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Robert Yousef Baaklini

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Adma Sawaya

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Salimeh Tannouse Sawaya

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Victoria Matar
1913 - May 3, 2007  - Texas

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Salim Bou Chebl
in Houston, TX

From: Matar, Nabil [mailto:Nabil.Matar at valero dot com]
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 7:17 AM

It is so sad to inform you that last Sunday we lost a wonderful Shweiri a great man and a dear friend Mr.Salim Bou Chebl. Salim always loved Shweir very much. All the years he spent in USA he  never forget  his roots.

Salim was an Shweir Secondary School (SSS) and AUB graduate.  He was always a top supporter to every little project we did to help our town.

May god rest his soul in peace 

Nabil E. Matar

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Interview w Reema Samaha's dad Joseph on CNN
Reema's grandparents in Beirut mourn her loss
Posts about Reema's loss from the dance community
Read and participate on Shweir BB about Reema
Interview with Reema's dad by Dateline 
Interview with Reema's brother Omar on CNN

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Iliya Fareed Harik

July 20, 1934 – Feb. 24, 2007

A special service will be held in Dhour at Mukhaliss Catholic Church, (Saha), Sunday March 4 at 10:30AM. 

It is with great regret that I inform you of the passing of Iliya Harik.  Iliya loved Shweir, his roots and he and his wife Elsa and his family are great supporters of Shweir and Shweir.com.  Iliya was a leading expert on Mid East studies and authored dozens of books.  A few months ago, Iliya Harik announced his new web site about Lebanon:  www.voicesforlebanon.com .  Such announcement remained on Shweir.com home page.

Iliya's loss is not only a great loss to family, friends and colleagues who knew him, but a big loss to Shweir, Lebanon, USA and the world. 

A quick search of Iliya Harik on Google yielded close to 1000 links in half a second. 
Books, lectures and or articles by him included topics such as: 

Politics in Lebanon, Economic and Policy Reform in Egypt, Cultural Identity and Negotiated Diversity, Foreign Affairs, Privatization and Liberalization in the Middle East...

Iliya's wife, Elsa Marston, wrote children's books and books and articles on Lebanon, Phoenicia, the Middle East and Shweir.  www.elsamarston.com  

Iliya died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack in the middle of the night.

If you wish to read or write a post on the BB, go to: http://www.shweir.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=52

There will be a prayer mass in Dhour Shweir on Sunday for Iliya. 

Elsa and Fadya Harik will send more info that I will post.

Anwar

At right, is an announcement from newspaper in Lebanon.

Below are excerpts from Elsa's message and an announcement from Lebanese American University, LAU:

Sent: Wednesday, February 28, 2007 8:09 AM
Subject: Announcement re Mass for Iliya Harik

"We had just come home from a very private prayer service with Iliya at the funeral home...how interested Iliya would have been to know about your phone call, and the interesting Shweiri connections!   I shall always think of him at moments like this, he was so enthusiastic for Shweir and its people and for life itself.

Here is the announcement for the mass that is being held for him this coming Sunday, March 4, at the Catholic Church in the main square.  Your cousin, the priest (who is very close to Iliya's family), is saying the mass.   Possibly you can put this on the website now;  I'll be able to send you the obituary as soon as I write it--I hope by tomorrow morning.

With kindest regards and appreciation of your sympathy,

Elsa

From: Walid Moubarak   wmubarak (at) lau (dot) edu (dot) lb            
Date: February 26, 2007 5:18:31 PM GMT+02:00
To:   all (at) lau (dot) edu (dot) lb              

Subject: Dr. Iliya Harik

 Dear Colleagues,  It is with great regret and sorrow that we inform you about the passing away of a great friend of LAU, Dr. Iliya Harik. Dr. Harik, who died at his home in Bloomington, Indiana of a heart attack, was professor emeritus of political science at Indiana University, and an internationally renowned scholar of Middle East politics and economics. During his periodical visits to Lebanon he contributed tremendously to the development of LAU's program in Political Science/International Affairs. In addition to donating scholarly books from his own private library to the University, he taught several graduate seminars on democracy and globalization. Dr. Harik was recently in Lebanon on a Fulbright program to help LAU to set up a Middle East Center for Democracy. His unexpected death was a great loss to all of us at LAU and its Social Science Division.

Funeral services took place in Bloomington on Sunday 25 February.

A special service will take place in Dhour Shweir, Lebanon, at the Mukhaliss Catholic Church, Main Square, (Saha) on Sunday March 4 at 10:30AM. 

Condolences will be received after the service and on Monday  from 10:00AM to 6:00PM in Hotel Dhour Shweir, Main Square.     May his soul rest in peace.

Iliya's LAU Friends and Students

Below is copy of Obituary that will appear in local papers in USA: 

Iliya F. Harik

A man of two cultures, Iliya Harik, professor emeritus of political science at Indiana University (I.U.), died unexpectedly but peacefully at his home on February 24.  Born on July 20, 1934, in Lebanon, to Farid Harik and Saleemy Sawaya, he grew up in a family of modest means but close affection, in the beautiful mountain village of Dhour Shweir.  After graduation from Shweir Secondary School, he attended the American University of Beirut, where he earned a B.A. in philosophy in 1956 and an M.A. in Arab Studies in 1958. 

A British Council scholarship provided him a year at the London School of Economics, after which he studied with the Committee on Social Thought at the University of Chicago, receiving his Ph.D. in 1964.   His dissertation (later published by Princeton University Press) was on “Politics and Change in a Traditional Society: Lebanon 1711-1845.”  From 1964 until his retirement from teaching in 1998, he was affiliated with Indiana University (I.U.) in Bloomington, with frequent sojourns in the Middle East and North Africa for research, teaching, consultancies, and other projects. 

Dr. Harik taught courses on Middle Eastern government, political theory, the politics of development, and comparative politics.  The course he enjoyed most—and that his students especially enjoyed—dealt with political expression in novels about Third-World countries.   A hallmark of his work was the creative exploration of new approaches to political theory and reality.  He sought to challenge conventional wisdom and to stimulate new thinking on contentious issues. 

He was probably best known as a scholar, publishing many works in the field of political and economic development in the Middle East.    Some book titles are The Political Mobilization of Peasants: A Study of an Egyptian Community,  Economic Policy Reform in Egypt, and Democracy and the Paradoxes of Cultural Diversity.    He edited or contributed  to numerous other books, as well as publishing many articles in journals and newspapers. 

Along with his U.S.-based career, Dr. Harik felt a strong calling to contribute to intellectual and political discourse in the Middle East, especially Lebanon, and therefore aimed much of his writing at Arabic-speaking audiences.  This took the form of several books in Arabic, including Who Rules Lebanon?, Democratic Theory and Challenges of Modernity:  Western and Islamic Perspectives, and The Arabs and the New International Economic Order, plus articles and monographs.  He served as visiting professor at universities in Lebanon and Cairo, and was a frequent participant and speaker at conferences in the Middle East, Europe, and the U.S.   His poetry and fiction, published in Arabic, reveal a further dimension of his engagement with the cultural life of his homeland. 

In addition to his teaching,  Dr. Harik helped establish and directed I.U.’s Middle East Studies Center (1980-83). On leaves of absence, he served as director of the American Research Center in Egypt (1990-92), was a visiting professor at Cornell University (1978-79), and directed the education and social science program of the Ford Foundation in North Africa (1974-75).   He served on the first board of the newly founded Middle East Studies Association (1973-76),  the Middle East Journal, and Journal of Arab Affairs.   

Following his retirement from teaching in 1998, Dr. Harik continued a varied and vigorous program of writing, with a new book in progress at the time of his death.   He undertook occasional teaching in Lebanon, lectured at the summer institute of the European University in Florence, Italy, and participated in at least one conference every year.   His most recent consultancies focused on the establishment of a center on democracy at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, and the founding of a Kuwait American University.   A new project just getting started at I.U., of which he was one of the original planners, is a series of lectures promoting dialogue and conflict resolution in the Middle East. 

A beloved member of the Bloomington community, Dr. Harik was an avid tennis player, enjoyed theatre and concerts, and delighted in his regular lunch meetings with friends from a variety of disciplines.  As a widely-respected public intellectual in Lebanon, he was deeply involved in the life of the nation.  He counted among his friends in Lebanon many of the country’s leading poets, writers, and politicians.  His example of integrity, civic engagement, and compassion has inspired generations of students and friends here and abroad. 

He is survived and sadly missed by his wife of 47 years, Elsa Marston Harik, and three sons:  Ramsay, a teacher living in Boston; Amahl, a fitness studio proprietor in Providence, Rhode Island, and Raif, a software engineer in Austin, Texas.  Other close family members are his granddaughter, Savannah Harik, of Walpole, MA;  his sister Fadia in Medford, MA, who holds a Ph.D. from Indiana University; and several nephews and nieces in the U.S., most of whom studied at Indiana University.   In Lebanon he is survived by his mother Saleemy, now about 101 years of age; his sister Linda, formerly owner of The Terrace restaurant in Bloomington;   his sisters Laudy, Angel, Ilham, and Laura; and his nephew Kamal Abi-Saleh and niece Hala Abi-Saleh, an I.U. graduate.   His family losses are his father Farid, his brother Najib, and his sister Muna, a former I.U. student. 

A memorial program is planned for Saturday afternoon, April 21^st, at the University Club, I.U. Union, with details to be announced later.  Everyone will be welcome. 

Dr. Harik’s family are exploring ways to commemorate his career as teacher and scholar, probably by furthering education in Lebanon—especially  for students who, like Iliya Harik himself, would not have been able to pursue their education without substantial help.  Those who would like to make a gift in his memory for a project of this sort may contact Elsa Harik  (1926 Dexter St., Bloomington, IN 47401; email in code to minimize spam:  harik (at) inidiana (dot) edu;  812-332-3881.) 

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to immediate and related families.

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Leon Dikran Tutongian

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Nabil Elias Corban

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Siham Yousef Halaby
Widow of the late Fayez Isaad Zghaib

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Sabeh Rashid Sawaya

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Afifi Baaklini
in Houston, Texas on February 1, 2007
 

We regretfully announce the passing of our beloved
 Afifi Toufic Nasr Khneisser,
survived by her husband Chebl Baaklini,
her son Elie, her daughter Marie wife of Souheil Khneisser,
her daughter Amal and her children Karim and Corinne Berberi,
her brother Joseph Nasr Khneisser and his family,
and the family of her departed sister Marcelle Sawaya.

Funeral Service will be held at
Our Lady of the Cedars, Maronite Church
11935 Bellofort Village Drive, Houston, Tx 77031
On Sunday the 4th of February 2007 at 2:30pm

Condolences via email to her son Elie:
in code:  eliebaaklini (at) hotmail (dot) com

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to any
St. Jude Hospital or to Our Lady of the Cedars Church in Houston.

"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart,
you shall see that in truth, you are weeping for that which has been your delight."
Khalil Gibran

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Fareed Butros Sawaya

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Fareed Butos Sawaya, Elie Bin Yameen Matar Rahbani

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Wadih Deeb Tabsharani
 

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Yousef Girgis Baaklini

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Deeb Najib Yared

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George Chammas
January 8, 2007 in San Diego, California

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Emile Yusef Asaad

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Elias Mikhayel Bou Zaid

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Alice Dimitri Saba,
Widow of Michel Semaan Sawaya

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Shehadeh Moujaes
Dec 21, 2006

Husband of Mary, Father of Waleed, Nissrine, Rawan and Samer Moujaes

I just spoke w/Waleed today Dec 22.  He is taking a flight to Lebanon this afternoon from the East Coast. 

To express condolences by email to Waleed -
email is in code:  wmoujaes (at) wowway dot com  

More info on Shweir BB: http://www.shweir.com/cgi-bin/bboard/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001943

We will post announcement as soon as we receive it.

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Nassib Yousef Murr

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Samira Amin Daher

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In Memory of  Joe Corban in New Zealand

-----Original Message-----
From: Fr George Bosauder [mailto:bosauder@xtra.co.nz]
Sent: Monday, December 11, 2006 7:19 PM
Subject: Sad News

 With regret I wish to inform you that one of the Corbans have reposed in the Lord:

"CORBAN, Joseph Annis. MBE.  On Thursday 7 December, 2006, at home, supported by his family.

Dearly loved husband of Patricia; loving and loved father of Robyn, Mark, Bruce and Michele; loved and respected father in law of Warwick, Jill, Helen and Innes and awesome Ghiddy of Richard, Ivan, Brigitte, Joseph, Madelaine, Sophie, Hannah, Emma, Claire, Katelynn and Aidan-Lee.

Finally at rest. Joseph will be at home from Monday 11 December 2006.

Funeral Service to be held at 11.30 am, Thursday 14 December 2006, at West City Christian Centre, 4341 Great North Road behind the Glendene shops at roundabout.  Wm Morrison Funeral Directors"

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In Memory of Hind Sawaya Laham in USA

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Ghattas Saad Hawi

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Emile Beshara Sawaya

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Laure Gerges Nasr Khnaisser

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Emilie Gerges Abou Samra

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Samir Elias Halabi

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Phillip Soleiman Halabi

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Nabil Habib Halabi

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Alice Yousef Nuhra Moujaes,
Widow of the late Philip Houbeika
July 1, 2006

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Sami Khoury Elias Najm

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Sonia Mousa Deeb,
Wife of Kameel Asaad Zghaib

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Clarice Fonseca, Widow of late Sleiman Gerge Matar

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Mikhael Hanna Touma Sawaya

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Adel Sabeh Baaklini

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Kareemeh Asaad Katoul

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Abdallah Michel Shaya Khnaisser
In France

Service prayer will be this Sunday at Mukhaliss in Saha

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Fareedeh Wadih Moujaes

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Linda Faris Corban Nasr Khnaisser

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Joseph Najib Rahbani

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Loulou Michel Kiameh
Wife of Joseph Kiameh

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Genevieve Toufik Almloush Nuhra
Widow of Emile Najib Nuhra

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Genevieve Ni3meh Khoury Moujaes

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Haleem Mitri Corban
January 3, 2006

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Nada Asaad Dawoud
Widow of Shukri Salim Abd El Ahad
December 29, 2005

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Dec 16, 2005
Genevieve Moujaes Mirhij,
widow of former AUB professor John Mirhij

-------------- Original message --------------
From: "Leila Melson"
It is with great sadness that I share with you the loss of my mother Genevieve Moujaes Mirhij. She died on December 16, 2005 There will be a funeral mass to-day, December 20, 2005 at the Saint Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles, CA at 7 p.m. and the burial service in Greensboro, NC on December 22 at 2p.m. at the Westmininster Gardens' chapel.
Friends and family are welcome to attend.
May God bless her soul.
Leila

For those who wish to express their condolences via email, you can send your message to Genevieve's daughter, Leila Melson.  Her email in code (to prevent spammers) is:   Lmelson  (at) wfubmc (dot) edu   - of course, you need to delete blank spaces and brackets "( )", change the "at" to @ and the "dot" to "."

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Lourice Hanna Helou,
Wife of Nimr Rashid Sawaya

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Rose Rizallah Nasr Khnaisser

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The following are posts about Mama Rose prior to her leaving this world...

Author	Topic: Tribute to Mama Rose - Rose Nasr
Victoria Member Member # 26   posted 03-24-2005 10:12 AM                    Do you all know who Mama Rose is? She is Rose Nasr, the Mother of Tallet Dahdouh. I saw last summer at the retirement home and I was so happy to see her. She is 100 % pure love, tough love, which a lot of people need. We grew up on her coffee with hal that she prepared with one hand. She looked out unselfishly for everyone and "told it like it is". Mama Rose your legacy is engrained in our hearts. One tough lady with one arm raised generations and all of the mista'jrin on Tallet Dahdouh. Mama Rose, we love you. Moujaes: Ghada, Soulaima, Sami; Jabir: Khaldoun, Morhaf, Fayez; Nawas: Tarek, Wael; Diamontes: Alecco, Vassily; Hallak: Cico, George, Nina; Mattar: Charlie, Katia, Caroline; Matar: Rima, Elie; Sheikh: Maya; Ayoub: Ghassan,Bert, Marie-Rose, Talal; Rizk: Sami, Salim, ... that were just a few of the kids. Posts: 287 | From: San Jose, CA, USA | Registered: Mar 2001  |  IP: Logged
Soulaima Houcheime Member Member # 127   posted 03-24-2005 10:39 AM                    Mama Rose!! She is living in Baytna these days i visited her too with Victoria last May My eyes where in tears to see this great LADY, talking to me as it happened yesterday about every little detail: when my daughter Maya felt down when she was 2 years old,....many more. Mama Rose is well treated at Baytna. ALLAH Ya3tioun al 3afiyeh the ladies who are helping our elderlies and may God realizes their wishes where ever they go and what ever they do. Mama Rose is the tough woman with a BIG HEART; She is the IMM for talet Dahdouh. She is the person that nobody can forget. She is like the aunt in Summer time who used to work and prepare el mouneh for the winter. She is the PULSE OF THE BLOOD IN OUR VEINE that keeps us we the children of talet Dahdouh resist the hard days of war. we learn how to bake mar'ou', how to mix Zaatar, how to choose the onions, 3adass, hommous...for the mouneh. and in the same time how to be creative and live a nice, good life among the beautiful nature of Dhour and around the cute little garden of hers where she used to plant all kind of flowers with her very artistic way. God give the people a treasure is to get old. and if you really deserve a good life, God provide you lovable people to take care of you. Mama Rose i am happy for you because you are surronded with people like always. You took care of people and God knows that people will take care of you too. Like Victoria was counting the children of the Taleh i will add also all the neighbors who visited your 2ahweh (balcon el jami3)where all the a3yed where celebrated, christmas, easter, ramadan, 3id el fiter, 3id mar el elias, 3id el salib, 3id essaydeh, 3id mar ta2la, 3id el bchara, ....Mama Rose kanet with all the ladies, Najah, my mom, Laurice, Sania , Najek, Salwa, Georgette, 3ala toul hadrin hatta el woulad yikounou mabsoutin , and eat all the desert for every 3id. min Soulaima Hally Ma btinsikeh Posts: 78 | From: 1628 Branham Ln , San Jose, CA 95118 | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
Webmaster Administrator Member # 5   posted 03-24-2005 02:58 PM                       What a nice tribute. Although I do not know Mama Rose, this is an excellent example to acknowledge and honor our elderly while they are still with in body and mind. Would love to see school assignments of young students interviewing their elders, recording their stories and the wealth of information about town and family history and preserve the precious information for future generations. Anwar Posts: 711 | From: San Francisco, California USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged
Soulaima Houcheime Member Member # 127   posted 03-24-2005 04:28 PM                    Anwar Yes, Mama Rose is a good mentor even with her tough ways of given orders, but if you follow her words or ideas, you will realize that she possess the truth with a big heart. with her you close your eyes and follow her step. Losing her left hand didn't keep her without any ambitions. I was amazed how she used make Mehchey Kousa ( Zoukini) and empty the small lebanese Zuccini very well without any holes unlike any other woman with 2 hands if she emptied the zucchini at least 1 or 2 are with holes!!!!  with one hand, Mama Rose was able to do anything she wants. nothing will stop her . God gave us THE MIND TO THINK and to use it very well. HE gave us Two FEET TO STAND UP and KEEP our eyes looking upwards to the BLUE SKY behind the CLouds. GOD creates us this way. if a hand was lost , a foot or a finger or losing sights, the head is always high as our ambition and SPIRIT. Same as MAMA ROSE. She had everything. I admire her. SOULAIMA Posts: 78 | From: 1628 Branham Ln , San Jose, CA 95118 | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
Elias Khonaisser Administrator Member # 21   posted 03-24-2005 07:17 PM                    But of course, however, i call her Tante Rose or Teta Rose. She is tough but has a great heart. Poor Baytna is all i can say  If anyone sees her, give her my very best please. Elias Posts: 1153 | From: Chicago, IL | Registered: Mar 2001  |  IP: Logged
Nabil E. Matar Member Member # 11   posted 03-30-2005 06:29 AM                    This is an email send to me from my good friend Riad Khuneiser Nabil I read what Victoria and Soulaima wrote on the BB about Mama Rose. Please tell them both, I love them for that. This is the kind of writings, which I love to see on the BB. If everyone writes about our good people, simple ones or great, about anything good in our town, and there are plenty, we will be doing much for our young and for ourselves. I wish you could ask Nora to write something about Mama Rose from another corner; "Summer in Dhour El Shweir and a hard working women". This would give an idea about beautiful summers in Dhour and how we all used to earn our living. Posts: 918 | From: Groves, Texas USA | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged
Samar Kiame Member Member # 227   posted 04-06-2005 03:57 AM                    Hello everyone Victoria, Soulaima… me I do not know Mama Rose but after I saw this tribute, actually I said I must do something to make her feel that she is always in the mind. Me I have a grandmother and I love her too much and I know how much these persons need love, make them feel our love… in other words, I printed out your tribute and went to her… _“who are you?” , she asks. ( good question, who am I coming to her, I didn’t saw her before) -“bint Adel Kiame” -“Adel el li7em?” -yes, I’ve bring to you some messages from persons who love you and send you their love and regards. -Please read for me, allah ykhallike While translating, when I arrive to the names named by Victoria that is her who named them all, she named you all and says: “hawdeh wledeh” ( they are my children). Mama Rose (me too I want to call her like this), sends you all the following words: “I want to see you all, I miss you all, I want to hear about your news. Come to see you before I die. I am very sick, I feel the pain in all my body, I am so weak. I want to know how is Nora now, and Soulaima Houchaimeh… I want to see you before I die. Victoria, I love you so. These are my children. That is me who elevated them… I miss you all” When I open the door to leave, she asks me to come back: “do you have their pictures?” _“no” -“tell them to send me their pictures, I want to see them”. Mama Rose send to you all her picture, whatever I talk about this short meeting and what she left in my heart, you, the children of tallet Dahdouh, you will express better then me. There is a History in her memory. Today I am going to visit her again after she asks me to write the translation of this topic and send it to her. If you see this web will be very good to tell her about you, your children, your life, the news that she like to hear about you…, then I am asking you to open a new topic where you write for her and if you give me your trust I will send it to her. Regards Posts: 65 | From: Shweir | Registered: May 2004  |  IP: Logged
George Matar Administrator Member # 4   posted 04-06-2005 07:22 AM                    wonderful, Samar, your are a gem baby. I believe we need to invest in a computer and an internet connection for Baytna, that way pictures, letters, communication can be seen immediate, and hopefully with the help of people like Samar, or volunteers from the High school. Communication with loved ones would be as easy as today's Samar's message Posts: 1971 | From: Houston, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged
Victoria Member Member # 26   posted 04-06-2005 09:44 AM                    Samar, I am so happy that you went to meet Mama Rose - Rose Nasr and she knows me as Ghada Moujaes, bint Nora and Salim. I added Victoria to my name because I was constantly spelling my name and it is not practical at work. Tell Mama Rose that I miss her coffee with hal, when I used to wake up really early to have sibhieh with her, Nour and the other ladies from the building. Also, She would make Mneish with sommak and onion. Yum, Yum. She used to have a gorgeous garden that she used to cultivate with love and plant all kind of flowers and vegetables around our khaymeh. Mama Rose used to start her summer as early as April. Why, she would move in to start the garden and little by little, each weekend all of the tenants of binayet Salim & Nora would spend their weekends by May, we all would be driving back and forth from Beirut each day to school. Spring and Easter would jump start it all too and Mom would make brioche and petit-fours. There were rituals all year long, even in September when the Moms would prepare the Mouneh and Mama Rose would have already found the best prices for: Onion from Tarshish, Garlic from deir shoumrah, burgul from Yazbeck, fruits for compote and mrabah, but no one made rob banadourah except for Jiddo Dahdouh. Teta and Jiddo Bou Najib would make lahmeh bi dehn and as they cooked it, they would put potatoes in the jamr and what can I say; YUMMMY.... Samar, I send a lot of kisses to Mama Rose to all the elderly of Dhour Shweir and please tell them that no matter where we travel all of the moughtaribin have memories like mine and these are the loving memories that keep us alive in the ghorbeh. Even remembering every argument bring smiles to all of us in this ghorbeh. Also, please remind Mama Rose how all of the kids use to run around the building screaming and repeating "Mama Rose Maghloubeh",when she lost a hand of tarnib, Thanks to our coach Elie Abou Rizk. Mama Rose was an avid Tarnib player. Do they have Tarnib tournaments in Baytan? Love, (Victoria) Ghada Salim Moujaes-Mapar These are all memories engrained in my heart and my mind. Posts: 287 | From: San Jose, CA, USA | Registered: Mar 2001  |  IP: Logged
Soulaima Houcheime Member Member # 127   posted 04-06-2005 10:16 AM                    Ya Samar God give you strength!!! i can add to Victoria (Ghada) that your email touch deep in my heart The Story of Mama Rose is as simple as you see, lot of CARE, TRUST, LOVE, SINCERITY, ....AND A LIFE IN A PURE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, I cannot explain it more because it was almost our daily life. The people who understand it have to be a part of our life. we witnessed the best childhood on the talet Dahdouh i wish this kind of life for the 2nd generation to come away from the modern plastic snobbish materialistic feelings. Mama Rose Maghloubeh!!in cards but never away from our heart because she is a real GHALBEH (winner) Samar my best regards to you !!!! Thank you Posts: 78 | From: 1628 Branham Ln , San Jose, CA 95118 | Registered: Jun 2002  |  IP: Logged
Frankie Goodson Member Member # 111   posted 04-06-2005 12:51 PM                    This is the most wonderful story I have ever heard! Tell her I love her too. My grandmother came from Shweir(I think.) Would it be possible that she might have known her? Anyway, I am adding her to my family. My grandmother's name was Saida (Awad) Abraham Makhoul. Posts: 204 | From: Little Rock, AR. USA | Registered: Apr 2002  |  IP: Logged
Nabil E. Matar Member Member # 11   posted 04-07-2005 06:42 AM                    Dear Samar, Ya Ammo you are really some thing and Adel ought to be proud to have such a wonderful daughter. I can’t wait to go to Shweir and see you in person God bless you ya ammo [ 04-07-2005, 06:42 AM: Message edited by: Nabil E. Matar ] Posts: 918 | From: Groves, Texas USA | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged
Webmaster Administrator Member # 5   posted 04-07-2005 02:04 PM                       Samar, you are a jewel. Samar sent pictures that I posted on the Family Tree web page: To see pictures of Mama Rose, click: http://www.shweir.com/family_tree.htm#Rose%20Nasr Anwar Posts: 711 | From: San Francisco, California USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged
Habeeb M. Nacol Member Member # 15   posted 04-08-2005 08:21 AM                    Who said that is no greatness left in Shweir? Mama Rose is a living proof that all is well with us. What greater legacy one can leave that is better than what mama Rose is leaving. Look at the wonderful testimony that is given to her above. Personally, this thread, as far as I am concerned has touched the inner soul more than any other thread that I have read in this marvelous web page. Thank you Victoria for starting it, and Samar, you are absolutely wonderful. Please Samar tell Mamma Rose that this Child of Birj Dahdooh is so sorry that he grew up, left, and missed being one of her children. I guess I have to be satisfied by having the privilege and honor of just knowing her. This in itself is such a wonderful gift. God bless you mamma Rose. Habeeb ibn Victoria. Posts: 803 | From: Beaumont, Texas, U.S.A. | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged
Elias Khonaisser Administrator Member # 21   posted 04-08-2005 08:25 AM                    Guys, I belive Samar has earned Shweirieh of the month award. Very nice Samar, bravo 3layke  Elias Posts: 1153 | From: Chicago, IL | Registered: Mar 2001  |  IP: Logged
George Matar Administrator Member # 4   posted 04-09-2005 08:54 PM                    This is best post of the year so far, the way it started and the way Samar brought it full circle. It does not get any better than this. I am sure this has brought happiness to so many people.... After all this is what this web page is all about, and this is exactly how to utilize it... Well done Posts: 1971 | From: Houston, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged
Samar Kiame Member Member # 227   posted 04-11-2005 12:12 AM                    Mama Rose, again and again, sends you her motherly love and ask about you one by one, her heart go to her children and specified Khaldoun and Fayez and Mourhaf asking to see their faces. Victoria, Mama Rose remember every word you wrote, every detail; the mouneh, the tarneeb everything… she don’t stop asking me when I will come back and bring her more from you. Soulayma and Nora; Mama rose says to you that she miss you. 3ammo Habeeb, Mama Rose remember you after I told her you are ibn Victoria and she remember all of the mosta’grine and ask if I know anything about them, your words ineter directly to her heart. Frankie; Mama Rose do not know your grand mother but she is happy that you add her to your family tree, and says that she love you too. ------------------------------------------------ What a wonderful experience I am living in this issue, where the sense of the Humanity enter your heart and you feel yourself very close from the a honest love, a love that we need it especially now with our young people. The words that are coming from Mama Rose start from her heart, when she says I miss you, she say it from all her heart. An experience with an old person like a child who do not know anything about the technology so he asks you: “from where you bring to me all of these messages?” And here you become perturb and don’t know how to explain so you answer: “it is a place like the post and where everyone can write and read…” What a beautiful past, unfortunately, we have nothing from it! Honest people with honest feelings! A civilization very close from the nature in the edge of destroying! Victoria and Soulaima… please talk to me more about that lost life, The problem of the young generation is not that they do not know how to be honest, the problem is that these days and this civilization do not present to them just what is ugly. Regards Posts: 65 | From: Shweir | Registered: May 2004  |  IP: Logged
George Matar Administrator Member # 4   posted 04-11-2005 12:58 AM                    This keep getting better and better.. My Suggestion of adding an Computer with internet connection at Baytna still stands.... That way you don't have to tell her where the news are coming from... but rather show her. There are many with stories like Mama Rose in Shweir, some how we need to open up this corridor...... Because few years from now, we could be the ones telling our stories to some one as wonderful as Sammoura Posts: 1971 | From: Houston, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged

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Violette Dawoud Shaya Khnaisser
Widow of the late Shafiq Jurdack

It is with great sadness we announce the passing away of my cousin Violette. 

May your soul rest in peace and your memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all the related families.

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Royda "Ruwayda" Edmond Halaby

The above was the sign that was displayed at her shop, the former ABC store

It is with great sadness we announce the passing away of a beloved lady, a wonderful mother, and an artist in so many fields. Ruwayda Edmond Halaby, we will miss you very much.  May your soul rest in peace and your memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all the related families.

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Haleem Rasheed Nebhan Moujaes

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all the related families.

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Zalfa Aziz Al Halabi

May her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Halabi and related families.

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Giselle Ernest Mousawar

May her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Mousawar and related families.

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Farid Naamatallah Sabbagh
October 8, 2005

May his memory be eternal

On behalf of the Shweir.com family, we offer our deepest condolences to the Sabbagh and related families.

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Rasheed Rasheed Jerdak

May his memory be eternal

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Jerdak and related families.

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Michel Bchara Baaklini
September 14, 2005

May his memory be eternal

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Baaklini and related families.

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Jamil Najib Iskandar Eid Kenicer
September 10, 2005

May his memory be eternal

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Eid Kenicer and related families.

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Michel Iskandar Jirdak
August 26, 2005

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Jirdak and related families.

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Silvy Asaad Eid Khnaiser
August 21, 2005

May her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Khnaisser and related families.

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Georgette Abi Nader Khneisser Shehayed

1928 - August 15, 2005

It is with great sadness to announce the passing of our beloved Mother and Sister Georgette Bou-Nader Khneisser, widow of Salim Shehayed in Dhour Shweir on the feast of the “Assumption of Mary” August 15, 2005.

 Georgette, born in Shweir 1928, daughter of Tanios and Najibe Bou-Nader Khneisser, sister of Yvonne, Najib, Jamil, Joseph, Marie and Sylvie. Georgette widow of Salim Shehayed and mother of Nasrallah, Nabil, Nadim and Nader. Georgette lived her life in prayers and motherhood in Shweir, Dubai, New Jersey and California.

Funeral is on Wednesday August 17 at 6:00 p.m. in Mar Boutross church in Shweir.

Condolences will be on Wednesday and Thursday at Mar Boutross hall in Shweir from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  

For those who have left Shweir long ago, you may remember Geogette's sister, Yvonne who was the telephone switchboard operator and she was Shweir's link to the outside world.

Condolences can also be offered to her son Nader (in code to minimize spam):  nader ( at ) gdbms ( dot ) com

May her memory be Eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Jamil Asaad Eid Khonaisser
July 17, 2005 in Edmonton, Canada

Master of Saif oo Terse, click here to read more about Jamil, 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather Jamil on July 17, 2005.

Jamil was born in Shweir, Lebanon on May 5, 1934. He was predeceased by his parents Assaad Salim Khonaisser and Faridee Baaklini. Lovingly remembered by his wife Leila; his children Assaad (Maria), Salim (Wendy), Samar (James) Baker and Lisa Khonaisser, grandchildren Marina, DeAngelo, Kiana, Kevin, Noah and Hannah. Also survived by his siblings Sylvie, wife of Joseph Abou-Rizk, Emile Assaad Khonaisser and Leila, wife of Najib Sawaya. He will be remembered for his nurturing and loving nature as a husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be greatly missed.

Prayer on Friday, July 22, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Good Help Church, 9809-76 Ave., Edmonton where the Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2005 at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Our Lady of Good Help Church.

Appel Funeral Home/Central Memorial Chapel,  10530-116 St., Edmonton 454-8088
"Our Family Serving Your Family"  -  www.appelfuneralhome.com

 condolences to his son Salim:   samkhon (AT) telus (DOT) net

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Sheikh Jamil Jamil Houbeika
July 13, 2005 in Shweir

Last year, Sheikh Jamil Houbika was honored by the President and received highest civil award:

"وسام الاستحقاق اللبناني المذهّب للمرؤة و الشرف"

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Naufa Hanna Khnaisser, (Im Ghanem)
May 27, 2005

Memories Of Tayta Nofa

 I’ll never forget who you are; you are my shining star. 
 When you held me in your arms you always kept me safe from harm;
I’ll never forget your smiling face it takes me back to that special place,
the place where childhood memories are made; where happy visions never fade.  
When the smell of gardenias filled the room, I turned around and there was you;
the love that stemmed from your heart touched our lives from the start;
even with sorrow and grief, you greeted each day; like a light guiding the way. 
Your strength and dignity set you apart from all of those who’ve touched my heart. 
At nightfall your cries were heard, cries for your son who was taken from this world.  
Now that you are laid to rest, may god bless your heart;
rest in peace my shining star, your light will shine very far.

Written By:  Helena and Nicole Ataya (Granddaughters of Nofa Hanna Khenaisser, Daughters of Antoine Yunis Ataya and Elham Khenaisser)

If people wish to send their condolences they may do so at my oldest sister Gladys' e-mail at < conroy10 (at) juno (dot) com >.  

May her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Khnaisser and related families.

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Antoine Boutros Baaklini

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Najibeh Wakim Saliba,

Widow of Asaad Ghnatious Sawaya

May her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Halim Gerges Bou Samra

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Joseph Hanna Baaklini

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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George Elias Corban

Passed away on April 16, 2005

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Georgette M. Moubarak
April 17, 2005

With great sorrow I inform you the loss of  Mrs. Georgette M. Moubarak, widow of the late well known Shweiry,  Mr. Iskander Harik, mother of Dr. Sami, Dr. Ra'yeda, Mr. Mansour and Miss May,  who died yesterday at Baytna after spending her last  months between Shweirieh relatives and friends.

Baytna, is the place where the Iskander Harik Family wanted their mother to stay between Shweirieh in Shweir, the town that they love most. They used to come from the States and other far places, often to visit her and be with her.  Students of Shweir Secondary School who are my age remember the lovely man, Mr. Iskander Harik, who used to come in some afternoons with his motion picture projector to show us educational films, when this was something new at schools.

Mrs. Moubarak Harik will be buried in Shweir tomorrow, Apr. 19, 2005 after the Services which will be held at Mar Georges Church at 4:00pm Condolences:  Before and After funeral at Mar Georges Salon and on the 20th and 21st of Apr. at Saydet Al Niah Salon, Mekhoul St. Ras Beirut.

On behalf of BAYTNA we offer our deepest condolences to all of Moubarak & Harik family members,
May her soul rest in peace and her memory be eternal.

Riad

May her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

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Istaz Emile Espiridon Abu Haidar
Passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2005

For related information, click below to read posts on the Shweir Bulletin Board
http://www.shweir.com/cgi-bin/bboard/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001490#000011

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Samir Jamil Kiamy
February 17, 2005

-----Original Message-----
From: Riad Khunieser
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 10:20 PM
Subject: Samir Kiamy

With deep sorrow I inform you the loss of one Shwiery we all know and love:  SAMIR JAMIL KIAMY
May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

Riad

May his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to the Kiamy family.

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December 12, 2004
Naim Mitry Bou-Zeid

Author	Topic: in Memory of Naim Bou-Zeid
Silva Awad Bou-Zeid Member Member # 263   posted 12-20-2004 07:07 AM                    It is with deepest regret to announce that my father-in-law Naim Mitry Bou-Zeid has passed away on Sunday at 3:00AM, 12.12.2004 in Hospital after suffering and beating the illness with silent. Husband of Samira, Father of George, Hanna, Jacqueline and Elie. Brother of Halim, Karim, Zarifé, Mona, Leila, Violette, (Rida and Mélanie passed away long time ago). Grandfather of Cesar, Marilyn, Vanessa Bou-Zeid and Rackel, Rawan & Antoun Abdel-Khalek. May God rest his soul for he will always remain in our hearts and May his memory be eternal. Funeral Service: The funeral was on Sunday 12 December at 03:00 PM in Mar Jeryess church in Shweir. Condolences: was at Mar Jeryess Church Hall -Shweir on Monday and Tuesday from 10:00 AM till 08:00PM To express your condolences via email: Please send to: Georges Bou-Zeid: silva_awad@hotmail.com or geo_sil@yahoo.com Posts: 1 | From: Lebanon | Registered: Dec 2004  |  IP: Logged
Nabil E. Matar Member Member # 11   posted 12-20-2004 08:53 AM                    Dear Silva, I Just discovered the news in the BB about the death of my good friend Naim. Naim was a good friend and a school mate when we were in Shweir Secondary School. On behalf of me and the Shweir.com family, we extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to you, your husband, his brothers and sisters Halim, Karim, Zarifé, Mona, Leila, Violette and all Bou-Zeid family. May God rest his soul in peace, Allah yurhamo Posts: 882 | From: Groves, Texas USA | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all his family members, may his memory be eternal.

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Mona Nehme Wife of Johnny Hobeika
October 25, 2004

-----Original Message-----
From: rouba khairallah     krouba  @  hotmail.com
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2004 11:11 PM
Subject: Urgent: For Our Beloved Mona JOHN Hobeika

It is with deepest regret to announce that our beloved Mona Nehme Wife of Johny Hobeika has passed away on Monday 25.10.2004 in Hospital.

Through her suffering and strength she gave us all a reason to hope again in life.

May God rest her soul for she will always remain in our hearts and with all those who knew her.

Funeral Service:  The funeral will be tomorrow Wednesday at 4 in Mar Jeryess church in Shweir.

May her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all the Nehme and Hobeika families.

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September 21, 2004
Emily Nassar Rahbani

May her soul rest in peace and her memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all the Nassar and Rahbani and their extended family members.

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August 9, 2004
Fares George Zaidan Rahbani (Abu Sultan)

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all his family members, may his memory be eternal.

Anne (Annie) Dallal Tabsharani Madson,

33 years young - died of car accident in Santa Rosa, California
Wife of Daryl Madson, Mother to Connor 4, Christopher 2
Daughter of Norma & Joseph Deeb Tabsharani
Oldest sister to Kameel, Feryal and Amal

Funeral services - Church and Cemetery are at the same location:
Pleasant Hill Memorial Park, 1700 Pleasant Hill Rd , Sebastopol, CA
Viewing and condolences:  Friday, July 16, 2004 Between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. 
Funeral and Burial:  Saturday July 17, 11:00 a.m.
Condolences:  After funeral, at Annie & Daryl's home:  7960 Valentine Ave, Sebastopol.

Anne passed away on Saturday July 10, 2004 due to a fatal car accident.  
Her family will deeply miss her and she will always be loved and remembered. 
Anne always tried to make everyone happy and always had a smile on her face.
She will never be forgotten and her family feels empty without her.

Yes, we are going to miss that loving smile...

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our  deepest condolences to
Daryl Madson, Connor and Christopher, to Annie's parents, Norma & Joseph Deeb Tabsharani
to her brother Kameel, her sisters Feryal and Amal,
and to all the Tabsharani family in California, Shweir and around the world.  
May her soul rest in peace and her memory be eternal.
 

Souheil (Tony) Albert Baaklini
May 18, 1964 - June 28, 2004
Son of the late Albert Baaklini and the late Elaine (Michel Shaya Khnaisser) Baaklini
Brother to Samih Baaklini and Samar (Baaklini) El Khoury

40 day Memorial on Saturday July 31
At Our Lady of the Cedars,
11935 Bellfort Village, Houston, Texas, USA

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday afternoon at Al Saydeh Maronite Church in Dhour
Condolences:  Dhour Choueir Hotel on Friday and Saturday afternoons   

It is with the deepest sorrow we inform you the unexpected and sudden death of one of our young and fine gentleman Suheil Albert Baaklini.  Suheil, Shweirieh know him as Tony, is the youngest child of the late Albert and Ellen Baaklini, he is survived by his brother Samih and Sister Samar and their families.  
We have talked to both Samih and Samar and they are in shock, they barely have recovered from the death of their father and Uncle Abdo, November 9th & 11th 2003 respectively.  (See announcements below).  One month ago, Tony's cousin, Nancy Joseph Baaklini, wife of George Eid, 39 years young, died of cancer. 

Tony had two degrees, one in computer technology and the other in accounting.  He was working in Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai and was looking forward to come to USA to visit his brother and sister.  After waiting three years for a visa, he got word that his papers were ready.  So he flew from Dubai to Lebanon on June 27.  His cousin, Wissam Khnaisser, picked him up from the airport.  They a nice dinner.  The next day, he drove to Saha in Dhour, stopped near the Bank and Carnivale Restaurant, fell to the ground and died.  He was 5 minutes away from meeting for the first time his nephews, Samih and Dolly's children, who bear his late parents names:  Albert and Eliane. 

Tony just turned 40 a few days ago, he was in good health and no symptoms of any illness. 

Life sometimes unfairly deals us the worst of hands and the Baaklinis surely do not deserve this, but God has his plans and only our strength carry us through.  May God Give the Baaklini the strength and faith to pass this very sad ordeal.
Please join the Shweir.com family in praying and offering our deepest condolences to Samih, and Samar, their families and to members of the Baaklini Family.
May Suheil (Tony) memory be eternal and may God grant the Baaklini Family peace and comfort, they indeed had their share of tragedies these few months. As we right this, Samih is on an airplane from Texas to Shweir.

To express your condolences via email:  Please send to:
Samih Baaklini:                          albdol@ sbcglobal.net           Read Note below
Samar (Baaklini) El Khoury:  .    JAAlkhoury@ hotmail.com   Read Note below
NOTE:  To avoid spam or the harvesting of email addresses for junk mail, we added a  space after the "@" please make sure to delete that space to make the email address valid. 

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our  deepest condolences to
Samih and Dolly Baaklini and their children:  Albert and Eliane, and to
Samar and Antoine el Khoury and their son Joesph
and all members of the Baaklini family and extended family.
May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

Khalil Salim Moujaes

-----Original Message-----
From: Matar, George
Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 1:49 PM
Subject: Khalil Salim Moujaes ( - 2004)

Dear Shweirieh

It is with great sorrow that I inform you the loss of one of our great Shweiries, Khalil Salim Moujaes. Khalil is survived by his Wife Souad sons, Dr. Salim (Chicago) Habib, Ghassan, & Aziz and daughter Merlyn and many grandchildren.

Khalil did not leave us without landmarks and wonderful memories he was simply great for Dhour Shweir. Among many things, he opened Cinema Roxy, and brought to Mount Lebanon the first Bowling alley.  When movies were no longer viable for the building, he converted the Cinema into a successful clothing factory. In 2002, Khalil and his sons were awarded an Shweir.com Entrepreneur Achievement Award for their continuing support of Shweir.

I have a special love for my cousin Khalil, he always treated me as if I was one of his own and up to last year he kept call me Joujou, he is and will always be one of the most interesting people I have ever met.  My deepest condolences to his Family, may he rest in peace

George

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our
 deepest condolences to all of Moujaes family members, may his memory be eternal.

Picture on right above was taken in 2002 where Khalil received the "Entrepreneur Achievement Award".

Today, George Matar called to alert me to the sad news of Khalil passing.  He also reminded me of some posts from last year that were written about Khalil.  I trust it will be ok for me to post them here, otherwise, please let me know.  If a member of the family wish to add text, picture or modify the announcement, please let me know.

The following are excerpts about Khalil from Shweir.com Bulletin Board: 

Author	Topic: who is or was your role model , and why??
Grace Member Member # 81   posted 02-24-2003 07:02 PM                       I will share mine last...  Posts: 38 | From: Canton, Mi | Registered: Nov 2001  |  IP: Logged
Webmaster Administrator Member # 5   posted 02-27-2003 12:06 PM                       Grace, you sure opened up some memories with that question: Khalil Salim Moujaes. Shortly after my father died, I decided to work during summer recess. My first choice was to work at Cinema Roxy… as part of the bonus is that I get to watch a movie each day. They featured a different film each day to keep high level of attendance. Khalil gave me the job on the spot. I was about 12 years young and for three consecutive summers I learned to do multiple tasks from cleaning the Cinema to selling ice cream and soft drinks, ticket taker, to assisting the projector operator, Samii when he needed a break. Khalil was an entrepreneurial maverick. He was very creative. Aside from the administrative aspect of running the business with his dad, Salim, he was a hands on kind of person. He knew how to operate, fix and/or improvise every aspect of the operation. Early in the morning, he went to Beirut to get new films. Each day, we needed to place posters and pictures of the new film for that day and the next on wooden boards. He showed me how to position the pictures for maximum impact, even the selection of background color paper and the angle of placing the wooden board. Yes, some of that stayed with me where I am applying it on this web. If you like the design of the web, thank Khalil – he may not know it, but indirectly, he played a part. When we had a popular movie, it was scheduled for Sunday. If it was supper hot, like “Les Miserables”, “Guns of Navarone”, “Summer Place”, “The Magnificent Seven”, “the Hunchback of Notre Dame” we featured them for two and sometimes three days. To advertise these movies in neighboring town, Khalil, Bahij Sawaya and few other older (than I) helpers, (occasionally they let me go with them) to plaster posters on posts and walls. For glue, we used a bucket of homemade boiled starch, (Nasha) and applied nasha with a paint brush so the poster will stick. We had to complete the task before the nasha got cold, because it became lumpy and hard to spread then. I got excited when Khalil discussed inventory needs with me and brought new inventory like fancy chocolate and other sundries that I never seen before... it was around that time that Canada Dry introduced over a dozen flavors… I learned which products sell better so we can order more of them… These experiences gave me an early glimpse about marketing and salesmanship. The last summer I worked there, Khalil utilized the roofs over the adjacent stores to build open air bowling alleys… It was the first of its kind in Dhour. It was manual reload… I learned how to operate it and reload in record time… I was so impressed with how Khalil brought that from America and put it together and created the manual mechanism in record time. From a family standpoint, I remember Khalil’s dad Salim. He beamed with dignity and pride when things were going well. Also Khalil’s kids then, they were so well behaved… even when they came to watch a movie they were so well dressed and set a model for their generation. I sure learned a lot from working at Cinema Roxy, from my working with Khalil to meeting people, watching a movie (mostly American) each night and at the end of the evening while I walked home from Dhour to Shweir, I listened to great live band music emanating from Hawi and Nasr Cafes, and enjoying that nice fresh pine scented air. The music usually began to fade a few hundred meters past (Koo3 Harf Mrad)… If any of you saw the Movie, “Cinema Paradiso”, that is as close as I can describe to you by identifying with the kid in that movie. Khalil, thank you for the opportunity you gave me and gave to many others. Thank you for being a great role model. We love you. Anwar Posts: 427 | From: San Francisco, California USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged

George Matar Administrator Member # 4

posted 02-27-2003 03:43 PM                    Ya Anwar, that is exactly why Khalil Salim Moujaes was awarded the Business Achievement award last summer... See the system did not forget him. And you forgot to mention that when the movie was oversold we use to bring extra chairs from our house that was across that little street to the Jwaizee. There is no doubt in my mind that the 50's and 60's were the golden years of Dhour Shweir. You mentioned His kids in your thread, well Khalil treated me like one of his own. I also attended every single film in the summer along with Salim, Habib, Elie Sawaya and we sat on the 7th row during the 3:00 PM showing then went and reenacted the movie. And yes who can forget the boy behind the concession stand!!!!!! You are so right though, Cousin Khalil had a lot of influence on my growing up too. I love that man.   Posts: 1083 | From: Houston, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged

Nabil E. Matar Member Member # 11   posted 02-28-2003 12:41 PM                    As for you Anwar, I use to envy, you, George and Habib. You use to get inside the theater free while I will be standing in front of pictures board outside with a 3shr aroosh (10 cents) in my pocket, hoping that khal Salim god rest his soul will noticed me and let me in. Posts: 463 | From: Groves, Texas USA | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged

Webmaster Administrator Member # 5   posted 02-28-2003 04:30 PM                       George, you got us inspired by your sharing, thanks. And yes, when we had sold out events, we brought chairs as you said. Oh, we can make a sahra talking about Cinema Roxy... Lets do that this summer in Shweir... Yes, the early to mid 60's were special and full of special memory... and yes, now you mention it ya Nabil, Salim Moujaes was a very generous and loving man... I remember how many young people like you Nabil who timed their arrival to the lobby of Cinema Roxy when Salim was there... they got it down to a science, they will wait until the rush to buy tickets was over, the film already started and Salim took a leisurely walk around the lobby. He had that big heart, could tell from their body language, read their mind and before they even ask, Salim would let them in for free... Looking back to those days, bring a smile to my face. Anwar Posts: 427 | From: San Francisco, California USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged

Habeeb M. Nacol Member Member # 15   posted 02-28-2003 08:26 PM                    Anwar really touched a nerve in me because your childhood experience at the Roxy and mine were almost identical. We are both graduates of that institute, and there is a big spot in my heart for that theater. Although I have in my heart very thankful to my cousin Khalil and to my Uncle Saleem, I have been derelict in telling them how grateful I am for the opportunities that they provided me. Looking back, I am certain now that by their allowing me to work at the Roxie, they had tremendously, like you ya Anwar, influenced what I am today. I could with certainty say that had I not worked there, I would not been given the chance to come to the U.S. Anwar, my roads crossed with Khalil few years later in Port Arthur. Khalil came and lived there a year or so, and we became much closer. I remember very well when he was looking for a bowling system to purchase. A friend of ours directed him to a town in west Texas named Del Rio. I still, for the life of me, cannot figure how Khalil managed to ship all these equipment and get it to Dhour. But as you said, he was and probably still is so resourceful and amazing. I could write all night about Khalil, but I want to close by saying I love you ya Abu Sallouma. Posts: 426 | From: Beaumont, Texas, U.S.A. | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged

Webmaster Administrator Member # 5   posted 03-01-2003 11:12 PM                       With every one of your sharing, brings more vivid memories back, oh yes those experiences have made a profound effect on shaping our future and our lives... I feel we are more caring, loving, compassionate because of those wonderful people who showed us by example... Remember some time ago, we had a virtual Sahra remembering stories about Cafe Nasr with Elias Nasr Khnaser in Chicago and Klee in Australia and many others Shweir and around the world? Well how about an encore, this time, a virtual Sahra about Cinema Roxy... I bet we can write a book... to be continued... stay tuned... Anwar Posts: 427 | From: San Francisco, California USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged

Michel Yousef Kiamy

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our
 deepest condolences to all of Michel Kiamy family members, may his memory be eternal.

Nadim Rashid Nasr Khnaisser

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our
 deepest condolences to all of Nadim's family members, may his memory be eternal.

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December 2003
Benin plane crash claims 4 w/ Shweir connection
Ghassan El-Chayeb, (son of Almaze Touma Sawaya & Antoun El-Chayeb),
his daughter Rita Faddoul, his son in law Mickael Faddoul
and Mickael's mother Jacqueline Faddoul.

It is with great sorrow that I announce the death of my cousin Ghassan El-Chayeb, his daughter Rita Faddoul, his son in law Mickael Faddoul and Mickael's mother Jacqueline Faddoul.

They were among the passengers who were killed in the Benin plane crash on December 26th 2003.

Ghassan is survived by his wife Huguette, his son Tony and his daughter Maya.
Rita and Michael leave behind two young children:  Antoine Zouheir, 5 years and Maria Rebecca, 2+  years.

My cousin Ghassan El-Chayeb was the son of Almaze Touma Sawaya and Antoun El-Chayeb from Mheydseh, Bikfaya.

Ghassan Zghaib

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all affected family members, may their memory be eternal. May their soul rest in peace.

What a tragic disaster.  Our hearts and prayers go out to those who lost loved ones and especially to the TWO CHILDREN WHO LOST BOTH PARENTS! 

When we count our blessings, let us remember those who are less fortunate and see how we can help in time of need.

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November 2003
Robert Anis Eid Khuniesser
Australia

I am very sad to announce the sudden and early unexpected death of a young Shweiry Moughtareb in Australia my cousin, ROBERT ANIS EID KHUNIESSER. A handsome sweet and passionate young gentleman in his late thirties. He is the brother of Nabil, Ibrahim, Jihad and Ramzy. All of them were very young when left Shweir to Australia with their father and mother during the bad days in Lebanon. Robert is unmarried. He was found dead in his house, when his brothers were looking for him after missing his presence for three, four days. A young athletic, who had done a good carrier in business.
We have lost a very dear cousin, whom until now we don't believe that he left without saying a word.

May his angel soul rest in peace between the hands of our LORD and his memory be eternal in Shweir and Australia.

Riad

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all his family members, may his memory be eternal.

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November 11, 2003
 Abdo Iskandar Baaklini

In Lake George, Upstate New York

Private Service and Burial on Saturday in Lake George. 

Public memorial services in New York and Lebanon will be announced soon.

More information will be updated as soon as we receive it.

The Obituary below is from the www.timesunion.ocm with the following link: 

http://www.legacy.com/timesunion-albany/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=1597652

Abdo I. Baaklini Ph.D.
LAKE GEORGE:   Abdo I. Baaklini, Ph.D., 65, of Lake Shore Drive, died Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at Glens Falls Hospital, following a long illness. Born March 7, 1938 in Dhour Shweir, Lebanon, he was the son of Iskandar A. Baaklini and Sadah Yacoub Baaklini. Professor Baaklini received a B.A. (with honors) and a M.P.A. in public administration from the American University of Beirut as well as an M.A. and a Ph.D. in political science from the University at Albany, SUNY. His dissertation is titled Legislatures and Political Development: Lebanon 1840-1970. Dr. Baaklini was the director of the Center for Legislative Development (CLD), Nelson A. Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy for the University at Albany, State University of New York (SUNY). The Center was founded more than 30 years ago to help build and strengthen legislative institutions worldwide. Professor Baaklini received numerous grants and contracts from U.S. federal agencies (i.e., U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), United States Information Agency (USIA), National Science Foundation (NSF))to research, design and implement projects to strengthen and promote viable democratic systems and good governance in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. His areas of expertise included legislative administration and policy, development and international administration, comparative politics and administration, public management and organizational theory. Professor Baaklini's teaching areas included organizational theory, public management, comparative politics and administration, development and international administration and legislative administration. He traveled extensively and spoke several languages including Arabic, French, Portuguese and Spanish. Dr. Baaklini published numerous books as well as edited books, chapters in books and journal articles. His most recent publications were Legislative Politics in the Arab World: The Resurgence of Democratic Institutions; CLD: Global Report on the Lebanon Relief and Redevelopment Project; The Brazilian Legislature and Political System; The Politics of Legislation in New York State: How A Bill Becomes a Law; Legislative and Political Development: Lebanon, 1842 to 1972; and Viable Constitutionalism and Democratic Political Stability. Additionally, he presented over 40 papers at professional conferences. During his career, Professor Baaklini was employed as a personnel specialist for the American University of Beirut in Lebanon; as an instructor at the Teacher's Training College, Amara, Iraq; and a program officer-academic advisor and project director with the American Embassy, USAID, Regional Training Office, American University of Beirut, Lebanon. Professor Baaklini held a number of positions at the University at Albany starting with his being the associate director of the Comparative Development Studies Center (the predecessor of the Center for Legislative Development) at the University at Albany (UA/SUNY) in 1972. He joined the University at Albany's Department of Public Administration as an assistant professor and became a full professor in 1994. He chaired the department during 1989 to 90. He became the acting director of the Comparative Development Studies Center (CDSC) in 1977 and its director in 1978. He directed the International Development Program from 1982 to 1990 and had directed the Center for Legislative Development since 1990. Dr. Baaklini organized conferences and chaired panels in the U.S., Middle East, Europe, South and Central America and Asia. He created and implemented over 75 seminars and workshops for legislators; consulted for U.S. federal agencies (AID, USIS, NSF) and with the governments of Brazil, Costa Rica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Yemen, Korea, Morocco, Haiti, Nicaragua, Egypt and several West African states regarding legislative development and other developmental issues. He founded COVICO (Committee on Viable Constitutionalism) with Professor Emeritus Fred Riggs of the University of Hawaii and attended the first COVICO Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii. His other professional activities are too numerous to list. Dr. Baaklini's professional affiliations included the American Society of Public Administration, the American Political Science Association, the International Studies Association, the Middle East Studies Association, the Middle East Institute, the Organization for the Promotion of Social Sciences in the Middle East and the International Political Science Association. Dr. Baaklini was a frequent public lecturer at various universities in the U.S. and overseas and gave interviews on radio and TV and in the local press regarding international issues affecting the U.S., particularly concerning the Middle East. The University at Albany recently honored Dr. Baaklini with the first Rockefeller College Lifetime Achievement Award and presented him with a Rockefeller College Medallion. Dr. Baaklini was predeceased by his parents, Iskandar A. Baaklini and Sadah Yacoub Baaklini; one brother, Albert Baaklini; and one sister, Nouha Baaklini. He is survived by his wife, Rehab Karami Baaklini and their two children, daughter, Sadah, and son, George Baaklini of Lake George; his former wife, Soumaya Baaklini, and their two sons, Farid and Iskandar Baaklini of Albany; and a stepdaughter, Sarah and stepson, Jade Belhumeur of Lake George; three brothers, Shibil Baaklini and his wife and children of Houston, Texas; Joseph Baaklini and his wife and children of Dhour Shweir, Lebanon; George Baaklini and his wife of Palm Beach, Fla.; three sisters, Laya Baaklini Moujaes and children (husband deceased) of Dhour Shweir, Lebanon; Mary Baaklini Dagher and her husband and children of Dhour Shweir, Lebanon; and Najla Baaklini Rahbani and her children (husband deceased) of Houston, Texas. Private calling hours will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday at Stafford Funeral Home, Inc., 90 Montcal St., Lake George. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Mohican Street, Lake George, with the Rev. Joseph O'Brien officiating. A Rite of Committal will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, Main Street, South Glens Falls. A memorial service for Dr. Baaklini will be held at the University of Albany, to be announced at a later date, and also in Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Dr. Baaklini's memory to:  Glens Falls Hospital Cancer Center, 100 Park St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101. Published in the Albany Times Union on 11/13/2003.
Guest Book • Flowers & gifts • Charities

The above links will be active for about two weeks.

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all the affected families, may his memory be eternal.

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November 9, 2003
Albert Iskandar Baaklini 

In Houston, Texas, father of Samih, Samar & Souheil (Tony),
Widower of the late Elaine Baaklini, (daughter of Michel Shaya Khnaisser)
His brothers:  Chebil, Joseph, Abdo & George Baaklini
His sisters:  Laya, Widow of Wadih Elias Moujaes;  Marie, wife of Sleiman Dagher; & Najla, widow of Beshara Rahbani.

Tuesday, Nov 11: 
Funeral Home:  Settegast Kops, 3320 Kirby Dr. in Houston.  Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Services will be held at the Lady of Cedars Church, at 59th and W. Bellford in Houston at 7:00 p.m.

Service:  4:00 p.m. on Saturday Nov 15, at Mar Abda Church in Shweir, Burial there after.

Condolences:  Dhour Choueir Hotel, Saturday after Burial, and Sunday 10-5

Burial will be in Shweir, towards the end of the week, subject to scheduling with airlines.

For those who wish to express their Condolences, please send emails to Albert's son, Samih at the following email address:    albdol @ sbcglobal.net   -  . (Please note that this email has a spaces before and after the "@" for privacy to minimize Spam, please delete that spaces in order to make it a valid email address) 

More information will be updated as soon as we receive it.
The candid picture on the right was taken from the Texas web page of the Shweir on the Beach 2000 event, See  http://www.shweir.com/texas.htm 
The group picture on top left was taken in 1962 or '63:  L-R:  Abdo, Chebl, Iskandar, Albert and Samih.  If the family wishes to add to or replace the picture and/or text, , please email the data to me.

Samih has been one of the founding members of the Shweir.com family. 

Shweir.com family offers our deepest condolences to Alberts children: Samih, Samar and Souheil and to Ablert's brothers, sisters, their families and to members of Baaklini, Khnaisser, Khoury, Bhamdouni, Bikhaazi, Karami, Moujaes, Dagher and Rahbani families. 

May Albert's soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

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November 2003
Nassib Joseph Baaklini

-----Original Message-----
From: Riad Khunieser [mailto:rk26 @aub.edu.lb]
Sent: Thursday, November 06, 2003 10:46 PM
Subject: Nassib Joseph Baaklini

I am sorry to to inform you the death of a young Shweiry:  Nassib Joseph Baaklini
Brother of Toufic, His sisters are May and Nada, Uncles are Emile and Alfred
A very humble good hearted gentleman who died yesterday in the hospital.

His brother Toufic's Email is TBaaklini @aol.com -  if anyone wants to express their Condolences.
(Please note that this email has a space between the name and the "@" for privacy to minimize Spam, please delete that space in order to become a valid email address) 

May his soul rest in peace and his memory be eternal.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all his family members, may his memory be eternal.

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October 2003
Rania Halaby Murr

I am so sad to announce the sudden and unexpected death of R. Rania; this is not only a shock to us but a tragic moment in our lives.

Dr. Rania Halaby Murr, 34 years young, daughter of Dr. Khalil Halaby, wife of engineer Fadi Murr from Btughreen, mother of 4 years young Julia , family lives in France.  She hold a PhD degree. Sister to Lina Halabi & Sayed Halabi.

"She will always be in our hearts and minds", Please let's all pay our condolences and show our care towards Dr. Khalil Halabi's Family and R. Fady ElMurr's Family.  May her soul rest in peace.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all related family members, may her memory be eternal.

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September 2003
Anis Ibrahim Eid Khuniesser

-----Original Message-----
From: Riad Khunieser
Sent: Wednesday, September 10, 2003 9:46 PM

I'm sorry to inform you of the death of my uncle Anis Ibrahim Eid Khuniesr yesterday in Australia. My uncle died of a sudden heart attack in one of the hospitals there. He is the father of Nabil, Ibrahim, Robert, Jihad and Ramzi and they all are Shweirieh immigrants in Australia.
May his soul rest in peace.
Riad 

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to all his family members, may his memory be eternal.

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May 2003

George Moujaes
Father of Mounir, Mansour, Ibtihaj, Hannan & Ghada

-----Original Message-----
From: Mike Sawaya
Sent: Saturday, May 31, 2003 12:46 AM
Subject: George Moujaes

I'm sorry to inform you of the sudden death of George Moujaes, Father of Mounir, Mansour, Ibtihaj, Hannan & Ghada.

Mounir Moujaes is living in khobar Saudia and his personal Email is sarjoonlb@yahoo.com if anyone wants to pay their Condolences.  Alah yerhamo

Mike Sawaya

Author	Topic: George Abu Nader
Habeeb M. Nacol Member Member # 15   posted 06-01-2003 07:14 AM                    It was very sad for me to read this morning of the death of 3ammo George. His family were our next door neighbors when we lived across the street from the Roxie. I remember him to be a very intelligent and well read person who many of us used to seek to decipher complex Arabic grammar. His family was always special to me because they were all so bright, and because they were good people. My condolences to my former and dear classmate Ibtihaj, to Monsour, Mounir, Hanan and Ghada. May his memory be eternal. Posts: 484 | From: Beaumont, Texas, U.S.A. | Registered: Feb 2001  |  IP: Logged
Mikhael Member Member # 115   posted 06-01-2003 11:46 PM                    I spent a sad night with Mounir before I dropped him to the airport, on the way he told me lot of interesting stories about his dad. Abou Mounir was a historical Achieve of Dhour Shweir, he would sit and narrate a story about the famous during his days due to the fact that they owned the first tennis playground in Dhour, and hosted the most eminent player around Lebanon, and they had one of the oldest houses in Ain sindiani aged before 1900, Mounir would sit for hours with his dad and hear old stories wondering how could a person have such an incredible memory, indeed our grandparents are valuable assets to our town they molded dhour shwier to be what it use to be, unlike now. God bless his soul Mike Posts: 64 | Registered: May 2002  |  IP: Logged
George Matar Administrator Member # 4               .0 022211 posted 06-02-2003 11:00 AM                    George Bou Nader Moujaes, was a good Shweiry and was one of the few that took a chance on Shweir, when his family built the tennis courts, and the club... Like Many I learned to play Table tennis there.  Just for the record, Mike, although he loved Mounir just as much as the rest of his children, George was known as Abu Mansour. Habeeb, I guess you do remember that little shop they owned and operated before they built the two story building, I still see it to this day.  I also remember the beautiful house they owned west of the courts, If I am not mistaken that was the 2nd house that was built in Dhour. George Moujaes was a good man and will always be in our memories Posts: 1138 | From: Houston, Texas USA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  IP: Logged
Webmaster 121214 1211223 Administrator Member # 5   posted 06-02-2003 11:09 AM                       From an email from Al Mukhtar bil Mahjar, -----Original Message----- From: Matar, George Subject: George Bou Nader Moujaes ( -2003) Dear Shweirieh, I'm sorry to inform you of the sudden death of George Bou Nader Moujaes the Father of Mounir, Mansour, Ibtihaj, Hannan & Ghada. you can send your condolences to his son Mounir Moujaes who is living in Khobar Saudia, his personal Email is sarjoonlb@yahoo.com Mansour and I grew up together in the early years, and I was around the family a lot. I did visit with th Bou Mansour in 2001, he looked pretty much the same except for the thick glasses. As most of you know the Bou Nader Moujaes Family owned and operated the Nady al Hiwat for many many years, they had two tennis courts that attracted many Misyfeen, shweir, has not seen the likes of that club. Many volley ball tournament, and "Kermises " took place on that property. Gentle George was always there through it all. He was a soft spoken man with a big heart, he will be missed. My deepest condolences to all his family members, may his memory be eternal. It has been quite sometime, I guess over 30 years, since I saw Mounir, Hanan, and Ghada, you folks were always great friends to me and my family. George Matar

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May 2003

Kamal Wadih Ghosn Moujaes 

Kamal Wadih Ghosn Moujaes,
Brother of Dr Nabil Ghosn (Mayor of Shweir and Ain al Sindiany) and  Maggie Ghosn Haddad his sister and her family Bel Mahjar,

Cousins are the family of the late Emile Ghosn, Fransou Ghosun, Joseph Ghosn and family, Edmond Ghosn and family and the family of the late Henry Ghosn Bel Mahjar and the family of the late Hobayr Ghosn Bel Mahjar and Henriette Ghosn Saadeh and family and the family of the late Adma Ghosn Mdawar.

Uncles and aunts are Shaikh Jamil Houbaika (Mekhtar al Shweir) and the family of the late Adel Hubeika,  the late Laudi H. Nehra an family and the family of Lourise Abou Samra Bel Mahjar.

Church service is Wednesday at 5pm. May 27  Al Saady Church in Shweir

Days for condolences:  May 29, 30, 31 at his home in Dhour
 

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May 2003

George Jebrael Katoul

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May 2003

Loudi Jamil Houbeika Nuhra

wife of Michel Nehra

sister of Sheikh Jamil Houbeika

Aunt of Dr. Nabil Ghosn.
 

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May 2003

Naeif Sulaiman Khairallah

uncle of Naeif Khairallah
(Baladeih council member).

                     † † †
May 2003

Farid Nassib Touma Sawaya

 † † †
May 2003

Youla Hanna Hannoush Halabi

wife of Mounir Halabi,
Mounir is the brother of Dr. Khalil Halabi.

               † † †
Charles Samuel Nacol
April 14, 1911 - April 27, 2003

  † † †
Charles S. Nacol (1911-2003)

 † † †
January 2003

Papoula Basil Mosiades Merhej
Widow of Nicola Merhej

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George Salameh Yaacoub Moujaes

It is we great sorrow I inform you the death of one of mu Uncles George Salameh Yacoub (Abu Emile).  He was a wonderful man, and it is my loss since I have not seen him in over 35 years.  Many of you remember him as The brother of late Jean Salameh, or the father of Father Emile who served in Shweir for many years.

May his soul rest in peace.

 † † †

Najib Fareed Harik
January 2003

 † † †

Fouad Simaan Dirgham

November 2002

Sami Tofic Abdel Nour Moujaes

Baha' Salim Khnaisser

Jamil Abou Salah

Hana Mender Kurban

Wahib Jamil Yared

-----Original Message-----
From: Matar, Nabil
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2002 6:19 AM
To: 'Sawaya, Habib'
Cc: 'Kenicer, Anwar'; 'Matar George'; 'Matar, George'

Dear Habib And Afifi,

I just received an email from Riad Khuneiser telling about the death of Wahib. It saddens me a lot to see him gone. My heartfelt condolences and
sympathy to You, Cousin Noha, Wahib's Children and Afifi's sisters and their families. May god rest his soul in peace.

Nabil E. Matar

 

Georgette Touma Sawaya
daughter of Rashid Sawaya and wife of Amin Tannous Touma Sawaya.

Dr. Jamil Asad Katoul

Anyone with more information about Dr. Katoul, please send to us at shweir@shweir.com

*********************************

Dr.Jamil Katoul, the youngest of 2 brothers and 1 sister who are, Najib Katoul (my granfather), Karimee Katoul (my dads aunt), Salim Katoul (my dads uncle).
A married man to Nora Roustom and a father of two Nada & Ziad Katoul.  Both are married.
He was a professor of physics at the AUB (American university of Beirut) and LU (Lebanese University)

A man who was full of power and life who loved everyone around him and cared.......A man who gave and never asked in return... A man of few words... his eyes spoke volumes... A man who taught us how to learn. 

May God Bless his Soul...allah yirhamoo...

Lama Katoul

*********************************

Thank you Lama for responding to our request for information about Dr. Katoul
Shweir.com family extend our condolences to Dr. Katoul's widow, Nora and to his chilcdren, Nada & Ziad and to the extended Katoul family.

Jamileh Shallitta Tabsharani
1922 - September 2002
Wife of Wadeeh Tabsharani

Mother to Georgette Nahra in Shweir
Violette Tabsharani in Montreal, Canada
George Tabsharani in California, USA
Madeline & Deeb Tabsharani in Shweir

On behalf of the Shweir.com family, and the people of Shweir, we extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to uncle Wadeeh Tabsharani, to their sons and daughters and the extended Tabsharani and Shallitta families. 

May God rest her soul, Allah yurhama. 

 Yes, 10 days after Christening daughter, Jennifer, Edward died.

He was a tennis champion, had black belt degrees in martial arts.  He & Manal had just celebrated such a beautiful Christening for their seven months young daughter Jennifer, and hosted a wonderful party for family and close friends. He adored his daughter, loved his family... On August 27, 2002, they were preparing their home for new furniture... In anticipation, Faissal painted part of the interior of the house that day... they already ordered furniture that was scheduled to arrive the next day... Their life together was just beginning.... then the unimaginable happened...! 

Friends and relatives, especially who are far away or who are from Manal's home town of Shweir would want to know what happened... so before you hear things 2nd, 3rd or 10th hand, Here's what happened. 
On Tuesday, August 27, 2002, about 6:30 p.m. I went to see Faissal, Manal and Family... I delivered some items that Zoya sent with my Mom, Antoinette, from Shweir to them and I also gave them a CD of the pictures I took of the Christening, so that they can view them in a slide show format... Edward was not yet home from work... so I took Faissal to show him around, we stopped by my place for a few minutes and went to a popular restaurant on the water front...  Since it was getting late, we decided to get back early... I dropped Faissal off at 9:30 p.m.  Saw Edward moving some furniture.  Faissal and I said hello to him and offered to help, he said he was fine and almost done.  He invited me to join them for dinner... since it was getting late, I did not want to intrude on the privacy of the family at such a late hour.... so I declined and promised to get together soon. 

20 minutes later, he began to heavily sweat... Faissal, Manal and his mom became alarmed and wanted to call the ambulance... Edward would not let them... he said he was fine and this could be the result of something hot he ate...  He did not say or appear to have chest pain... the sweating subsided a bit... nevertheless, Manal, crying, pleaded with him to let them call the emergency hotline... he insisted that if they call, he would leave before the ambulance arrived...  a few minutes later, he was sitting with Faissal at the dining room table when he dropped to the floor... Immediately, Manal called the emergency number (911) and Faissal administered CPR.  His mom threw cold water in his face... he responded and appeared to have revived for a few seconds... Ambulance and emergency crews arrived within  minutes... But it was too late.... It appears that he died of a massive heart attack.  Edward was always there to help others.  He was a very proud man, perhaps too proud to admit he needed help for himself. 

When Faissal called Shweir to ask for his wife, Zoya, to come right away to SF, he did not want to tell that Edward died... it would have been too much of stress and sorrow to handle for anyone on such a long trip especially when they are alone... so he told her and everyone that Edward had a serious accident... so, just in case you heard this other version, now you know why.  Faissal, Salim Rantissi and I picked up Zoya from the airport on Thursday about 4:30 p.m., Faissal gradually built up and prepared Zoya for the facts...  It was a very sad and tearful when Zoya consoled Manal at the house... half an hour later we all went to church.  It was full... Edward had eight uncles, one aunt and hundreds of cousins.  God bless.

There was prayer for the family Thursday between 6-8 p.m., Friday there will be a Rosary at about 7:30 and on Saturday, the main service at St. Nicholas Church in SF at 10:30 then to Burial and back to church for the food of Mercy.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family, and the people of Shweir, we extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to Edward's wife Manal, her seven months young daughter, Jennifer, his mom, sisters and brother and to the Khoury's and their extended family and to Faissal, Zoya and the Rahbanys and all who knew Edward and are affected by this loss.

Allah Yurhamoh... To express your condolences:  send to:
 Edward's widow, Manal:  mkhoury@attbi.com ;  and/or his sister Sana at sana35@yahoo.com

Please excuse this detailed announcement and information.  Since most of the Rahbanys are overseas and they are all anxious to hear any news, I wanted to save Faissal from having to explain repeatedly and tell individually to each concerned family member and friend.  He is about to lose his voice...  They are doing as well as can be expected under these difficult circumstances.  I know that the people of Shweir will rise to the occasion and watch over Faissal and Zoya's other children in Shweir while they are here in California comforting Manal and I am sure between the Khoury family and Shweireh in San Francisco area will do whatever we all can to help Manal and her daughter Jennifer in a manner that Edward have wanted. 

By Anwar George Kenicer.  If there is any correction or addition to the above, please send me an email at anwar@shweir.com

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On Friday evening during the rosary, several family members eulogized Edward. 
The following is by Edward's cousin, Dr. Issam Khoury:

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, SON AND HOLY SPIRIT, ONE GOD, AMEN.
LORD JESUS CHRIST, SON OF GOD, HAVE MERCY UPON EDWARD’S SOUL.

I GENERALLY CRY AND MOURN IN PRIVATE, SO PLEASE BARE WITH ME, IT IS NOT EASY FOR ME TO BE UP HERE.

I RECEIVED THE WORST PHONE CALL OF MY LIFE ON TUESDAY MIDNIGHT, TELLING ME OF WHAT HAPPENED.  I DIDN’T BELIEVE IT. NO WAY, THIS GIANT OF A MAN, EDWARD, NO WAY.  I QUICKLY DROVE OUT TO KAISER HOSPITAL AND SAW EVERYONE GATHERED UP AND STILL I SAID NO WAY.  HIS FATHER-IN-LAW ABU RUBEI TOLD ME TO GO IN AND GET HIM, HE’S NOT DEAD.  THEN, MY AUNT NAZZAR COMES OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND SEES ME AND STARTS CRYING OUT LOUD, RAAH SAAHBAK YA ISAM, RAAAH SAAHBAK YA ISAM.  STILL I WANTED TO SEE FOR MYSELF AND I WENT IN AND THERE HE WAS LYING THERE AS IF HE WAS ASLEEP.  I FELT HIM OVER THE CHEEKS, FOREHEAD AND OPENED HIS EYES, THEN I SHOOK HIM A LITTLE THINKING MAYBE HE’LL WAKE-UP.  HE JUST LAID THERE, SLEEPING AND IT HIT ME THAT WE HAVE LOST OUR DEAR BROTHER EDWARD. 

WE ALL CAN ASK WHY AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE DOES GOD TAKE A LOVED ONE AWAY.  I THOUGHT OF THIS A LOT AND I’M SURE A PRIESTS CAN GIVE US A WONDERFUL ACADEMIC ANSWER FOR THIS QUESTION.  ALL THAT I CAN SAY AND THINK IS THAT WHAT EVER GOD WANTS, THY WILL BE DONE. AND WHAT EVER GOD WANTS AND DOES IS NEVER BAD, IT IS ALWAYS FOR A GOOD REASON.  IT IS NOT ALWAYS SO EASY TO UNDERSTAND, SO I ASK AND PRAY TO GOD TO HELP US ALL UNDERSTAND THIS REASON.

EDWARD KHOURY AND I GREW UP TOGETHER AS CHILDREN IN RAMALLAH AND CONTINUED ON WHEN WE BOTH FLEW OVER TO SAN FRANCISCO IN DECEMBER OF 1968.  I WAS 7 YEARS OLD AND HE WAS 6 YEARS OLD.  WE BOTH WERE ALWAYS PROUD OF HAVING OUR BIRTHDAYS ONLY 2 DAYS APART.  THERE WAS NEVER ONE YEAR THAT WENT BY THAT I DIDN’T RECEIVE A CALL ON MARCH 9 FROM EDWARD WISHING ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.  WE WERE BOTH 2 PEAS IN A POD, AS FRIENDS AND AS COUSINS.  I KNEW EDWARD LIKE NO BODY ELSE NEW HIM, I KNEW HIS PROBLEMS, HIS AMBITIONS, HIS STRUGGLES AND HIS DREAMS.  HE OFTEN TOLD ME THAT I WAS LIKE A BROTHER AND WE BOTH EXPRESSED OUR THOUGHT TO EACH OFTEN AS BROTHERS.  THE LOVE, RESPECT AND ABOVE ALL HIS LOYALTY WAS ALWAYS THERE.  I CAN’T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT THIS MAN WOULD NOT HAVE DONE FOR ME.  HE WAS ALWAYS THERE.  WHENEVER I WAS STRESSED OUT FROM WORK OR OVERWELMED AT HOME FROM THE KIDS, I CAN ALWAYS CALL HIM TO GO FOR ONE OF OUR MANY MEETINGS OVER A DRINK OR TWO.  A LOT OF TIMES HE WOULD COME OVER MY HOUSE AND PLAY WITH THE KIDS, ESPECIALLY GABRIEL, I BELIEVE HE TRULY LOVED MY KIDS AS MUCH AS ANYBODY.  EVERYTIME I WOULD TELL HIM, YELLA ED WE HAVETO GET YOU MARRIED.  I TELL HIM THIS BECAUSE I KNOW HE REALLY LOVED KIDS.  HE ALWAYS REPLIED ENSHALLA, AND TO HAVE LITTLE GEORGE.  MOST PEOPLE DIDN’T SEE THIS SIDE OF EDWARD, SOME SAW A GIANT THAT WAS LOUD TALKATIVE, AND CARELESS.  I KNEW DIFFERENT AND ANYONE THAT KNEW EDWARD WOULD AGREE THAT HE WAS A GENTLE GIANT.  HE HAD A GREAT HEART, HE WAS VERY SENSITIVE AND CARED ABOUT HIS FAMILY.  HE TOOK THE KHOURY NAME TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF PRIDE.  HE WAS A GOOD MAN.

 GROWING UP WITH ED, I SAW HIM AS A STUDLY TENNIS PLAYER, A GREAT ATHLETE, A PROUD MAN AND ONE THAT WAS LOOKING TO GROW UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY.  OVER THE YEARS HE WAS DEALT MANY BLOWS IN STRIVING FOR HIS DREAM.  ONE EVENING, SITTING AT EL-TORITO IN BURLINGAME, DRINKING OUR FAVORITE DRINK, A CADILLAC MARGARITA, HE LOOKED IN MY EYES AS NEVER BEFORE AND TOLD ME HE IS GETTING MARRIED. 

 REALLY I SAID, I THOUGHT HE WAS JOKING, BUT THAT LOOK WAS DIFFERENT. SO I ASKED HIM WHO IS THE GIRL. HE SAID ZAY EL UMMER, SHE IS SO BEAUTIFUL AND IS FROM LEBANON.  AND WE TALKED ABOUT MANAL THE ENTIRE TIME THERE AND ONE THING WAS FOR CERTAIN, EDWARD WAS FINALLY IN LOVE.  YOU CAN TELL IT IN HIS EYES AND HIS VOICE.  I COULDN’T WAIT TO MEET THIS GIRL THAT HAS MADE HIM SO HAPPY.  

THE PAST YEAR HE WORKED SO VERY HARD AND CONSTRUCTED AND DEVELOPED HIS BUSINESS IN FISHERMAN’S WHARF.  DURING THAT TIME HE DIDN’T HAVE AS MUCH FREE TIME BUT WE ALWAYS MANAGED TO GO OUT FOR A DRINK OR FOR DINNER.  THEN THE PRIDE OF HIS LIFE CAME INTO THIS WORLD, JENNIFER.  HE WAS A DAD AND AS ANY FIRST TIME DAD WAS ALWAYS PROTECTING HIS LITTLE ANGEL JOY.  HE WAS THE HAPPIEST THAT I EVER NEW EDWARD TO BE.  HE WAS AT HIS PROUDEST TIME.  HE LOVED HIS DAUGHTER AND WIFE AND THE LIFE THAT WAS GOING TO BE AHEAD OF THEM.  HE WAS FINALLY ON THE RIGHT TRACK.  I HAD SO MANY PLANS TO SPEND TIME TOGETHER WITH HIS NEW FAMILY AND GROW OLD WITH EACH OTHER AS BEST FRIENDS.  I WILL ALWAYS  HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART FOR EDWARD.  I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE MEMORIES, SO MANY MEMORIES THAT I WILL ALWAYS BE THINKING OF HIM. 

THEY SAY WHEN A MAN DIES HIS SPIRIT HOVERS OVER AND AROUND FOR TWO DAYS WITH HIS GUARDIAN ANGEL TAKING HIM ALL AROUND SHOWING HIM PLACES AND PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY HIS LOVED ONES.  SO I KNOW THAT EDWARD IS RIGHT HEAR WITH US NOW, WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT LOVE HIM.  ALL I WANT TO SAY IS THAT I REALLY LOVED YOU LIKE A BROTHER ALSO AND I ASK EVERYONE HERE TONIGHT TO PRAY FOR EDWARD GEORGE KHOURY.  MAY OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST GIVE YOU, EDWARD, ALL HIS MERCY AND BLESS YOU.  AND WE ALL PRAY FOR HIS MOTHER, BROTHER MIKE, SISTERS MAHA, MOUNA, SUSU AND SENNA, HIS WIFE MANAL AND HER PARENTS AND MOST OF ALL TO EDWARDS BIGGEST TREASURE, JENNIFER.

GOD BLESS YOU EDWARD

DR. ISAM KHOURY.

† † †    † † †    † † †

The following is a eulogy made by Edward's sister, Sana Khoury:

Edward, how can I describe him?  He was so full of life.  Actually, he was bigger than life.  He thought he could do anything and overcome anything.  Even at the end, he thought he could beat what was happening to him.  A few words to describe him:  loving, caring, generous to a fault, laughing, joking, and just an overall great personality.  He had an amazing presence.  Whenever he was in a room, you knew he was there.  Even now, I expect him to walk in the room and crack a joke.  He loved life so much.  He wanted to do everything and see everything.

 Another trait Edward had was his stubbornness.  You could never win an argument with him.  No matter what, he was right.  I could remember so many times I tried to argue a point with him and he would never back down.  I would just laugh at him and let it go.  I’m sure everyone can remember a similar situation.

 To me, he was more than a brother.  He was a true brother and an even better friend.  He was always there for me whenever I needed him.  No matter what time, if he could be there, he was there.  Whenever I had something to say or wanted somewhere to go, he was the first one I would call.  I also knew I could call him whenever I wanted to laugh.  He had the ability to make light of any situation.  We would go to the niner raider games and I would root for the niners and of course he would root for the raiders.  Those were the best times.

 My last conversation with Edward on Tuesday he was making plans for the future.  He was so looking forward to showing his daughter the world.  Anything she wanted, he would hand to her on a silver platter.  At the end, he was so proud of his daughter.  Jennifer was his whole world and his whole reason for living.  Every time I spoke to him, it was Jennifer did this and Jennifer did that.  Just seeing her in his arms laying against his chest you could see how happy he was.  I know your wish was to raise your daughter with the best the world has to offer, and I promise you that will happen.  We are all here to make sure she knows her father through our family stories and showing her your picture everyday.

 Edward, you will be truly missed.  You were taken away from us far too soon.  Right now, there is no explanation for your departure, but I’m sure God has a good reason.  There has to be a reason for a newlywed and father of 40 years of age to be taken away from his family at a time when everything is finally in place.  Edward, I know you will be looking down on us to make sure everything is okay.  That’s who you are.  We all love you and we will miss you greatly.

Sana Khoury;  sana35@yahoo.com                                    † † †        

Annisie Corban Phillips in New Zealand

----Original Message-----
From: Matar, George
Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 2:19 PM
To: 'Ataya Helena'; 'Gabriel Ataya'; 'Woodfield Paul II'; 'John Downey'
Cc: 'Corban Edrick Banks'
Subject: A great Loss

 I have received this sad news from Auckland New Zealand to share with you.
On July 4th Annisie Corban Phillips passed away one month short of 95 years old.  Annisie is the daughter of Asid and Najibie Corban. She was in good health up until the day she died. If anyone wanted to know any family history she was the one to see. She had a fantastic memory and could tell you stories in detail that were well over 80 years old!

Annisie is the Sister of the wonderful Helena Corban Ataya who attended the Eid al Moughtaribeen, last year. 

Our sincere Condolences to the Phillips, Corban, and the Ataya Families on their loss.  May her memory be eternal.  I am not sure where you can send your condolences but I am copying Helena, Mariam, Paul and Gaby, so you can use the reply button. 

George Matar

-----Original Message-----
 From:  Gabriel Ataya
<mailto:[mailto:Gabriel.Ataya@vecommerce.co.nz]>
Sent:   Tuesday, July 09, 2002 11:54 PM
To:     'Matar, George'
Subject:        sad news :(

Hi George,

sorry to send you sad news. On July 4, 2002, Annisie Phillips (nee Corban), Sitty's older sister passed away 1 month short of 95 years.
Regards
Gabriel

Dr. Nicolas Salim Korban (1952-2002)

 Mrs. Mary Nasr Khnieser, "Im Atef"
Born in Shweir, 1912 Died Apr. 25, 2002

Wife of the late Adib Semaan Nasr Khnieser,  
mother of Aatif and Nora (wife of Morees Sahune).
Her brothers were the late Elias Nasr (of the well known Cafe Nasr) and the late Habib Nasr.
 
 Mrs Mary Khnieser, was a faithful housewife and mother,

she served her family to the last day of her long life and

she was an active member in the Ikawiate  El Bishara). 
 

Fouad Najib Iskander Eid Khnieser.
 Born in 1914 Died May 1,2002

 A single man but father of a large family. He was one of the best in the  building  contracting business.  

His brothers are: Naiem, Jamil, and the late Iskander.

He gave his life to his family and work. For a long period of  time, he was one of the "Catholic church endowment proxy in Shweir".

With great sadness we announce that Mr. Farid Aoun Moujaes passed away on Saturday April 20th, 2002.

The Shweir.com family extends deepest sympathy to his wife Mrs. Wadia Aoun, and his four children Mr. Fares Aoun, Mr. Elie Aoun CEO/GM of Somac Contracting Company in Saudi  Arabia, Mrs. Georgette Rustom Moujaes, and Mrs. Sonia Maaluf and their respective families

He has lived a happy and long life. He worked in Shweir municipality for 62 years. He was very proud of his contributions to our majestic town of Shweir.

May God bless his soul and protect you all Today and always.

In memory of Samia Nassar Rahbani (1927-2002)

From: Matar, George [mailto:gematar@sbec.com]
Sent: Tuesday, March 19, 2002 11:16 AM  

I am sad to inform you the loss of Samia Nassar wife of Fouad Zeydan Rahbani at the age of 75.  She is the mother of Iskandar, Sami, Walid and Elie.  Many of you know them from the Gas Station next to Mar Geryes in Shweir.

Our Condolences to The Nassar Zeydan, and Rahbani family on the loss of a wonderful Lady.

I do not have any information where you can send your condolences, The best recommendation I can Make is for you to get on the Shweir.com Bulletin Board and write it there

George Matar

The information on this was emailed to me through young Ala Rahbani that lives in Jordan.  

posted 11-02-2001 09:41 AM          

---

I found this article in today's Dailystar (dailystar.com.lb). Thought it is interesting for the Shweiriyieh around the globe to share. I believe a lot of us were at AUB (students or workers) when Dr. Ghosn was the Dean.  As you may know, he is the cousin of Dr. Nabil Ghosn, our ex-mayor. 
Waleed  

AUB’s Ghosn remembered at building-naming ceremony.

Politicians and academics gathered Thursday to remember Raymond Ghosn earlier this week, with the inauguration of a building named after the former dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at the American University of Beirut.

Ghosn founded the department in 1951 but was assassinated 25 years later on the AUB campus.

The ceremony was attended by a list of individuals which included MP Bahiya Hariri representing Prime Minister Rafik Hariri, US Ambassador Vincent Battle, John Brissler from the American Agency for International Development, and AUB President John Waterbury. 

********   IP: Logged

Melbina Abdel Ahad,
Wife of the late Girji Abdel Ahad 

September 2001:  We are saddened to inform you of the passing to eternal life of Melbina Abdel Ahad. 

We extend our condolences to the family including her sons Raymond, Hanna and Nicola and to her daughter Samia, wife of Toufic Hawi, and also to Melbina's sister Naoufa Khneisser and their respective families.  

Those who wish to express their personal condolences via email, you can send them to Nizam the youngest son of Nicola nanoahad@hotmail.com 

Anyone who can provide additional information, please contact us at shweir@shweir.com 

 Gibran Halabi

September 2001:  We are saddened to inform you of the passing to eternal life of Gibran Halabi 

We extend our condolences to the family including including his wife Sameera, his sons Ghosn and Joseph and his daughter Zaina and their respective families.

Anyone who can provide additional information, please contact us at shweir@shweir.com 

 Ghanem Hanna Khneisser

It is with great sorrow that we announce 
the passing into eternal life of 
Ghanem Hanna Khneisser 
at 4:00 p.m.,  September 3, 2001.  

Ghanem was like a big brother to family and friends... 

He was like the Rock of Gibraltar to his town and community... 

He worked hard and was a model of success... 

At such sad time, words seem inadequate.  We pray for the repose of Ghanem's soul and we pray for the comfort of his surviving family including his mother Naoufa, his wife Laila, their siblings Firas and Fidaa, his brothers Phillip, Simaan and Bahjat, his sisters Elham (in USA) and Asteer and their respective families.  

If you wish to express your condolences via e-mail , you can send them to Ghanem's elder son Firas Khneisser.  His email address is feef_79@hotmail.com .  

********************************** 

These two poems are dedicated in memory of our dear uncle Ghanem Khneisser.
May the lord bless his soul and may he rest in peace...

The first is by Nicole Ataya

 I don’t know what to say 
I think about you everyday
Why did you have to go away?
I wish that you’d come back to stay

You’ve touched the lives of everyone around you
With all the love that surrounds you
All the good deeds that you’ve done
Were blown away with the shot of a gun

I hope someday that person will pay
For taking your precious life away
They took the sunshine from our eyes
All we are left with are dim gray skies

I hope someday we’ll make it through
This terrible tragedy that happened to you
 I need to stay strong to help my mother
Make it through the death of her brother

Her whole world became shattered
And her fondest memories often scattered
Our world is torn apart
If only you’d listened from the start

Your truest enemies were so near
But they were the ones you did not fear
For now goodbye is hard to say
But your spirit lives on to light our way

By Nicole Ataya; 
(daughter of Antoine Unis Ataya and Elham Khenaiser, and niece of Ghanem Khenaiser)

*****************

Here is the other poem by Nicole's sister, Helena Ataya

There aren’t enough words to describe who my uncle is and what he means to us. 
Here is a little something to remember him by:

My Uncle, My Dearest You

With tears I write every word 
With a broken heart I shout to the world
To you my gentle soul, the best I've ever known 
My dearest uncle my pride and joy 
The kindest and sincerest I've ever known 

Standing tall in the face of adversity 
reaching mountains that are out of reach 
With humbleness, sacrifice and class you lived on 
and conquered each adversity that came home.

In your memory, I will live on
 to preach your name to every soul.
Who you are is something of greatness 
and your humbleness is something of amazement.

You came, you worked, you conquered, you accomplished, you enriched, 
You loved and you guided so many, with your grace and your loving embrace. 
You will always be missed and remembered in every human race.

The world is an empty place without you. 
In spirit you'll walk with those who love you. 
To me, you are gone in flesh ; but your spirit remains. 

In moments of laughter and when I need an embrace 
all I have to do is remember your gentle eyes and endearing smile 
and the comfort of your soul that is kind, in time of sorrow and pain 

I replay your messages that remain in my heart and soul. 
Your heart was pure and your compassion was real 
My gentle you, the best I've ever known.  

May the blessing of God be with you 
May you always be in peace 

My uncle, my dearest you 
With eternal love always

Written By: Helena Ataya 
(Daughter of Antoine Unis Ataya and Elham Khenaiser and niece of Ghanem Khenaiser) 

Thank you to Nicole & Helena Ataya for two beautiful and touching poems...

**********************

An example of Ghanem's behind the scenes quiet deeds

The following is an excerpt from the Shweir.com Bulletin Board.  In the last entry which I highlighted in blue, it talks about something that Ghanem Khneisser did.  Such a caring and loving deed says volumes about the kind of man who quietly did these kind of things behind the scenes.  

 

Author	Topic:   My ugly mug
Salim Khonaisser Member	posted 10-10-2001 09:40 PM           Thanks y'all for the welcoming party but I've been here many times but not often enough or nor have I been proactive but don't tell me you haven't seen my ugly mug in the saif oo terse section. You will see my dad Jamil, my uncle Emile, my cousin Joe, My dear Auntie Nawfa (who I pray for everyday) and yours truly. My cousin Hanna BouRizk now lives here in Edmonton and is a regular reader on this website so if you see this ya Hanna you MUST reply and introduce yourself to everyone.                  IP: Logged
Nabil E. Matar Member	posted 10-12-2001 05:34 PM           Dear Salim, I know that you are not new to this web site but you are new to the BB, so allow me my friend to welcome you again to the BB section. I don't know if we ever met in Dhour but long time ago, your dad, your uncle and my good friend Emile and I were members in Naubat Al Shweir. My friend I have to admit that from all the Shweirieh and other than Shweirieh who played the Sayf and Tirs I haven't and will not see a person more elegant, more fenness and more powerful than your dad. When I saw your dad this summer carrying the Sayf and Tirs in Eid Al mughtaribeen, I couldn't help my self from crying. He really got to me with his Shweir pride. My friend, I understand that he was not feeling well when he left to Canada, I hope he is feeling better now. Please give him my regard, and keep us inform about his health Salamet Ulbac Ya Abou Salim                  IP: Logged
Salim Khonaisser Member	posted 10-14-2001 03:36 PM           Dear Nabil, Thank you for your kind words. My dad is feeling much better now. When he was in Lebanon this summer he was very active and it took a strain on his body. He was admitted for three days in the hospital. Ghanem Khneisser (god rest his soul) took my dad to the hospital and stayed by his side the entire time with my mom. He made sure that my dad had everything he needed.

Thank you Nabil and Salim for sharing this important information with us.  It gives us a small glimpse of the kind and loving man that Ghanem was.  Allah Yuhamoh.  

Rosette (AbiKheir) Touma Sawaya 
(1951-2001)

She fought a long battle, the battle of the unmerciful deadly cancer that could not steel her heart, God bless her soul, and peacefully she defeats the misery of this disease.

 -----Original Message-----
From: Elie BouKheir [mailto:elieboukheir@lynx.net.lb]
Sent: Saturday, July 28, 2001 9:20 AM
Subject: Our Condolences to the family of Rosette AbiKheir wife of Michael Hanna Touma Sawaya (1951-2001)

I visited her last month, and like every Shweiry that visited with her during her last journey felt the same way about her, since that moment my beloved cousin Rosette whom I used to play with during our childhood days took the priority of our prayers. Turning to God was our only answer. Her suffering ended with courage beyond our imagination.  Her mission was sacred and loving to her husband Michael Hanna Touma Sawaya, and her children Issam, Wissam and Miryam.

She led the way to courage, righteousness and dedication, not even the cancer would stop her from earning her college education, so she can honorably serve her community. We can't but feel humbled by her bravery, dedication and achievements and love to her family and Shweir.

I was grieving but felt proud to hear the big brother Jamil saying good bye to his big sister during the funeral ceremony, it was sensational and touching, I still don't know how he had the strength to give such a speech. It really made me stand proud to feel the support and love among our families.

Please join me as we pray for God to rest her soul in peace. May God give the strength to her husband and their children, her brothers Jamil and Nabil, her sisters Ilham and Mona and their families, her parents Elias and Lore, Michael's brothers and sisters and their families, the BouKheir, Sawaya's and all relatives, to say good bye to their beloved one.

Our prayers and condolences are reserved from Shweir.com to the loss of our sister and mother Rosette. God bless her soul. We dedicate our web services to all of you who wish to send their condolences via our web to Nabil AbiKheir's e:mail at nabikeir@exotica.com.lb  or Elie BouKheir at elieboukheir@lynx.net.lb 

Elie BouKheir

Zakiyeh Emad
(1913-2001)

-----Original Message-----
From:   Fawzi P. Emad [mailto:femad@erols.com]
<mailto:[mailto:femad@erols.com]>
Sent:   Tuesday, July 17, 2001 9:12 PM
Subject:        Mother passed away...

I am sad to announce that my mother passed away on July 15, 2001 at 5:30 AM in Beirut, Lebanon.  She was 88 years old.  My brother Azmi informed me she was in a coma for twelve hours, and she went peacefully and with no pain. 

She was very dear to us.  Felicia said a prayer and lit a 24-hour candle in our bedroom.  She also eulogized my mother and recalled many of her little habits, her love of nature, the way she knew all our house plants, the pleasure she took in cooking and teaching us how to make Lebanese food.  Every morning when she was with us she would get up and make her coffee, then take a walk outside around the house to look at my garden.  Usually she had some comments as to what needs to be done!  She never stopped being a mother...  

We will plant a tree for her spirit.  It will be a flowering tree.  She loved nature and flowers, we think she will like visiting us to see her tree.  As the oldest of her children I feel a sense of responsibility and sadness for her passing.  I also feel a step closer to fulfilling my own life.  

One more time, we thank you mother for giving us life and for teaching us how to live.  We owe you much, and we wish you peace.

Our love to you, 

Fawzi and Felicia

-----Original Message-----
From: Matar, George [mailto:gematar@sbinfra.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 18, 2001 8:59 AM

Dear Shweirieh, 

I am sorry to inform you about the loss of one of our beloved Shweirieh, Zakiyeh Emad, wife of the late Dr. Philip Emad on July 15, 2001.  I am attaching a message from Her Son Fawzi.  I know most if not all remember her in that house adjacent to the square tending her beautiful flowers, always with a friendly smile on her face.  May her soul rests in peace.
I don't have addresses for you to send your condolences, you could try Her son's Fawzi email address femad@erols.com <mailto:femad@erols.com> 

George Matar

*************************************

Author

Topic:   Thank you Shweirieh

George Matar Administrator

posted 07-27-2001 08:21 AM           I received this thank you note from Fawzi Emad responding to all the Shweirieh that sent their condolences to him on the death of his mother Zakieyeh Emad. To you all I say, thank you for your Sincere responses, and I would like to personally thank you for strengthening this bond among us Shweirieh. Fawzi’s message truly is the proof that although the Shweirieh are worlds apart we still have this great love for one another, and we are no further than just keystrokes away. Fawzi my friend, thank you for sharing your feelings with us, and I just want to emphasize that we will be there for each other always. Yes, we separated by oceans, but are united by spirit Fawzi's message: Dear friends and family, When my mother passed away on the 15th of this month, I could no longer say to myself “I can always hop on a plane and see her.” I did not manage to see her in over two years. The finality of her death was very disabling. For several days I could not do my usual routines. I only took care of my Bluebirds. They somehow connected me with heaven, and I wished them to speak with my mother for me. Besides my Bluebirds, your messages started pouring in. I cannot adequately tell you how much I appreciated each one of your messages. I would read each message over and over again. You gave me so much comfort I started to return gradually to my work, my chores, and my E-mail. Now, almost a week after she passed away, I have the will to write this letter to you. I wish to thank each one of you for letting me share my grief with you. Just the sharing was quite a relief. When so many of you wrote back, the relief became a comfort very similar to that I feel cuddling one of my parrots or visiting with my Bluebirds. I have also shared your messages with my sister to help lift her spirits. It is good to know you are my friend, and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. Fawzi

George Rachid Zghaib 
(1931-2001)

I am Sorry to inform you of the death of George Zghaib, one of our hometown barbers. If my memory serves me well he was the first barber I went to when I started going to the barber solo. I am very sure that many of us male Shweirieh have been under his trusty scissors at one time or another. A real wonderful Man has left us.

He is survived by his wife Linda and two sons Michel and Bassam and one daughter Mona.

George was the son of Rachid and Marta Zghaib. He had three brothers Fouad, Jean, and Niemaan (god bless his soul) and four sisters, Samira, Leila, Nazira, and Jameeleh who lives in Syria. 

Funeral Services were held last Sunday May 6th 2001.

I do not have any information on the cause or time of death. And I have to apologize for not having an address where condolences can be sent. But if you send your condolences to Ghassan Zgheib in Canada (George was his Dad's cousin) ghassanzghaib@yahoo.com  <mailto:ghassanzghaib@yahoo.com> I am sure he will be glad to collect them and help post them all under one heading on shweir.com. Hopefully in due time The Family of George can check them all.

May George's Spirit rest in peace in the heavens.  Al Baqeeya B' Hayatikum.

PS: We don't have George Birth year it would be very nice if we can add it before we publish this on shweir.com, so if you happen to know please email me or anwar@shweir.com  

Submitted by George Matar 

Salwa Touma Sawaya
1928 - 2001

A Tribute titled "A Breath of Life"

Salwati...Salwati... Khaitati, these are the words of my humourous Khalti Salwa, God bless her soul, my mother Lili and Khalti Salwa had the art of humor and the wittiness to lead any conversation in any gathering, they are the daughters of my Legend Grand father known as Bou Jamil, " Khalil Ghnatious Sawaya, and his father the Sheweiry Legend Ghnatious Sawaya who both carried the Shweir Logan "Albairag" as a heroic representation of our community in all important Shweir and Lebanese celebrations, Ghnatious Sawaya was married to Melkeh Sawaya the sister of Lebanon's Catholic Bishop" Afanatious Sawaya".

My mother Lili the witty righteous, my aunt Salwa the witty humourous, my uncle Jamil the Lebanese Airforce pilot who became one of the most famous leading business men in Venezuela, God bless their souls, my aunts Melkeh, Yvette and Jakie lost their mother Haseebeh at 27 years of age, dying from an ear infection, can you imagine that?, between two to ten years of age children had to face life on their own without a mother, never had the chance to go to school, but they showed us the way of life, forming a loving bond among themselves, flooding with generosity, humor and an astonishing sense of proud living, giving us more than they ever had, "the breath of their life", dignity and pride.

 Just look back to our history of the great Shweireyeh men and women descending from pioneering families of heroism, the Moujaes, Sawaya's, Khunayssirs, Khairallas, Mattars, Rehbanis, Nassrs, Halaby's, Zghaibs, Baaklinis, Boukheir's, BouSamra's, Kurbans and many more. As a tribute in memory of Salwati, I am proud to be her nephew and a cousin of her children and a Shweiry, let us not forget who we are, a conglomerate of inter related pioneers who impacted not only Lebanon but the whole world.  I hope that we can remember her death ceremony to be another blow of life in one of us to continue to work together for better Shweir, let us not worship greed, bigotry, flashiness and destruction but act with pride to walk the steps of our successful ancestors.

I like to take this opportunity to thank all the Shweireyeh that dedicate their efforts to this mission, and thankful for having the Shweir.com as our tool of communication to share our heritage and be who we want to be...a proud Shweiry.

At difficult moments like this, life separation of the dear ones is not easy to cope with, losing dearest members of my family within short period made me appreciate my beloved ones like you. I pray for my cousins, Naim, Afaf, Nuhad, Kamal, Wadih and Raghidah, my aunts Melkeh, Yvette and Jakie and their children and grandchildren and to all the families that shared our grieving to have the strength of survival through these toughest moments in our lives, and humbly ask God to coherently bring us closer together realizing how short life is.  

God bless her soul and bless all of Shweirieh. 

Elie BouKheir

*****************************************

Memories of & Tributes to two gracious sisters: Salwa and Lili 

When I told my mother, Antoinette, about Salwa passing away, she was very sad because she was good friends with Salwa and Lili from when they were young ladies.  Two years ago, my mother visited Shweir and of course, she enjoyed spending time with both Lili and Salwa...  they talked and joked like they used to do many decades before.  I asked my mother to tell some stories about those times... I will share with you some that I did not know until now:

Salwa & Shafiq:  Shafiq and my father, George, used to work on some projects together... My father used to go to Shafiq's house around 4:00 or 5:00 AM so they will go to work.  Salwa asked my mother to come along so that after the men left, they would have a nice "Subhieh" with Turkish coffee and later "Arkilleh" water pipe.  By that time, the Ajeen that Salwa would have prepared earlier would have risen and would be ready to bake bread.  

Lili & Aziz:  When Aziz traveled away from home for work, my mother used to stay at the BouKheir's house and many people used to think that Lili and Antoinette were sisters.  

After my father died in a car accident, my mother became a seamstress to help take care of four kids.  When she needed to undergo a medical operation, Salwa communicated with the Jam3yat and they helped my mom to pay for her medical cost and other essentials. 

One time Lili found out that we did not have diesel "Mazoote" to heat our home during a snow storm.  Lili filled up a "tanket mazoot" from her home and asked Naameh and Ghassan, the sons of Phillipe Touma Sawaya, to deliver it to us.  They put a wooden stick through the handle to make it easy to carry and trudged through a meter of snow and delivered it to us. 

The above were just few examples of the generosity and love that these two wonderful sisters had for their families, their neighbors and the people of Shweir.  They raised wonderful families and instilled in them the value of working together and helping one another to build a strong community.   

Like our parents, Elie and I continued a strong friendship bil Mahjar and following in their footsteps, we are taking steps to help the schools, Jam3yat and where ever we can that benefit the people of Shweir. 

On behalf of the Shweirieh bil Mahjar, the team at Shweir.com and my family we offer our deepest condolences to Naim, Afaf, Nuhad, Kamal, Wadih and Raghidah and Salwa's extended family. 

Anwar George Kenicer

May their Memory be Eternal 
May their Souls Rest in Peace 
Allah Yerhamon 

*****************************************

Copy of an email received on April 20, 2001

Hello, my name is Shafic and I'm the Grand son of the late Salwa Sawaya.

I would like to thank you for sharing the grieving with us and I would like to point out that the you immigrants from Shweir are really great and kind people cause no matter how far you are from Lebanon you keep in touch through the good and bad days.  

On behalf of all the family of Salwa and her children, i would like to thank you for your sorrow and i hope you would find great days ahead and return someday to where you belong, to Shweir.  Once again thank you

Shafic Naim Sawaya

hbkss@cyberia.net.lb 
__________________________________________________

-----Original Message----- 
From: Elie BouKheir [mailto:elie@thwy.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, April 11, 2001 9:56 AM 
Subject: Your thoughts and support keeps us intached,

Dear beloved ones,

At difficult moments like this, life separation of the dear ones is not easy to cope with, losing dearest members of my family within short period made me appreciate my beloved ones like you. I pray for my cousins, Naim, Afaf, Nuhad, Kamal, Wadih and Raghidah, my aunts Melkeh, Yvette and Jakie and their children and grandchildren and to all the families that shared our grieving to have the strength of survival through these toughest moments in our lives, and humbly ask God to coherently bring us closer together realizing how short life is.

I thank you for being a special friend to me and to my family, God bless you all. 

Elie, Judy, Lilian, Jamil, Angela and Jason

*****************************************

Copy of email sent from George Matar to the Shweirieh listed with Shweir.com 
Date:  April 10, 2001  at 9:48 a.m.  
Subject:  Sad News from the Village

SALWA TOUMA SAWAYA
(1928-2001)

It is with great sadness that I inform you the loss of Salwa Touma Sawaya the wife of the late Shafiq Touma Sawaya. She is survived by her children and their families: Afaf, Naim, Nouhad, Kamal, Wadih, and Raghida.  She was the Daughter of Khalil (Bou Jamil) and Hassiebi Ghnatious Sawaya, and the sister of Melkeh, Evette, Jaclyn (Venezuela) and the late Jamil Sawaya and Lili Bou Kheir.  

Please join me in expressing our deep sorrow to the Sawaya family and the families of her sisters and brother on the loss of a dear person.  I don't have good information Where to send your condolences. I guess if you are in the Dhour, you know what to do. If you are abroad you can send a card by regular mail or at your discretion you can email:

* Her grandchildren Nadine & Shafiq Naim Touma Sawaya hbkss@cyberia.net.lb  <mailto: hbkss@cyberia.net.lb> or

* Her Nephew Elie Bou Kheir elie@thwy.net <mailto:elie@thwy.net>  

Nejla Saadallah Samaha Likas
April 18, 1898 - March 15, 2001

Aunt Nejla was born in Shweir in 1898.  Her family took her to California, USA in 1902 when she was four years old.  (see story beginning with her Grandma Mary and family history on the Family Tree web page).  Up until she was 100 years old, she spoke Shweiry Arabic fluently as if she never left Shweir.  She prayed every night for her family, her loved ones and for peace and happiness for everyone.  The past few years her health and memory began to fade.  In a way, her passing was a blessing because her soul is now at rest with God. 

In the early 1900's, Nejla's parents helped bring to USA her cousins, the daughters of Nicola (Abou Dawoode) and Amalia Shaya Khnaisser:  Louise (Lisa) Jones, Rose Metaxas, Hazel (Zahia) Daher and Mildred (Malakeh) Eassa.  Together they were the pillars of their Shweiry, Lebanese, Middle Eastern and American Communities.  They helped build two churches in San Francisco and some received  commendations from the President of the United States for their volunteer work with the Red Cross during World War II.  Each raised their respective families and brought them up to be proud and outstanding citizens. 
(See the Saadallah Samaha Family Tree).  

In a way, if it were not for aunt Nejla and her cousins (mentioned above and their families), this Shweir.com web site would not be where it is today because they were the ones who brought several relatives from Shweir and welcomed them into their homes. One of them, a nephew, Anwar George Shaya Kenicer is Shweir.com co-founder and webmaster.  

 On June 10, 2001, descendants of Saadallah Samaha, Shaya Khnaisser & Tabsharani families held a memorial service in California.  Aunt Nejla was the last living person from Shweir of her generation in California. The others passed away over the past 15 years.  

Hazel Daher, Salwa, Nejla & Nassib Saadallah Samaha, circa 1960

Allah Yo3awed be Salametcom 
May their Memory be Eternal
May their Souls Rest in Peace
Allah Yerhamon 

Michel Nakhleh El Khoury 
(Bou Rafiq)   (1919-2001)

It is with great sorrow that I inform you the loss of a true Shweiry and one of Kindest man I've known. Michel EL Khoury husband to Aida Matar Khoury passed away on Wednesday February 8, 2001 after a long illness. He will be buried today in the land that he affectionately loved and lived all his life.

Bou Rafiq is survived by four fine children, Rafiq and May Matar in Lebanon and Mona (Czarnecki) Khoury and Rabih both of which are in the USA. He was the proud grandfather of six and great grandfather to one.

You can send your condolences via email to his 
Daughter Mona monacz@adelphia.net or to 
his son Rabih at kmrpo@adelphia.net.

On behalf the family of Shweir.com we extend our sorrow and prayer for the Khoury Family in their hour of grief.

May Michel's soul rest in the heavens in peace.

Posted by Ragheda Rahbani Sleiman on January 17, 2001 at 06:00:05:

My father Jamil Kanaan Rahbani, passed away on the 9th of Jan and was burried in his beloved Ain Al-sindianee on Thursday the 11th. 

It was with great sorrow that our family of 9 sisters and brothers and their families bid our last farewell to him. Our dad was a great father, who had worked hard all his life to provide the best for his children. He loved Shweir dearly all his life and was very proud to talk about great Shwieri's. He never hesitated to provide every help possible to any fellow Shweiri. 

I'd like to ask you all to join us in praying ! 

May his soul rest in peace.

Ragheda

********************************************

Posted by Elie Mattar Rahbani on January 21, 2001 at 20:30:58:

Dear Ragheda,
Most probably you don't know me, I am Elie Mattar Rahbani, son of Benyamine and Margot Mattar Rahbani from Ain El-Sindianeh, you surely remember our house in Ain El-Sindianeh and my aunt Saada (Mart-El-Bayk...).
While talking with my father in Lebanon (I live with my family in Montreal, Canada), I was sadly informed that "Ammo" Jamil had passed away few days earlier.
On behalf of my whole family in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Canada I extend my deepest condolences to you and your family, your brothers and sisters and their families, praying that our heavenly Father comfort your hearts and give you inner strength and peace as we have in Christ our Savior and Lord the promise of eternal life.
At such times, may God's word bring light and may the sweetness of His abiding pr3sence fill your souls.
In Him,
Elie Mattar Rahbani

********************************************

Posted by George Matar on January 17, 2001 at 09:24:37:

In Reply to: In Memory of Jamil Kanaan Rahbani posted by Ragheda Rahbani Sleiman on January 17, 2001 at 06:00:05:

: Dear Ragheda

On Behalf of all the Shweirieh in the Mahjar, we extend our sorrow to the Rahbani Family. Indeed Jamil Kenaan Rahbani was a very Good and Gentle Man. He raised a wonderful family in you and your brothers and sisters and would be remembered forever.
Our Family is a branch of the Rahbani and I was a classmate of Simon. I can never forget My English Teacher Miss Zaineh and her contribution to the education in SSS. I also remember Siham and Mitri, they were my brother Nabil’s friends. Also Iskandar and Little Naimeh. I have to apologize for not remembering the rest, please blame it on “Ghorbeh”. Our Condolences to all of you and your Families, may Jamil’s Soul rest in peace.

George Matar

Salwa Saadallah Samaha

It saddens us to announce the passing to eternal life of 
Salwa Saadallah Samaha

Widow of the late Naseeb Saadallah Samaha

Loving Mother to: 

Labibeh (Achkar)
Najla (Jerdak)
Leila (Wakim)
George Saadallah Samaha and
the late Fares Saadallah Samaha

MAY HER MEMORY BE ETERNAL

Maha Moujaes
59 Years Young

Excerpts from emails:    Subject: Re: Losing one of our own       Posted on December 8, 2000

It is with great sadness that I pass on to you the news of the lose of a wonderful Lady, Maha Moujaes.  Maha was the daughter of the late Jamil and Adma Naoom Moujaes. Sister of Lamia, Nawal and George. She was 59 years young.  She resided in Baghdad.

I know Many of you are relatives and /or friends of the Moujaes family and you need to be informed. I only have George's address so, for condolences you can contact him as follows:   gjmoujaes@yahoo.com   Mail to:   <gjmoujaes@yahoo.com> . 

George, On behalf of my family, I am extending our deepest sympathy to your  Family on this premature and saddest of circumstances.  May the Lord give you strength and may Maha's soul rest in Peace.  

Your Cousin

George Matar

Elias ,George and All

I was really saddened and shocked by the news of Maha's Passing away. I used to go to George's home in the summer time and tutor Maha and Nawal together.

They both were the smartest students and the perfect ladies.Her passing away will be a great loss for all who knew her .May the Lord rest her soul and give her family the strength at this time of sorrow.

Salim Bou-Chebl

GEORGE, IAM glad that you informed me about the passing away of MAHA > moujais AND I am so saddened and devastated by such news .MAHA, GOD rest her soul in peace, WAS my classmate for many many years at SHWEIR SSS. WE graduated together but unfortunately I have not seen MAHA for a very long time for the obvious distance reasons .

I remember MAHA as an elegant smart lady, very efficient and able ,not to mention having a sense of humor and jolly .

MY mind is racing back 50 years AND is flooded with memories, some clear and some clouded. I can see all of us at SSS, the joy , the laughter, the frustrations, the spring, the fall , the snow, the study plans. I remember MAHA being good in all subjects except, if my memory serves right, history or geography.  BEING a MOUJAIS she was good in MATH.

ITS so sad that so far I have lost few of our 1958-59 class:  EMILE SAWAYA, > REYMOND JURDAK{BARAKAT}, SLEIMAN JURDAK, AND FOUAD MATTAR from AIN AL SINDIANEH and now MAHA.  I know that most if not all died of heart problems, I am wondering what was the cause of MAHA'S death. BUT whatever is the cause, I hope that they are all together up there having a good laugh in an inspirational piont as beautiful as our Inspiration Point. 

MAY GOD have  mercy on their souls and may the angels look after them all very well I will send an email to MAHA'S brother GEORGE once I can find the right words to say and once the heart calms down and accepts all these losses of so many dear dear friends . 

ELIAS MATTAR 

Posted by George Elias Matar on November 02, 2000 at 11:24:35:

November marks the 15 years anniversary since my father died.

Bou Najib, was the Eldest son of Najib Matar and Afifi Katoul. He was born to a poor family in Ain Sindyaneh at a time where it was hard surviving on your own. World War I was just about to start, and famine was knocking on every door in that part of the world. A Sack of flour was 5 kroosh, but who has that much money?
Some of the stories I remember him telling me about those times. The day there was nothing to eat and my grandmother Afifi had nothing in the Moonneh. The kids woke up smelling something cooking aa Saj. The meal looked like Mnakeesh, but what was on top looked more like ground straws. She has ribbed her pillow and took the stuffing which was “Shaaeer” (I guess Barley or hobs, or something similar) she grounded it and mixed it with some shortening and baked it. All he remembered was the “Tlameh” were delicious.
Then there was the time when he was wondering in the Ghwab and he stumbled over a tomato plant growing in the wild with four Greenish Red tomatoes hanging. He clipped them and hid them under his raggedy shirt and ran home to share them with his Mom, Dad, Sister Salma, and little brother Mitri. He wouldn’t stop to talk to anybody cause he was afraid somebody would take his find away from him.

Yes those were tough times, but the boy grew up to be as softhearted as they come. Things were still tuff when he had his own family, he taught himself plumbing as a profession but the prospects where not that great. When he did find a job he had a hard time collecting his fee. There was always a kind reason why he did not. “Haram, that poor widow needed help and can’t afford paying”. Or the “Maskeen” was sick and he needed that leak repaired explaining to mom: “I didn’t have to buy any new material, I used what he had, Ya Im Najib, can you imagine me charging him for something this simple? Maalaysh Allah B’daber”.

Him and my mom Victoria Yacoub Moujaes complimented each other real well, “He didn’t gross much and she great knowing how to budget on little”. But somehow the two managed to build a nice home over our heads and make sure all five children were educated.

He was not much of church person, but he lived Christianity. He believed the intention of Christianity is to improve the way people treat each other, “A’Deen Moaamleh”. In so many ways he is right.

I don’t ever remember my dad slapping me, he did not believe in physical discipline. He was not a confrontational person, if he ever felt he’s losing control, he will step away until he cools down.

He knew his limitations and did not ask for much other than his family stay healthy.
He loved “Arak bou Saada”, wo “Tuttleh Rafeyaa” and loved socializing with his best friends, Najib (Bou Riad) Eid, Nasri Kouyami, and Mikhael Hawi. My own interpretation is that the four of them felt stuck in this lonely town and their only escape was to vacation together over a Kass Arak and Seekh Lahim Mishwee. Now, it sure did not get any better than that. Old Milwaukee must have stole the idea from this wonderful foursome.

His favorite TV Shows were the “Wild Wild West” and watching the Pittsburg Steelers playing football. He predicted “that team with the black Shirts” will beat the Dallas Cowboys in the Superball. And They Did. That was considered sacrilegious for people living in Port Arthur / Beaumont area namely my brother Nabil.

Bou Najib biggest mistake was he thought he knew his physical health better than anybody. He would tolerate pain and keep it to himself rather than inconvenience anybody. Not a very smart way to live by, indirectly it caused him his life.

My Dad Elias Matar known in Dhour Shweir as Elias Bou Najm, died on November 22nd (Lebanon’s Independence day) 1985 in Port Arthur Texas. He lived long enough to see all his children, all his grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Three months before he died, he was lucky enough to see all of them at the Baptism of my son Michael, the youngest of the grandchildren.

I miss you Dad, and I am sure Najib, Nora, Nabil, Habib and all your descendants feel the same

Your Youngest, George.

Elia Hawi 
brother Dr. Khalil Hawi 
passed away in late August, 2000

Any one with more information or who can provide us with an obituary or proper announcement, please contact us.  Our condolences to the Hawi Family. 

Adib Touma Sawaya
Also known as "Abou el Rijal"

Posted by Rosalie Adib Touma Sawaya El Khouri on August 13, 2000 

Hello Shweirieh Bil Mahjar

I'm Rosalie Adib Touma Sawaya.   I'm Shweirieh living in São Paulo. Brazil. Today is father's day in Brazil and I couldn't help in this important day to pay homage to my father's memory.  He died in 1974, but his memory remains with us - in our life.  

He was a great father who did his best in his life to the family, relatives and Shweirieh people. I pray to Lord dad, so that your soul will be in peace with my mother Najibi.  My mother raised seven children, mainly with love responsibilities and respect. 

Mom and Dad: I always remember you with happiness in our house in Shweir with all the family around, happy and agreeable.
Mom and Dad you are with the Lord and some day I will be with you.

Your daughter

Rosalie

São Paulo, Brazil

 Lili Bou Kheir

Posted by Judy Bou Kheir on July 26, 2000 at 13:57:00:

Many friends have been after Elie and I to write something for this wonderful web site, and after reading Anwar's remembrance about his father, I thought it appropriate to share my feelings about my mother-in-law, Lili Bou Kheir. I heard much about Lili before I actually went to Lebanon and met her. She seemed a legend in her town; an extraordinary woman. 

When I met her, I knew that the things I heard were not just stories. In fact, she was a very extraordinary woman. From the very first, she treated me as her own daughter. Many times we would be trying to communicate in my broken Arabic and hand gestures; I know it would be frustrating for anyone, but she was patient to teach me Arabic, cooking, anything I needed or wanted to know about living in Shweir. It wasn't the best of circumstances the first two vacations we took to Lebanon. The first trip was during the war, and with a 5 month old (Jamil) and 21 month old (Lilian). I spent the majority of my time taking care of the babies and crying (Yes, I mean I was crying). The second trip was better, the children were older by then; Lilian was 6, Jamil was 5, and Angela (Oh, Angela!) was going through the terrible twos! The country was in such a state of disorganization and destruction, it was not your idea of a dream vacation. I told Elie right then that the only reason I would go back was for his family, especially my mother-in-law, Lili. Now before I go any farther, all of you who know me, know I love the people of Lebanon and the culture, but you have to admit with three children under the age of 7, it's pretty stressful to be on "vacation" for 6 weeks in a foreign country! However, we did go back last summer, and I would not trade those memories in Shweir for any other vacations I've had in my life. 

The best vacation I ever had was last summer in Shweir, visiting my in-laws, eating Lili's food, going on sight-seeing trips with the kids, watching Elie play tennis. Seeing my precious mother-in-law for the last time and getting to be with her, having my children know her and have memories of her, was an experience we are thankful for and nothing could compare to. Why would anyone be so attached to their mother-in-law? What endeared this woman to me, to the point I would want to write a memory of her for all to read? I will tell you why. She loved me regardless of my nationality, regardless of my imperfections, regardless of the mistakes I made at times being a wife to her son, even regardless of my Arabic! She could've chosen to treat me very differently. She could've made me feel an outsider to the family, or been cold and distant, but she didn't do this. From the very beginning she loved me like her own and treated me better than herself. So I ask you, how could I not love her as my own mother? And I wanted to share with you out there, whoever may read my memory of Lili, that she was the best mother-in-law a woman could ever have. 

In closing, I do believe in Heaven, and I believe this wonderful woman waits up there for her family to join her some day, so while I grieve the fact that I will not see her here anymore on this earth, I know I will see her again when this life is over.  

Judy Bou Kheir

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On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to immediate and related families.

On behalf of the Shweir.com family we offer our deepest condolences to immediate and related families.