Obituary: Jeannine (Israel) Altmann

Jeannine (Israel) Altmann died peacefully at home on April 27, 2026.
Jeannine was born Aug 10, 1944, in the Belgian Congo in Africa. She is predeceased by her parents, Albert and Sara Israel, who hailed from the Isle of Rhodes before later moving to the Belgian Congo.

Jeannine came to America when she was 15 to live in Montgomery, Ala., with her Aunt Becky and Uncle Saul Alhadeff and her two cousins, Esther and Jeanette Alhadeff. Jeannine, Esther, and Jeannette all became like sisters.

She graduated from Sydney Lanier High School in Montgomery as an honor student and after high school, she attended the University of Alabama where she was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. It was in college where she met the love of her life, Aaron Altmann, who came to the University of Alabama all the way from Kfar Shmaryahu, Israel, on an academic scholarship. Aaron and Jeannine were married on Aug 22, 1966, and just recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

After graduating from college, Aaron and Jeannine moved to Atlanta. After a few years, Aaron started his own office furniture and supply company and despite Jeannine being an English major, Aaron convinced her to be his bookkeeper. The two of them would go on to work together in two different businesses spanning more than 50 years.

The main focus of her life was her family. Her children, Steve (Melissa), Karl (Julie), and Sandi (Cary) and her beloved grandchildren, Sara, Brandon, Andrew, Jason, Mallie, Ryan, Ari, and Josie. She loved attending all their sporting events, music concerts, and recitals and whatever other activities they were involved in. She doted on them and nothing made her happier than spending time with them. She also loved watching sports, especially her beloved Braves, which she watched every night, even if they were playing on the west coast. And while she of course Rolled with the Tide, she even rooted for the Dawgs and Gators to support her kids and grandkids.

She was known around town as the Mahjong Queen, playing in multiple games, including with a group of women she played with for over 50 years after meeting them in the Toco Hills area where they first lived after moving to Atlanta. She also famously kept Hallmark in business, never failing to send her friends and family cards on every birthday, anniversary and graduation.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Congregation Or VeShalom www.ovs.shulcloud.com/payment.php

May her memory be a blessing to all who knew her.