Rebbetzin Shulamit Bitton-Blau, as remembered by her children and grandchildren

Maybe it was because she was an only child, born under miraculous circumstances to her holy parents, Rav Shimon and Beya Cohen, that led to a lifelong joie de vivre for Rebbetzin Shulamit Bitton-Blau.

Perhaps it was the massive and beautiful Birkas Kohanim endowed on the community from the shuls in Djerba each Shabbos, with priestly families who could trace their lineage centuries back.

It may have been her recovery from a burn accident at age six that required a yearlong hospitalization in Tunisia, after which the doctors told her she would likely never have children.

How it came about may have been a mystery, but what was clear to all who knew her was that Rebbetzin Bitton-Blau built upon her auspicious roots — and worked on herself and her faith so that even when she experienced significant loss and great challenges, she radiated true simchas hachaim. She loved other people, gave to her family and those around her with joy, and saw Torah as the shining gem in her life.

Shulamit (Cohen) Bitton-Blau was born and raised in Tunisia, and traveled to Gateshead at the encouragement of her parents at age 17. It was there that she met and married Rabbi Shimon Bitton, who studied in the Gateshead Kollel. The family lived in Gateshead for close to two decades and then moved to Marseilles, France, where Rabbi Bitton served as av beis din and rosh kollel.

Tefillah was always an integral part of the Rebbetzin’s life. She relished going to shul, and when the children were old enough, the Rebbetzin would go with them on Shabbos and sing the tefillos softly along with the tzibbur. She faithfully attended early-morning Selichos and Shacharis for the entire month of Elul for many years, including the last year of her life, when it was difficult for her to walk.