Knou Mikhail Kassees

Knou "Kay" Mikhail Kassees, age 93, resident of Jacksonville, Florida, fell asleep in the Lord on January 1st, 2018 with her family by her side. She was born on April 12th, 1924 in Ramallah Palestine. She was educated at the Catholic School and trained as a nurse and also spoke 4 languages, Arabic, English, French and Hebrew. In 1947, she immigrated to the United States with her husband Abraham, initially to Wilmington, DE and then settled in Jacksonville, FL. They built a successful business together while raising their three children instilling a unyielding faith in Christ, education, and a strong sense of family.

Kay was a founding member of Saint George Antiochian Orthodox Church and a member of their choir who could always be heard singing hymns. She was also, a lifetime member of the Ramallah - American Club of Jacksonville. She left an indelible mark within the community of Jacksonville and served as the family's matriarch. She was part of a core group of respected elders who commanded admiration and was revered by generations, who willingly gave of their hearts because she so freely gave of hers.

Kay is survived by her loving children, Victor (Salwa), Edward (Kathy) and Kathryn Kassees; grandchildren, Jennifer Kassees, Andrea (Joseph) Salameh, Abe (Rawan) Kassees and Jeremy (Erin) Raynor; and cherished great-grandchildren, Jack, Evan, Victor III, Nour, Lillian, and Fares; sister, Nabiha Farah; sisters-in-law, Nadia Michael along with Siham Kassees and Jalela Dides and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her husband, Abraham Assad Kassees; parents, Mousa and Rasheeda Mikhail; five brothers, Essa, Jack, Elias, Ibrahim and Aziz Mikhail; five sisters, Hilaneh Mikhail, Bahia Eadeh, Badia Tannous, Nimeh Mikhail and Miriam Farhat.

The family would like to give our sincere gratitude to St. Catherine’s Laboure Manor for taking great care of Teta Kay. The family will greet relatives and friends for visitation at St. George Antiochian Church, 6300 Bowden Road, Jacksonville on Thursday, January 4th, 2018 from 6:00 to 7:00pm with a Trisagion service at 7:00pm. Funeral services will be held at the church on Friday, January 5th at 11 o’clock with The Very Rev. Archpriest Father Kamal Al-Rahil, officiating. Interment to follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, 4801 San Jose Boulevard, Jacksonville. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church or St. Catherine’s Laboure Manor.

Please Sign the guestbook at www.hardagegiddensoaklawnchapel.com

HARDAGE-GIDDENS, THE OAKLAWN CHAPEL, 4801 San Jose Blvd is serving the family.