Aida Gadah

Born in 1933 in Jaffa, Palestine, Aida left her homeland in 1948 during the Palestinian War and fled to Beirut, Lebanon, where she would grow up. She was working in the banking industry when she met her late husband, Basile. They married in Beirut and had their first son, Gaby, there. In 1972, they moved to New York City, where their second son, George, was born. After a short stay in New York, the family moved to North Port, Florida, then to Canada, California, and finally back to Florida, settling in Sarasota. Aida was a devoted mother to her two sons, Gaby and George.

Aida was very proud of her two boys. Gaby married his wife, Dorian, and George grew up in the air conditioning business. Gaby served in the US Navy and went on to become a Greek Orthodox Priest, bestowing great joy to Aida, but nothing brought her more joy than her three grandchildren, Basil, Tabitha, and Simon. Teta, as she was called, was dearly loved by them. The grandchildren always wanted to see her and cherished her cooking and cookies. Teta would spoil her grandchildren with her cooking and baking skills. Aida loved to cook, and she was probably one of the best cooks you would ever meet. You never left her house on an empty stomach.

Along with cooking, Aida was a great seamstress who worked various jobs, culminating her career at Dillard’s, where she was the seamstress for men's suits. The two men who worked with her, Joe and Tom, loved her and would always help her when needed. Aida was a devoted Orthodox Christian and was very involved in her beloved St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church as a choir member, in making the kouliva for memorial services and many other ways. Aida’s faith in Christ was always present in her kindness and love she shared with those whom she’d meet.

Aida leaves behind her two sons, George and Gaby (wife Dorian), grandchildren Basil, Tabitha, and Simon, along with her sister Lilian, brothers Samir, Tony, and Gaby, and many nieces and nephews. Aida is preceded in death by her late husband, Basile, mother Shafouka, and father Khalil.

On Friday, July 28, 2023, the viewing and funeral service will be held at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church located at 7671 Lockwood Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243. The viewing will begin at 10 am, and the funeral service will follow at 11 am, followed by the graveside interment at Palms Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly ask that you make a memorial donation to St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmsrobartsfuneralhome.com for the Gadah family.