Cancer activist and diplomat's wife Suzy Eban dies at age 90

Suzy Eban (Shoshana Ambache), the widow of former Israeli diplomat Abba Eban, passed away on Thursday at the age of 90. Eban bore witness to many watershed moments in Israeli history and was active in a variety of social causes. She leaves behind two children, two grandchildren and two sisters.

Born in Ismaïlia in northeastern Egypt, Eban spent her youth and teenage years in Cairo and later studied at the city's legendary American University. She met her husband, Abba (Aubrey) Eban during World War II, when he was a British Army intelligence officer stationed in Cairo. The couple married in 1943.

Eban stood at her husband's side throughout his long and distinguished political career, which ranged from positions as Israel's ambassador to the U.S. and U.N. to positions within the Israeli Knesset and as Foreign Minister. Eban's late husband died in 2002.

A year ago, Eban published her memoir, "A Sense of Purpose: Recollections." In it, she describes her unusual childhood and her role as the wife of international diplomat. "Born in Egypt," she writes, "I was brought up in the spirit of Hebrew Palestine. I lived in the Middle East but received a French education. I married an Englishman and we both became Israelis."

Eban's most notable contribution to Israeli society was her work on behalf of the Israel Cancer Association. From 1950 to 1998 Eban functioned as the association's founding president.

Her sister Aura Herzog is the widow of Israel's sixth President Chaim Herzog, while her nephew is Labor MK Isaac (Buji) Herzog. MK Herzog said of his late aunt Thursday night that "the story of her life is the embodiment of the Zionist story. Throughout her life, she demonstrated a deep commitment to the establishment of the state and its welfare. May her memory be a blessing."

The Israel Cancer Association also issued a statement mourning her passing. "The association bows its head in sorrow in memory of Suzy Eban, our founding president. Her significant contribution will be forever remembered in our hearts."

Eban's funeral is scheduled for Sunday at the Kfar Shmaryahu cemetery, where she will be buried alongside her husband.

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