de XUNICEF en 2008.
ReplyDeleteQue Son Ame Reste en Paix !
Nos sinceres condoleances a toute votre Famille.