Maureen Stevens Selim

Maureen Stevens Selim, 91, passed away peacefully on 4th May, 2026 with her family by her side after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease and a stroke suffered in her final weeks. Beloved wife of Mahmoud Mohamed Selim, mother of Nadia Selim Little (Jim), Alexandra Selim Theisen (Sean) and Vanessa Louise Selim (Paul Williams) and grandmother of Steven Theisen, Andrew Theisen, Ian Theisen, Grace Williams and Colin Williams.

Maureen was born to Grace Edith Willment Stevens and Henry Stevens on 24th September, 1934 in London, England. Her father died of tuberculosis when she was three years old. She grew up with her mother and brother, John Stevens and was displaced from London as a child due to the Blitz in World War II, first to the English countryside in Devon and then to an all-girls’ boarding school and convent. She was a true “Churchill war baby.”

Following graduation from La Sainte Union Convent, Highgate, London, Maureen trained as a nurse, midwife and health visitor in the Battersea area of London. She graduated from the Barnet General Hospital Training School for Nurses in north London on 1st October, 1956 and received certification as a midwife on 30th June, 1958.

Maureen met her future husband, Dr. Mahmoud (“Moody”) Selim at Barnet General Hospital. After a first glance in a hospital corridor and subsequent meeting at a friend’s birthday party, Maureen and Moody met at Totteridge & Whetstone underground station in London to depart for an outing and the rest is history. Maureen and Moody married in London on 2nd April, 1960 and moved to the United States in July of 1960, where they briefly lived in Traverse City, Michigan before moving to Grosse Pointe Woods.

Maureen loved her family more than anything else. She was a devoted wife and mother who dedicated her life to cultivating a warm and happy home. Maureen always made sure that friends were welcome, meals were carefully prepared, birthday parties were planned and Christmas was pure magic. She attended and volunteered at school events, nursed her children lovingly when they were sick, offered a kind ear to listen and supported her husband and children in all they did. Whenever anyone needed support, she was there to help.

Maureen delighted in the birth of each of her five grandchildren. She was there physically and emotionally to support her daughters’ transition into motherhood. She enjoyed many vacations with her daughters’ families and grandchildren.

After her children left home, Maureen became an avid gardener. She persisted in being “strong like bull,” as Moody liked to joke, when she decided a shrub or tree was not in the proper place and needed to be moved by herself, single-handedly. She enjoyed many relaxing evenings reflecting upon her hard work with her signature gin and tonic.

She had the British sense of humor and laughed easily and heartily when one poked fun at others (especially Moody) in a good-natured way. She always enjoyed a good British comedy. She looked forward to nearly annual trips to England to spend time with her brother John, his wife Jill, nephew Anthony and niece Nina, who graciously opened their home to Maureen and her family.

Above all, Maureen was kind. Friends and family recollect how she made them feel accepted and supported no matter the circumstance. Most recently, caregivers unanimously state how she was always sweet, kind and gentle.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at StoryPoint Saline, who kindly helped care for Maureen at the end of her life.

Services will be held at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan 48236 on Friday, May 15, 2026, at noon. The family will be accepting friends beginning at 11:00 a.m.