1941
Haifa
2017
Haifa Kassas
November 6, 1941 — June 22, 2017
It is with saddenned hearts that we announce the passing of Haifa Kassas, 74 Years young. Haifa was a wife, a mother of five, a grandmother of thirteen, a great grandmother of eight (and counting), and a true friend. In every role of her life she shined with joy, kindness, compassion, and unrelenting love.
Haifa Baroud was born in Metin, Lebanon on November 11th, 1941 and met and married the love of her life George Kassas in 1957. They lived in Beirut until 1983, when they moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey. She raised her children and grandchildren and was an active member of the St. Sharbel Church in Somerset, New Jersey until they moved to Reading, Pennsylvania in 1989.
Haifa is remembered as Momma Kassas from the Sahara Restaurant. Her family owned and operated The Prime Rib Pub (1989-1994), and later, The Sahara Restaurant (1994-2005). This authentic Lebanese experience created conversation, community, and, most of all, delicious food. Haifa herself cooked the meals, her daughters, sons, grandchildren, and extended family, filled all the other roles. Momma Kassas was the soul of the Sahara. Her recipes and cooking traditions carry on through her children Amal El-Rayes, Nawal Maroun, Robert Kassas and Simon Kassas.
It is with limited words that we write the story of our mother, grandmother, wife, and friend Haifa. The breathe of her life expands beyond the normal scope of our english vocabulary. It escapes into her Arabic roots, and still searches for the right words. It is not easy because it is love. Love for her religion. Love for her family. Love for her life. Love for the people she had yet to meet. She is a rare breed of compassion. Those who knew her will remember her long after her body has left this world. In that way, she lives on for as long as she remains in our thoughts.
At the time of her passing she joins her son Elie Kassas and her mother, father, relatives, that have passed before her. She lived a devout life, she lived a humble life, Haifa was the light of our days and her passing will be a celebration of her life.
Her viewing will be held at The Crabiel Home For Funerals (170 N. Main Street, Milltown, NJ 08850) on Friday, June 23 from 5 to 8pm. Her Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 24 at St. Sharbel Church (562 Easton Avenue, Somerset, NJ, 08873) at 9:30 AM. She will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway, NJ.
Haifa Baroud was born in Metin, Lebanon on November 11th, 1941 and met and married the love of her life George Kassas in 1957. They lived in Beirut until 1983, when they moved to New Brunswick, New Jersey. She raised her children and grandchildren and was an active member of the St. Sharbel Church in Somerset, New Jersey until they moved to Reading, Pennsylvania in 1989.
Haifa is remembered as Momma Kassas from the Sahara Restaurant. Her family owned and operated The Prime Rib Pub (1989-1994), and later, The Sahara Restaurant (1994-2005). This authentic Lebanese experience created conversation, community, and, most of all, delicious food. Haifa herself cooked the meals, her daughters, sons, grandchildren, and extended family, filled all the other roles. Momma Kassas was the soul of the Sahara. Her recipes and cooking traditions carry on through her children Amal El-Rayes, Nawal Maroun, Robert Kassas and Simon Kassas.
It is with limited words that we write the story of our mother, grandmother, wife, and friend Haifa. The breathe of her life expands beyond the normal scope of our english vocabulary. It escapes into her Arabic roots, and still searches for the right words. It is not easy because it is love. Love for her religion. Love for her family. Love for her life. Love for the people she had yet to meet. She is a rare breed of compassion. Those who knew her will remember her long after her body has left this world. In that way, she lives on for as long as she remains in our thoughts.
At the time of her passing she joins her son Elie Kassas and her mother, father, relatives, that have passed before her. She lived a devout life, she lived a humble life, Haifa was the light of our days and her passing will be a celebration of her life.
Her viewing will be held at The Crabiel Home For Funerals (170 N. Main Street, Milltown, NJ 08850) on Friday, June 23 from 5 to 8pm. Her Funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 24 at St. Sharbel Church (562 Easton Avenue, Somerset, NJ, 08873) at 9:30 AM. She will be buried at Resurrection Cemetery in Piscataway, NJ.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Haifa Kassas, please visit our flower store.
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