Heartbroken family’s horror after mum-of-three Elleni, 42, went to work – and then suddenly dropped dead without warning
A much-loved Sydney mother of three has died after suddenly falling unwell with a headache while at work.
Creative director Elleni Jamal, 42, had just sat down at her desk in a job she’d recently started, when she began complaining of head pain on Thursday.
Ms Jamal, who has worked on campaigns for fashion brands Camilla and Rockmans, called her husband Khaled to pick her up – and later that day collapsed due to a brain aneurysm.
Mr Jamal frantically gave CPR to his wife, the mother of their three daughters, before she was rushed to a Sydney hospital.
Doctors declared her brain dead, the Daily Mail understands, with her family switching off her life support on Friday.
Despite growing up in a Greek Orthodox family, Ms Jamal was swiftly buried on Sunday at Rookwood Cemetery after a funeral at Lakemba Mosque in accordance with her husband’s Muslim faith.
Meanwhile, 10km across town in Banksia, a memorial service was held at St Savvas of Kalymnos Orthodox Church.
‘As Elleni will be at the mosque for the funeral service, her photograph will be present at the church as we gather in prayer and remembrance,’ her father John Kambourakis wrote on Facebook.
Mother-of-three Elleni Jamal died suddenly last week after suffering a brain aneurysm
She leaves behind a devastated husband, Khaled Jamal, and their three daughters
On Saturday, Mr Kambourakis confirmed on social media that his daughter had ‘passed away yesterday under the most sudden and unimaginable circumstances’.
‘It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share news we never imagined we would have to write,’ he said.
‘Our hearts, along with the hearts of everyone who knew and loved our beautiful Elleni, are completely broken.’
A GoFundMe in Ms Jamal’s honour was launched on Saturday by a family friend.
‘On what began as an ordinary day, our beloved Elleni went to work,’ said Jeehan Rendell.
‘Without warning, she suffered a sudden brain aneurysm and tragically passed away,
‘In an instant, Khaled lost his beloved wife and soulmate. Amelia, 12, Layla, nine, and Zara, just five, lost their beautiful, devoted mum.
‘Elleni was a radiant light and the heart of her family. Her world revolved around Khaled and their three beautiful girls.
Creative director Elleni Jamal, 42, had just sat down at her desk in a job she’d recently started, when she began complaining of head pain on Thursday
Ms Jamal’s father John Kambourakis spoke of his heartache through a social media post
‘Her sudden death has left a devastating and unfillable void in the lives of everyone who knew and loved her.’
Ms Rendell said Ms Jamal’s husband was now facing the ‘unimaginable – grieving his wife while caring for their three young daughters and navigating a future that has changed overnight’.
‘We are raising funds to help this family through the immediate and long-term financial challenges ahead, including funeral costs, everyday living expenses and the girls’ future needs,’ she said.
‘With a large mortgage and the sudden loss of Elleni’s income and support, Khaled may be forced to sell the family home at a time when he should be focused on grieving and caring for his children.’
Mr Jamal declined to comment when contacted by the Daily Mail.
