Noha Michel Tarazi

Noha Tarazi, aged 74, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on December 31, 2024. Born in Gaza, Palestine on April 15, 1950, Noha was the eldest daughter of the late Theodore and Salwa (Jildeh) Shehada.

Growing up, she attended an all-girls school with her two sisters in Gaza, finished high school and moved on to Birzeit University before meeting the love of her life, Michel Tarazi. It was love at first sight. Noha met and married Michel in July 1972 in the third oldest church in the world, Saint Porphyrius Greek Orthodox Church, in Gaza, Palestine, and together moved to East Lansing, Michigan. She studied business at Lansing Community College and then focused on raising her three children until they graduated high school. She then spent over 20 years working as a Retail Sales Associate at numerous Department Stores, spending most of her career at Macy's. She was passionate about crocheting, embroidery, sewing, gardening, and cooking for her family. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother we called Tata.

She is survived by her husband Michel Tarazi of 52 years; by her children Ism Tarazi, Dina (Chris) McGarry, Lillian (James) Georgostathis; by her three grandchildren Mason, Mia and Luke; by her siblings Bishara (Suzan) Shehada of Gaza, Hanna (Nawal) Shehada of Gaza, Dr. Hazem (Gisela) Shehada of Germany, Najwa (the late Qustandi) Dabeet of Australia, and Fedwa (Mousa) Barham of Ramallah, along with numerous nieces and nephews. No matter the distance, she loved her entire family with all her heart.

Visitation will be held at 10am on Tuesday, January 7, 2025 with the Trisagion at 10:30am at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1701 E. Saginaw St. Lansing.

A funeral service will follow immediately after at 11am with Father Mark Sietsema, Ph.D. presiding. There will be a luncheon at the church following the graveside service at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorial contributions in Noha’s name may be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church.

"There are some who bring a light so great to the world that even after they are gone, the light remains."