Betty Ismail

Betty was born in 1932, to Azmi and Naxhije Browsh, and grew up in Philadelphia with her two brothers and five sisters. As a young teenager, Betty was admitted to and graduated from the prestigious Philadelphia High School for Girls. Betty followed the high school’s motto, “Vincit qui se vincit” (He conquers who conquers himself), her entire life.

In 1949, Islamic scholar Imam Vehbi Ismail, now deceased, saw her across the room at a party given to welcome him to the United States as the leader of the Albanian Muslim community, and fell in love at first sight. Imam told his host, “That is the girl I want to marry.”

Imam Vehbi and Betty married in 1950, settling in Detroit, at which time the newlyweds worked tirelessly as a team to found the first Albanian Muslim mosque in the United States. Betty kept an open house, always prepared to serve as hostess for the Islamic scholars who came to Detroit to visit and consult with Imam Vehbi. Throughout their marriage, he referred to her as his partner and best friend, and attributed his success to her during their entire marriage.

In 1960, the couple and their children — Fatima, Ahmed and Ali — moved to Harper Woods so the children could attend the Grosse Pointe Public Schools. The Albanian Islamic Center was then constructed on Harper Avenue, where it remains as an active religious center today.

With her three children in school all day and Imam Vehbi traveling the United States, Betty’s love of learning and helping others led her to join the staff of Women’s Hospital’s Radiology Department in 1964. She rapidly rose from receptionist to the non-medical manager, a position she cherished for more than 30 years.

After her retirement, her joy of joys were her three grandsons, Jonathan Ismail, 34; Scott Ismail, 31; and Dr. Alex Ismail, 28. She spent her time taking them to the library, the Detroit Zoo and the Detroit Institute of Arts, always instilling in them the power of education and importance of academics in shaping their futures.

Betty will always be remembered for her selfless compassion for others, her incredible memory and her dedication to her family. She is survived by brother, Gani, and sisters, Perri and Xhenet, of Philadelphia; sister, Mini Domni of Massapequa, N.Y.; brother-in-law, Selami Barolli of Long Island, N.Y.; son, Ahmed Ismail (Mary Ann) of Grosse Pointe Woods; daughter, Fatima of Harper Woods; and three grandsons, Jonathan Ismail of Stephens Point, Wisconsin, Scott Ismail of Seattle, Washington, Dr. Alex Ismail of Southfield; and daughter-in-law Dr. Judith Malek-Ismail of Melbourne, Florida.

The family will hold visitation from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 25, at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack, Grosse Pointe Woods with prayer services at 5:30pm. Burial services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Knollwood Cemetery, 1299 Ridge Road North, Canton.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Books for Albania’s Children Fund, in care of 20426 Country Club Drive, Harper Woods, MI 48225.