Mariam E Semaan

Mariam was born on June 10, 1942, in Alma, Lebanon. She married Elias I. Semaan on October 20, 1963, in Lebanon. They shared 53 blessed years together.

Mariam enjoyed playing the card game, Basra, and usually won. In her free time, she loved to fish with her husband, Elias, and seeing who could out-fish the other.

She ran a licensed daycare center out of her home for over 25 years and was highly regarded in her community. She was also a member of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Peoria, IL.

Her family regarded her as the best chef in the world, and she was known for her Lebanese dishes and desserts. Mariam’s serving heart, welcoming spirit, loving home and faith in the Lord were felt by all who met her. She spent her entire life in service of her family and loved ones, she was the most supportive, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend.

Mariam is survived by her children, Ghassan “Gus” (Barbara) Semaan, John (Nadia) Semaan, Jeanette (Rick) Hogue, and Joseph Semaan; her grandchildren, Ashlee, Jason, Naomi, Tim, Jonathon, Christopher, and Jessica; her great-grandchildren, Elijah, Elias, and Aiden; and her sister-in-law, Jeanette (Nigel) Wilkinson.

She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Elias; and 13 siblings.

A Memorial Service in honor of Mariam will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 11:00 am at Redeemer Presbyterian, located at 2025 N Kickapoo Creek Rd. in Peoria with visitation preceding the service from 10 to 11:00 a.m. A light luncheon will immediately follow at the church. Family members will then proceed to Resurrection Mausoleum for private committal.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorial contributions be made to either Sophia’s Kitchen or the Peoria Area Food Pantry, in honor of Mariam’s love of cooking and feeding her loved ones.

Memories and condolences can be shared at Woolsey-Wilton.com.