HAJJEH HILDA HAJAR ABAS

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HAJJEH HILDA HAJAR ABAS February 14, 1934 - June 17, 2008 Within an atmosphere of love and prayer, Hajjeh Hilda Hajar Abas peacefully passed at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 at the Health Sciences Centre. She is predeceased by her beloved husband Joseph Abas, her parents Wahibie and Ali Tasse and her granddaughter Merranda Abas. Hilda, a devout Arab Muslim, was born in Kherbet Rouha, Lebanon. She immigrated to Hodgson, Manitoba at the age of 16 to marry her husband (late) Joseph Abas, and in doing so, she entered a new culture of many cultures in which she actualized her innate vibrant character, her rock solid determination to succeed and her always relevant wisdom. Her Arab hospitality within a multicultural society allowed for that special reciprocal goodness that strengthens the foundation of all humanity. She shone every day of her life because she was able to take the best out of all that she encountered as an Arab woman, sister, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, working mother and businesswoman. Although she moved from the Hodgson area to Stony Mountain for the past 10 years of her life, she always valued her many life-long friends in Hodgson, Peguis First Nation, Fisher River First Nation, Jackhead First Nation, Fisher Branch and area - an enduring warm embrace that was sincerely mutual. Her devotion and belief in Allah underlined all that she stood for and all that she accomplished and endeavoured to accomplish, so much so that she fulfilled her duty as a Muslim by performing the Haj in 2003. Her life has been an inspiration to her 12 children for whom love for their mother is indeed larger than life: Ann Haney, Ferial (Dave Nixon), Keith (Camie), Nancy Abbas, Earl (Sherry), Karen Abas, Boyd (Ghalia), Murray (Achwaq), Murvin (Hiam), David (Houda), Karen (Wayne Sinclair), Dianne (Bill Ammeter), Dale (Mona). She was extremely proud of her each and every of her 40 grandchildren: Adam, Ryan, Neil, Chris, Tyler, Travis, Tamara, Amanda, Tyrone, Belal, Layal, Mohammed, Siba, Yusuf, Shjenna, Zoey, Joey, Nadia, Najla, Hajar, Mona, Jamal, Mohammad, Malak, Rema, Abraham, Zeinab, Tiana, Alyssa, Brent, Hannah, Erica, Mona Lisa, Sammy, Sumiya, Sarah, Macy, Gracie and Cyrus, and she experienced the blessings of her first great-grandchild in Carter Haney (two months). Also left to mourn are her brothers, Ali (Doreah), Faez (Latifie) and Abdul (Jemilla) Tasse and her sister Amni (Badri) Kadri; her sisters/brothers-in-law, Lillian Norton, Annie Hagar, Dora (Zeno) Scaletta, Irene Gulay and brothers, Ernest (Anne) and Omar (Rush'dia), as well as the scores of nieces, nephews and other relatives spanning across Canada and into the United States and Lebanon. The family would like to thank the Health Sciences Centre nursing staff of GD4 for the ongoing attention and care they provided over the course of the past five months. The exceptional care by doctors, Van Amide, Funk, Cohen and Schachter which most admirably addressed our mother's quality of life. Also, exceptional thanks must go to Shannon St. Laurent for her constant love and care provided to our mother and to the nursing staff and doctors at Stonewall Hospital. Funeral services will be held today, Thursday, June 19, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. at the Grand Mosque, 2445 Waverley with interment at the Hodgson Cemetery, Hodgson, MB starting at 4:30 p.m. and concluding with a commemoration dinner at the North Interlake Metis Hall in Hodgson at 6:00 p.m. Pallbearers, Keith Abas, Earl Abas, Boyd Abas, Murray Abas, Murvin Abas, David Abas, Dale Abas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CancerCare Manitoba, Canadian Diabetes Association or a charity of your choice.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 19, 2008