Nuha Rafeedie 1944-2023

She was born in El-Bireh, Palestine, June 7, 1944, to her parents, Zahwa and Yacoub Rafeedie, and immigrated to the US in 1962 upon her marriage, and settled on the west side of Youngstown, where she remained a lifelong resident. She was the co-owner of Mitzi’s Cafeteria in the Mahoning Plaza for 14 years.

Nuha was a member of the church and its Women’s Society, Arab American Community Center, Palestinian and El-Bireh Women’s Societies, and volunteered at the Mercy Health Gift Shop for 13 years.

She was very social and valued family and friends above all else, never forgetting an occasion or important date. When Nuha wasn’t otherwise committed, she enjoyed traveling.

Left to cherish her memory are her three children, Brenda (Mousa) Kassis, Jackie (Adel) Abed and George (Karen) Rafeedie; her six grandchildren, Hayah (Damian) George, Hanna (Anya) Kassis, Victoria and Victor Abed, and Maxwell and Alexander Rafeedie; her two great-grandchildren, Noura and Luca George; her three brothers, Issam (Lydia) Rafeedie, Bassam (Dina) Rafeedie and Wissam (Rula) Rafeedie; her four sisters-in-law, Ofa, Randa, Salwa and Ghadeer Rafeedie; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Adeeb, whom she married Sept. 23, 1962 and who died July 2, 1994; her daughter, Lucy; her four brothers, Mousa, Issa, Husam and Fouad; and her sister, Nijmeh and her late husband, Anees.

A funeral Mass will be held at noon Thursday, April 6, 2023, at St. Mark Orthodox Church in Liberty.

Calling hours will be held 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 5, 2023, at Schiavone Funeral Home, 1842 Belmont Ave.,Youngstown, OH 44504. Family and friends may also gather from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, preceding the funeral.

The family would like to express many gracious thanks to Canfield Place for excellent and compassionate care for over five years.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Mark Orthodox Church, 3560 Logan Way, Youngstown, OH 44505; or Arab American Community Center, P.O. Box 5868 Youngstown, OH 44504.

Please visit www.schiavonefh.com to share condolences.

(special notice)