Fawzia Bahrani Wakil

Born in Baghdad, Iraq in 1929, she was the second eldest of nine siblings. In 1952, she married Salih Wakil and came to Madison, Wisconsin where she saw snow for the first time. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and Design at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Her career was a support to her husband, Salih, who was a renowned scientist. She accompanied him throughout his travels across six continents. For almost 66 years, Fawzia and Salih helped mentor many young scientists and their families who like them had come to make the United States their new home and contribute to the advancement of medicine and science.

Fawzia was known for her fantastic culinary skills and her hospitality. She loved art, gardening, music and was a skilled painter. Life was always an adventure that she welcomed with open arms. Her joy was her family, especially taking great pride in the bestowal of medical degrees on each of her four children.

She was predeceased by her husband of 68 years, Salih J. Wakil. Left to cherish her memory are her four children: Sonya, Aida (Raymina), Adil (Lori), and Joe (Julie); nine grandchildren Alexander, Katarina, Nawal, Rigel, Dagan, Lauren, Sarah, Cole and Jake; and many siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

The family wishes to thank her caregivers, her three Angels: Caroline, Fummi and Alicia for their care, friendship and love for the past five years. We especially send our love and thoughts to her dearest friends whose friendship and love always lifted her spirits and brought her joy.

Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o’clock in the afternoon until seven o’clock in the evening on Thursday, the 20th of October, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

At a later date, the family will gather for a private inurnment at Glenwood Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in her name be directed to the Salih J Wakil, Ph.D. and Fawzia Wakil Memorial Endowed Fund for student support at the Department of Biochemistry, Baylor College of Medicine, c/o Office of Advancement and Alumni Affairs, MSC #800, P.O. Box 4976, Houston, TX. 77210. Tribute gifts can be made online at https://give.bcm.edu. Under “direct my gift to” there is an option to select “other” and then type in the name of the fund. The purpose of the fund is for trainee support in the Verna and Marrs McLean Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.