Huda Nimr Wakim

Huda Nimr Wakim, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 12, 2024. Huda was born on August 18, 1939, to Nimr and Kamleh Wakim in Deirmimas, Lebanon. Huda was predeceased by her parents, Kamleh and Nimr Wakim, and her siblings, Mousa, Milad, and Nuha Wakim. She is survived by sisters Souad Toomey (Jack) and Salima Nashef (Franco), brother Iskandar Wakim (Hala), and sisters Leila Hallis (Milad) and Najah El-Haddad (Camile), 14 nieces and nephews and 16 great nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., followed directly by a service at 11:15 a.m., at St Rafka Maronite Catholic Church, 32765 Lyndon, Livonia, MI, 48154.

Huda was both a pioneer and a faithful servant of God. She was a celebrated Nurse in her homeland and an equally celebrated chef here in the States. She was fearless and tireless in her service to her family, her friends, and her beloved Deirmimas community.

At 21, Huda graduated from Tripoli Nursing School and began working abroad in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait before returning to Lebanon to assist The National Red Cross in opening Urgent Care centers across the country. Huda also founded the first-aid training school in Sidon, Lebanon, where she trained countless healthcare workers in first aid. To this day, Huda’s adoring students love and appreciate her thoughtful and inspiring lessons.

During the war, she went on rescue missions with EMT workers, saving the injured during fighting and shelling. Fleeing the war in 1977, Huda immigrated to her final destination, Redford, Michigan. Huda and sister Nuha’s home here became “the Red Cross” of Redford, welcoming, feeding, and assisting family, friends, and new immigrants. In 1979, she worked with her family to open Beirut Bakery, another pioneering move as one of the first places to sell Lebanese food and pita bread in the area. She perfected her mother’s recipes and created new ones that built the bakery’s reputation for the best authentic, traditional Lebanese food.

In her retirement, she was always happiest when she could travel back home. She dedicated her time to helping her family, friends, and cherished village. Huda’s story is endless; we are all left with her legacy and lessons of humility, perseverance, and unconditional love.

Huda loved and cared for her village of Deirmimas, and would have done so even more during these perilous times for the people of South Lebanon. In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to donate to the The Deirmimas Benevolent Association (DMBA), a non-profit organization that strives to preserve, protect and enhance the lives of the people of Deirmimas.” To donate, please contact basil.a.hourani@gmail.com