Laurice Arab

Born May 23, 1935, in Diman, Lebanon, Laurice began working at an early age to support her family in the challenging economic environment following the end of the 2nd World War. At the age of 19, she married her partner in life for over 35 years, the late Nasr Sleiman Arab. Together, they raised their six children on the slopes of the great Lebanese Mountains, instilling in them the great value of hard work, Maronite faith, and Lebanese heritage.

Laurice had to face many painful chapters in her life. At the age of 9, her only brother Youssef passed away. Although he was only 12 years old, Laurice talked about him every day, even until the day she passed.

Seeking a better life, four of her six children left Diman, three for Canada and one to Australia. At a time when telephone service was unreliable, the distance and uncertainty about what her children were facing in foreign lands weighed heavily on her. In 1990, after 37 years of marriage, her husband Nasr suddenly and tragically passed away at 61 years old, leaving her a widow at age 55.

In the following years, Laurice found consolation in visiting her children in Canada and Australia, and watching their families grow. She eventually settled with three of her sons in Canada, splitting her time between Halifax and her home in Diman.

Laurice was renowned for her culinary abilities and regularly prepared a variety of traditional Lebanese cuisine for her family. Her tables in Canada and Lebanon were a place where her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family and friends would enjoy her company and share all that was going on in their lives with her. Even on the day she passed, she had awoken early that morning and prepared a meal of lentils (3addis) and salad, expecting her sons to join her as they regularly did. Laurice used her cooking to gather her family together and insisted on never eating alone.

Laurice was a devoted Maronite Catholic, attending daily mass in Lebanon, and in her later years, watching mass in both Arabic and English on the television multiple times a day. She had a special prayer for each of her children and their families, which she would pray daily. Laurice had a deep devotion to the Virgin Mary, praying for her intercession that she would pass into death peacefully; a prayer which was graciously granted.

Laurice was predeceased by her husband Nasr, her parents Francis and Shmouni (Yaakoub), and her brother Youssef. She is survived by her children, Antoune (Norma), Halifax; Joe (Norma) Halifax; Camile (Renee), Diman; Siham (Hassib), Sydney Australia; Sayed (Susan), Halifax; Norma (Tony) Dib, Brissat; 23 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren; her three sisters, Josephine (the late George) Francis, Marie (the late Chafic) Daaboul, Houda (the late Steven) Metlege, all Halifax; and a large extended family and community.

Condolences will be received at Joe Arab house, on Sunday June 29th 3 PM.

Visitation will be held on Monday June 30, from 5pm to 9pm at J.A. Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax.

Funeral Liturgy will be held Tuesday July 1 @ 11am, Our Lady of Lebanon Parish, 111 Clayton Park Drive, Halifax, Fr. Namatallah Eid officiating.

Interment to be determined, Diman, Lebanon.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Our Lady of Lebanon Church, Halifax.

May her soul rest in peace.