Jalilah Sayegh

It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jalilah Sayegh (Um Nabil), in the early morning of Lazarus Saturday, which we celebrate the day before Palm Sunday in the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Jalilah was born in 1929 in Al-Mafraq, Jordan. She migrated to the United States in 1957 with her late husband, Jamil M. Sayegh. After his passing in 1965, she raised eight loving children. Jalilah was the Matriarch of our family, and was loved and respected by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. To know her, was to love her. She led our family with grace and an unshakeable faith. She instilled in her children the importance of family and encouraged strong traditional and cultural values. She loved her church (Virgin Mary Orthodox Church, Yonkers N.Y.), of which she was a founding member in 1966. Her faith in God and love of the church guided her path in life and was the foundation upon which she raised her children and grandchildren. Despite never having received a formal education herself, she valued education, as evident by the success of her children and grandchildren. She always spoke of how proud she was of her grandchildren, and often remarked about how despite attending numerous joyful occasions like weddings and baptisms, nothing gave her more joy than attending a graduation ceremony. Her beautiful spirit lives in us all, and her legacy is one we could only hope to emulate one day. Jalilah Sayegh is survived by her sons Nayel (Sana), Nader (Sana), Nadem (Diana) and Nacem James (Joanne), and her daughters Nancy (Roger) and Rima (Amir). She is also survived by 32 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren; however was known as Gida (grandmother) to everyone that knew and loved her. She was predeceased by her sons Nabil (Jacqueline) and Nazar (Dianna), her grandson Michael, her brothers Jamil, Ghassan and Talal, and her sister Jamilah. On behalf of the entire Sayegh family, we want to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time. Our family has suffered a monumental loss, but we believe that heaven has gained an angel, and that we will one day meet again.

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” – John 11:25

May she Rest In Peace and Rise In Glory.

Christ Is Risen!

Whalen & Ball Funeral Home

168 Park Ave.

Yonkers, N.Y. 10703

(914)965-5488

www.whalenandballfh.com