Mariam Ghattas

Mariam was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She was born to Shukrey Alarmaney and Shahla Zawad in Amman, Jordan.

Fifty-seven years ago, she married Ghattas Mufaddi Ghattas, also of Amman Jordan, and began to raise her family of seven children. She was dedicated to her family and believed that her mission as “Mom” or “Oumi” was the most noble and most important vocation she could take.

In the late 70s, Mariam and her family immigrated to St. Louis in order to provide opportunity for her children. Mariam became the rock of “home,” while her family adjusted to life in America.

She taught her children about Jesus and she was devoted to Him and the Blessed Mother. Mariam was a poet, who would be inspired to write Arabic poems for people she loved. She loved music and would often sing and play the table (hand drum) for a wedding or family gathering.

Mariam loved to play cards – not just to pass time, but to ensure that her family and friends would spend time with her, and she, with them, in conversation and friendship. A pot of hot sweet tea and a game of “hend,” meant a happy time in her company.

In her later years, Mariam suffered from a variety of ailments, yet remained strong-willed and determined to spend as much time with her family as she could. In 2014, she moved to Austin to share her life with her Austin daughters and grandchildren. She passed surrounded by family – and that was all she wanted.

Mariam is preceded in death by her parents and her daughter Abier, and son Wasfi.

She is survived and lives on in those who must wait to be with her again. Her husband, Ghattas Ghattas, her son Aiman (Lisa), daughters Suha Vargas (Kenneth), Sawsan Makhamreh (Nader), Wafa Rivera (Ben), and Ghadir Naufel (Naji). Grandchildren: Abier, Muna, Anthony and Andrew Ghattas; Rumzy Hneiti, Sean and Jonathan Vargas; Noer, Hannah and Michael Makhamreh; Arman and Christian Rivera; and Chafic and Zeyna Naufel. She is also survived by her brother Yousef Alarmaney, and sisters Kawlther Salman, Sawsan Haddad and Rheida Alkfouf and their families.