The funeral of L'Orient-Le Jour correspondent Hoda Chedid took place at Saint George's Cathedral in downtown Beirut. (Credit: Chady Souaid)
For the final farewell to journalist Hoda Chedid, who was part of the LBCI family as well as a correspondent for L’Orient-Le Jour for many years, a crowd of colleagues and political and social figures joined her friends and family on Sunday, notably her father, her two brothers, and her six sisters, to mourn her passing and celebrate her life and long career. The funeral took place at St. George Cathedral in downtown Beirut.
The funeral mass was given by Maronite Archbishop of Beirut Boulos Abdel Sater, representing Maronite Patriarch Béchara Raï, before the burial in Hoda Chedid's native village, Kefraya, in the Zghorta district (North Lebanon). Information Minister Paul Morcos represented President of the Republic Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berry, and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.
LBCI broadcast emotional testimonials from individuals attending the church to offer condolences to the family, all emphasizing the professionalism, kindness, humility and unifying nature of the late journalist.
Chedid was first diagnosed with cancer in 2014, a challenge she overcame after several chemotherapy sessions, before experiencing a period of remission. However, in recent years, she had to face this illness again. Born in 1965, Hoda married Ziad Saadeh at the age of 22, who died a few months later from cancer. She then embarked on a long journalism career that spanned three decades. She served as a correspondent at the presidential palace in Baabda, as well as an exceptional field journalist covering all significant events throughout these years. President Joseph Aoun paid a heartfelt tribute to her just two weeks ago at Baabda Palace, in the presence of her relatives.
A culture of peace
The speech by Maronite Patriarch Bechara al-Rai was read during the ceremony, summarizing the journalist's journey from her birth and childhood in the Zghorta district, to her brief marriage and widowhood, then her career that made her a respected face in Lebanese media.
Her brother Tony Chedid spoke on behalf of the family. He emphasized his sister's unifying nature, who was surrounded by people from different communities and regions of the country, all of whom had a steadfast friendship with her.
"I see the love you had for Hoda, and which will continue with you," he said. He paid tribute to his sisters and father, thanking the CEO of LBCI, Pierre Daher, for all his support.
"I am sure that the culture of peace dear to Hoda will ultimately triumph, which is why the love she sowed today drowns out the noises of war, because Lebanon desires nothing but peace," he declared.
Daher, visibly moved, also spoke.
"Hoda is no longer among us, but the example she set for people in the profession remains, and we will often say follow the example of Hoda Chedid," he said. He paid tribute to her sense of precision, the sense of responsibility that characterized "Hoda the exceptional," and her professionalism.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.