Nejmeh Braik

She was survived by her brother, Peter Braik and wife Ibtissan, She was preceded in death by her husband, Yousef Braik, her children Suad, Hanna, Mary, Shukry. She was survived by one son Mousa and wife Samar, two daughters Lamia and Samira and husband Terry. She was also survived by Shukry's wife Arpy, Lamia's children Faten, Walid, and Rasha, Samira's son, Daniel, and Shukry's children Rula, Joseph, Phebe, and Daniel; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Nejmeh (Star) was a guiding light to all her family pointing them toward her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

The memory of the righteous is a blessing.

A word to Mother, on behalf of my brother Mousa and his wife Summer, my sister Lamia , and myself

Mother, brother’s keeper, guardian angel, morning star

The map of the heart has shifted with your departure.

We’re teary orphans at your loss.

At the end you were constantly asking about the family and the children. You wanted to have a house large enough for everyone to live together. I told you that Jesus has finished preparing a house for you, roomy enough to accommodate your many guests.

As you lay hospitalized for profuse bleeding from an extensive ulcer, your body fought to catch up with your will to live. Caregivers marveled at your resilience, despite multiple draining procedures, sedation, anesthesia, intubation and extubation, before your strong patrician constitution was defeated by microbial pneumonia.

When at your deathbed, we said the lord’s prayer, you stressed “thy kingdom come”. And while reciting the song of ascents, you said with your breaking voice:

“My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.”

You exited earthly life heavily bruised like a faithful warrior and dignified like a queen, using the beautiful Arabic saying, used in calamities: “God will relieve my distress.” You were the constant supportive presence in our lives. You were the strongest meek person we’ve ever known, who forgave people and circumstances and survived hardships with an open smile and a song in the heart.

Mother, darling, more than anything we shall miss your welcoming open arms at meeting and your benediction with hands raised to heaven at parting. In faith, you flew for the first time in your life from Syria to the US, with no knowledge of English, to be with the family. Your younger son Mousa, on the Syrian side, took care of your traveling arrangements, while your older son, Shukry, on the American side, waited to meet you with open arms at the airport in Chicago, as he has been waiting in heaven to meet you with open arms.

You bloomed wherever planted. You were at home with life and the living. You forged relationships with a young pastor and his wife, Keith and Nicole. Nicole called you mom and sent regular Christmas cards. You bonded with Pastor George who graciously travelled for hours to give the memorial message. You communicated with non -Arabic speaking produce sales people at Soulard Farmers’ market and received Christmas gifts from them. You spoke the language of the heart. Your warm smile being the common denominator.

Our friends were your friends. All children were your playmates and you gave guiding advice to those who needed it.

You mothered my son Daniel while I worked. You taught him Arabic and played house with him. You dedicated him to Christ while a baby at the church pastored by your son Shukry. You were teachable at any age and spent months learning English studiously and eagerly. You were quick to learn words like love, God children, family, flowers, beautiful and birds.

You taught us our first words written and spoken. From your mouth we learned our first prayer and our first bible verse. You believed in the healing and changing power of prayer. You coupled your prayers with diligence and hard work.

You were a leader in growing crops in Syria. Your crops were so successful that other farmers waited for you to know when to sow the seeds.

There is no light radiating from your window tonight.

Mother, my undying love, without you, the world is an unfamiliar place.

Samira

* * * * * * * * * *

Nejmeh Braik was born January 1, 1923 and went to be with the Lord on February 15, 2021.

She was survived by her brother, Peter Braik and wife Ibtissam, She was preceded in death by her husband, Yousef Braik, her children Suad, Hanna, Mary, Shukry. She was survived by one son Mousa and wife Samar, two daughters Lamia and Samira and husband Terry. She was also survived by Shukry's wife Arpy, Lamia's children Faten, Walid, and Rasha, Samira's son, Daniel, and Shukry's children Rula, Joseph, Phebe, and Daniel; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Nejmeh (Star) was a guiding light to all her family pointing them toward her Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.

The memory of the righteous is a blessing.

A word to Mother, on behalf of my brother Mousa and his wife Summer, my sister Lamia , and myself

Mother, brother’s keeper, guardian angel, morning star

The map of the heart has shifted with your departure.

We’re teary orphans at your loss.

At the end you were constantly asking about the family and the children. You wanted to have a house large enough for everyone to live together. I told you that Jesus has finished preparing a house for you, roomy enough to accommodate your many guests.

As you lay hospitalized for profuse bleeding from an extensive ulcer, your body fought to catch up with your will to live. Caregivers marveled at your resilience, despite multiple draining procedures, sedation, anesthesia, intubation and extubation, before your strong patrician constitution was defeated by microbial pneumonia.

When at your deathbed, we said the lord’s prayer, you stressed “thy kingdom come”. And while reciting the song of ascents, you said with your breaking voice:

“My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.”

You exited earthly life heavily bruised like a faithful warrior and dignified like a queen, using the beautiful Arabic saying, used in calamities: “God will relieve my distress.” You were the constant supportive presence in our lives. You were the strongest meek person we’ve ever known, who forgave people and circumstances and survived hardships with an open smile and a song in the heart.

Mother, darling, more than anything we shall miss your welcoming open arms at meeting and your benediction with hands raised to heaven at parting. In faith, you flew for the first time in your life from Syria to the US, with no knowledge of English, to be with the family. Your younger son Mousa, on the Syrian side, took care of your traveling arrangements, while your older son, Shukry, on the American side, waited to meet you with open arms at the airport in Chicago, as he has been waiting in heaven to meet you with open arms.

You bloomed wherever planted. You were at home with life and the living. You forged relationships with a young pastor and his wife, Keith and Nicole. Nicole called you mom and sent regular Christmas cards. You bonded with Pastor George who graciously travelled for hours to give the memorial message. You communicated with non -Arabic speaking produce sales people at Soulard Farmers’ market and received Christmas gifts from them. You spoke the language of the heart. Your warm smile being the common denominator.

Our friends were your friends. All children were your playmates and you gave guiding advice to those who needed it.

You mothered my son Daniel while I worked. You taught him Arabic and played house with him. You dedicated him to Christ while a baby at the church pastored by your son Shukry. You were teachable at any age and spent months learning English studiously and eagerly. You were quick to learn words like love, God children, family, flowers, beautiful and birds.

You taught us our first words written and spoken. From your mouth we learned our first prayer and our first bible verse. You believed in the healing and changing power of prayer. You coupled your prayers with diligence and hard work.

You were a leader in growing crops in Syria. Your crops were so successful that other farmers waited for you to know when to sow the seeds.

There is no light radiating from your window tonight.

Mother, my undying love, without you, the world is an unfamiliar place.

Samira

Due to COVID restrictions, all services are private but will be livestreamed on the Facebook page of Hoffmeister Colonial Mortuary. Please see below for the link to the livestream.

If desired, contributions in Memory of Nejmeh may be made to Southwest Baptist Church or The Good Shepherd Arabic Church in St. Louis. You can give through the links below.

Please leave a favorite fond memory of Nejmeh for her family to cherish at the "Add a Memory" link below.