Najde Besimi

Born July 5, 1938 in Nizepole, Macedonia to Beto and Zubis (Salieva) Akifovski, she married Bajram "Papa" Besimi on October 4, 1956 in Nizepole, Macedonia.  He died September 7, 2010 in Pekin.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and two sisters.

Surviving are three daughters, Nezaet (Vait) Ferati of Huntley, Nurie (Azir) Dzabiri of Orland Park, and Suzan Besimi of Pekin; one son, Dashmir (Michelle) Besimi of Pekin; ten grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jemo (Nazuke) Akifovski of Macedonia and Ismail (Nejmije) Akifovski of Monroe, CT; and one sister, Ferede (Raim) Salieva of Sidney, Australia.

Since 1987, Mama had been the co-owner and operator of Koch Street bar in Grill in Pekin.  Previously, she had worked at the Chicago Alumni Design Company.

Mama enjoyed gardening, cooking, shopping, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Her funeral will be at Noon Saturday, November 27, 2010 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.  Imam Lulzim Musaj will officiate.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, November 26, 2010 at the funeral home.  Burial will be in Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Peoria Memorial Affiliate, 4700 North University Street, Suite 92, Peoria, IL 61614.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com