Dr. Levon Waheed passed away on March 20, 2018. He was born to the late Dr. Munir Waheed and Haigohi Djeyerian on November 22, 1937 in Jaffa, Palestine. He was the longed-for son, known as “the second Levon,” because his parents had lost their firstborn son seven years earlier. As the youngest child, he was adored by parents and sisters. His early school years were spent in Gaza with leisure time at the beach and on the tennis courts. Levon finished high school in Cairo, Egypt and graduated from Saint Joseph University school of dentistry in Beirut, Lebanon. He worked as a dentist with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in the Gaza area and became the head of the UN dental clinics for refugee camps in the Gaza strip. Dedicated to his patients, he stayed until the last one was treated no matter how long it took.
He married the lovely Nuha Saba in 1962. They were blessed with three children who were raised in the extended family home. As a founding member of the Gaza YMCA, he was active in various planning activities which provided social and athletic access to the community. Levon was an avid tennis player and represented the country in local and international tennis tournaments. He even considered playing professionally. Addicted to workout endorphins, Levon would jog for an hour or swim for an hour almost daily. His favorite place for both was Gaza Beach. Until the end of his illness, he remained dedicated to his regimen of daily exercise. According to his Fitbit, he walked more than one thousand miles in 2017. This kept his family and caregivers on the move increasing their fitness levels.
Levon was kind, generous, and loved his family and friends. He especially enjoyed time with his grandchildren. His own children appreciate the sacrifices he and the family made enabling them to begin new lives so far away from home. Thank you Baba.
Levon was predeceased by his sister Lucy Keshishian in Los Angeles. He is survived by his sister Araxi Waheed and his loving wife of 55 years, Nuha Saba, and his children Muneer Waheed, Aida Kessler, and Sami Waheed, and 7 grandchildren. We miss him dearly and will hold our memories close.
Viewing hours are on Saturday, March 31 from 9 to 10:30 am at Chapel of Roses in Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 300 Curtner Avenue, San Jose, CA with services and interment to follow starting at 11 am at the same location.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Palestine Children’s Relief Fund www.pcrf.net, UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency www.unrwa.org, or a charity of your choice.
On-line Guestbook at www.oakhillfuneral.com
Oak Hill Funeral Home and Memorial Park
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