Karimeh K. Samaan

Karimeh “Kay” Samaan passed away peacefully at home on March 10, 2012 in Woodland Hills, California. She was born Sept 1,1926 in Jerusalem, Palestine. She devoted her life to loving, caring for, and serving her family and others.

Karimeh was blessed with a gentle heart and patient temperament. She was quick to embrace people of all faiths and cultures, as was reflected in the rich tapestry of her personal relationships. Her joy was in serving others with the gifts of her hands and heart, from entertaining people at her table with delicious meals which took hours to prepare, to knitting a sweater and cap to adorn a beautiful new baby, to tending a garden of home-grown herbs and vegetables that made every dish special. She loved to make cookies and pastries to share with her friends at Easter, or her gardener on Saturdays. She lived up to her name, for Karimeh means generosity.

Above all, Karimeh was devoted to serving her family. She is preceded in death by her husband of more than 50 years, Elias. She raised seven beautiful children – Issa, Odette, Violet, Juliet, John, Peter, and Gabriel – and was happiest when her family was gathered around her. She adored her grandchildren – Gregory, Conrad, Briana, and Elias – and her great-grandchildren – Jacob, Layla, and Damon. If there was a baby in the room, it was usually on Karimeh’s lap.

The family is grateful to her doctors, nurses, and caregivers, who were regularly present toward the end of her life. We express a special heartfelt appreciation to her full-time caregiver, Dianna, who was at her side daily for more than two years and loved her as if she were her own mother.

Mom, we will always love you forever!