Josephine Salah

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, Josephine (Saab) Salah, 98, who passed away peacefully Thursday, February 16, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

Born in 1924, the only child of Youssef and Hannie Saab, Josephine grew up in Diman, Lebanon. It was there she married the love of her life, Michel, in 1949, before immigrating to Canada in 1961 with their family. When Michel and Josephine moved to their house on Jubilee Road in Halifax, it quickly became “Home” to not only themselves and their children, but to their extended family and friends.

Josephine loved to host and her kitchen was always open. Whether you came for a cup of coffee, a game of cards, or the Sunday special (kibbee, tabouli and chicken), she was happy to see you, and happier to feed you. Always dressed in a pretty skirt and her best jewellery, Josephine took great pride in her appearance, looking her best no matter the day. She welcomed everyone with a warm smile and a full heart.

A dynamic and vibrant woman, she had a genuine love for people and life. Well known for being a social butterfly, she was always the first to greet you at a party and the last one to leave. As the years went on, that spark for life never extinguished. She remained strong-willed and young at heart; a woman ready to prove that even at 86-years-old, you could still tour Lebanon on a bus full of your grandchildren.

A long-time parishioner of Saint Thomas Aquinas, and later of Our Lady of Lebanon, Josephine was a devout Catholic who passed down her faith and strong family values to her children and grandchildren.

She will best be remembered for hosting family gatherings, in particular Christmas Eves on Jubilee Road, her handmade blankets, and her harissa.

Josephine is predeceased by her parents, Youssef and Hannie Saab, her beloved husband Michel, and brothers and sisters-in-law Anthony & Josephine Salah, Farid & Theresa Francis, Youssef & Yasmine Ghosn, Joseph Salah, Elias & Marie Metlej, John Ramia, John & Lucia Saleh, and Elias Salah.

She is survived by her children: Joseph (Dianne), Thérèse (Joseph Arab), John (Mary Anne), Anthony (Roseanne), Michael (Mona) and Simon (Norma); grandchildren: Marie Thérèse (Ray), Theresa Anne (Barry), Charbel, Melissa, Michael, Christopher (Stephanie), Ashley, Toufic, Peter (Monica), Michelle (Elias), Andrew, Rev. Fr. Patrick Salah, Matthew, Elias, Simon, Anthony, William, Emma, and Rita; great-grandchildren: Anthony, Nicholas, Abigail, Ethan, Jenson, Christopher, Zachary, John, Sergio and Joseph; sisters and brothers-in-law Catherine Salah , Jeanette Ramia, Elaine Salah, Rafic & Josephine Abi Hanna, and Simon & Nada Saleh; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Our family would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Closing the Gap Halifax who assisted in caring for Josephine in recent years, and to the nursing staff in unit 8.4 of the Halifax Infirmary.

Visitation will be held on Monday, February 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm at JA Snow Funeral Home, 339 Lacewood Drive, Halifax. Funeral will be held on Tuesday, February 21st at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Lebanon Parish, 111 Clayton Park Drive, Halifax. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Diman Medical Assistance Fund by e-transfer ([email protected]) or by cheque payable to Diman Association Canada. Donations can also be made to Our Lady of Lebanon parish.

May songs of the angels welcome you and guide you along your way.

May the smiles of the martyrs greet your own as darkness turns into day.

Every fear will be undone and death will be no more,

as songs of the angels bring you home before the face of God.