Jannette Salwa Mousa

Jannette Salwa Mousa was born in Ramallah, Palestine on September 30, 1933 and died in Walnut Creek, California on June 1, 2025. She came to this country at the age of 19 with her newborn daughter Noel in tow, joining her loving husband Shawky to build a life in the United States. In the years following, together with her husband, she supported and helped to bring many members of their extended family to the United States in addition to growing their own family. Together, through their 60 years of marriage, they raised five adoring daughters: Noel (David) Bawulski, Patricia (John) Mousa, Sharon (Joe) Keepers, Elizabeth (Thomas) Beter and Michelle (Ann) Mousa and shared in the love of their grandchildren: Dylan, Erin, Shannon, Elise, Jameel, Joseph, Benjamin, Elliot, Lauren, Alexander, Tara, Aimee and Rocky and great grandchildren: Olivia, Emma, Maxwell, Colin, Audriana, Amina, Alma, Khalil, Madelyn, Charles, Evan, Mark, Isla, Crew, Remi, Jett, Theo, Rocky, Cora and Winnie. Jannette is also the dear sister of the late Sami George, the late Anis (Salwa) George, Rimon (late Suad) George, Siham (late Salah) Salah, the late Basem (Janine) George and the late Anwar (Susan) George.

Jannette was a religious woman and a founder of the St. Mary’s Orthodox Basilica in Livonia, Michigan. After moving from Michigan to California in the early 70s, Jannette was also active in the St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in San Francisco, California. She provided to her communities with over 50 years of work in the grocery business, clothing retail, and volunteer work at a local hospital and in her church.

Janette was always the smartest person in the room, and the one with the best memory. All that knew her knew that this was true. Jannette was passionate about many things: reading, cooking, gardening, entertaining and going to church. Above all she was passionate about her family. She will be missed dearly. Her life was extraordinary in so many ways and her stories will be told through the generations. She will be remembered by all who knew her and especially by her five daughters, 13 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren. Her incredible love and generosity, sense of humor, feisty personality and amazing Palestinian cuisine will be dearly missed. Each of her daughters takes her recipes and lessons forward into future generations.

We love you so dearly and hold you in our hearts every moment of every day.

Now it’s time for you to rest sweet Jannette.

“God looked around His garden and He found an empty place.

He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face.

He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest.”

My Father’s Garden – Unknown author

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary Orthodox Church, earmarked Mariam Center : https://stmarylivonia.com/s/mariam-center-donations/.