Rima N. Ajlouny

It is with profound sadness that the Ajlouny family announces the peaceful passing of Rima N. Ajlouny on the afternoon of January 30. She was surrounded by her loved ones.

Rima was born in Ramallah, Palestine in 1935 and came to the United States as a young bride in 1954 where she and her husband, Nadim Ajlouny, raised their family in West Bloomfield, Michigan. They were blessed with five beautiful children who kept them busy with all their activities and friends.

Her husband Nadim and her children were the loves of Rima’s life. She was always there for them supporting them in all of their interests and endeavors to help them succeed. Spending time with the family on road trips to see the important sites of America was important to them and Rima was on board packing the cooler, reading the road maps and singing along to the radio with the family.

Rima was the life of the party in her household and her community. She opened her doors for everyone to provide laughter, music, gourmet cooking, and delectable sweets in her beautiful and warm home. Whether she was volunteering in her children’s classrooms, carpooling, organizing church events, or entertaining her husband’s business colleagues, she did it with extra flair, always pushing herself to go above and beyond.

Rima had many friends and loved to cook and entertain them in her home. She organized Christmas cookie exchange parties, Arabic cooking demonstrations, and surprise birthday celebrations for all to enjoy. She loved theatre and the arts and served on the board at the Arab American Museum, helping to organize fund-raisers and musical events. Neighborhood block parties and special school luncheons invariably included a tray of homemade baklava or a pot of steaming, juicy grape leaves, two of her specialties.

Rima always presented herself with grace and style from her dress to her shoes. She loved going to fashion shows or lunches at Somerset Mall with her daughters and granddaughters. She loved supporting her friends’ charitable functions and would not turn down buying Girl Scout cookies from the local troop or donating to the Salvation Army ringers.

Nadim and her children had the best of Rima’s love and generosity. She created fun holiday traditions for them that are still being passed down. As her family grew and flourished, she welcomed the addition of grandchildren and great-grandchildren where she thrived in continuing her loving and mothering ways.

Rima’s love for life was matched only by her love for her family and she cherished every moment she spent with them, making sure to visit the families in California several times a year. Rima is survived by her son James Ajlouny and her daughters Rhonda (George) Kreitem, Doris (Gary) Jonna and Cheryl (Mark) diTargiani. And her grandchildren Alysia (Andrew) Shinohara, Phillip (Vanessa) Ajlouny, Jennifer (Matt) Boji, James Ajlouny, Jr., James (Molly) Jonna, Steven Jonna, Marisa (Andrew) Sadan, Emily Shaheen, Elena Shaheen, Jake diTargiani and Ryder diTargiani and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Nadim Ajlouny, her beloved daughter Carleen (Emile) Shaheen, and her brother Nabeel Ajlouny.

A viewing will be held on Monday, February 5 from 6-8 pm at the Basilica of St. Mary (18200 Merriman Rd. in Livonia). The Prayer service will begin at 7:30 pm.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, February 6. The viewing is from 10-11 am and the service at 11:00 am.

A mercy meal will immediately follow at the cultural center at 12:00pm, where Rima’s family and friends will come together to honor her memory and celebrate her life.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Rima’s name be made to the American Federation of Ramallah Palestine https://afrp.org/ or the St. Mary Orthodox Basilica of Livonia https://stmarylivonia.com