Khouria Wadia Jacob Shukri

Since September of this year, her youngest great granddaughter Laila came over to the house every Tuesday while mom and dad were at work. Laila was fed a hearty bowl of cinnamon oatmeal and afterwards would play and read with her aunt during the early morning hours. She could sense her great grandmother had just woken up by the sound of the bedroom door opening and footsteps making their way down the hall. Immediately, Laila would stop what she was doing and peer down the hallway to meet her great grandmother only to hear the sweetest, most loving voice say to her, "What a beautiful sight to wake up to." Every Tuesday, without hesitation, "What a beautiful sight to wake up to."

Wadia Jacob Shukri, age 85, passed away on Sunday, Dec 15th 2013 at Portland Adventist Medical Center surrounded by her family and friends. She was born in Bethlehem, Palestine to Elias and Sadie (Shamoun) Zingani and was the eldest of 7 children. Upon moving to Portland and making the city her permanent home, Wadia worked as a seamstress for Meier & Frank and Nordstrom's for 28 years.

Family and friends were Wadia's love and joy. She expressed this love through unrelenting kindness and generosity. Her passion for cooking was enjoyed by many, frequently having dinner parties at her home and serving out of this world traditional meals like stuffed grapes leaves picked from vines in her backyard, delicious maklouba, homemade leban (yogurt) that tasted like butter and rice so good it would make you cry. Wadia loved attending church and dedicated her life serving God. She routinely baked the church's holy bread and was always stationed at the first pew singing hymns with her beautiful voice.

Wadia doted on her grandchildren and great grandchildren dearly and provided them with nurture and adornment. Their memories include school pick ups in the epic Gold Duster, attending choir, band and orchestra recitals, birthday parties, gardening and sit downs of stories passed from one generation to the next. Her greatest love however was that of her late husband Father Jacob Shukri. It was infinite love and devotion. Nothing could ever match what the two of them had.

Surviving are her children John Shukri and his wife Margo. Diana Hamel and her husband Dennis; sister Elaine of Bethlehem, Israel and brother Simon of Lodi, New Jersey. Grandchildren Jennifer, Sonia, Diana, Tina and Danny. Great grandchildren Sammiera, Joelle, CJ, Jacob and Laila.

On Thursday, Dec. 19th, family and friends are invited to attend funeral services at St. Ignatius of Antioch Syrian Orthodox Church, 4514 SE Flavel Dr. Portland, OR, beginning at 1PM. Burial procession to follow at Lincoln Memorial Park & Funeral Home and then a meal of mercy at the St. George Orthodox church hall, 2101 NE 162nd Ave. Portland, OR.