Mary Rezcallah

Mary Rezcallah passed peacefully into eternal life on April 22, 2015 while surrounded and embraced by her children and grandchildren. Mary has joined her loving husband, Toufik Rezcallah, and now together they rest with the righteous. Mary was born in Kfeir Hasbaya, Lebanon to Wadih Abou Rahhal and Nellie Thabit. Mary was one of eleven children and was raised in beautiful southern Lebanon in the foothills of Mount Hermon. Mary received her education in Kfeir and was raised up in the Orthodox Christian tradition. She was a loyal and faithful member of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, her entire 88 years on this earth. As a young woman, her family received a visitor, a son of their village who had emigrated to the USA years earlier. Toufik requested Mary’s hand and they were joined in holy matrimony. They travelled months by ship to come to Toledo, Ohio to forge a life together. They brought four precious children into this world: George, Linda, Sandy and Nancy. After 23 years of marriage, Toufik departed this life and Mary dedicated herself entirely to her family and her church. With her youngest child Nancy, only 4 years old, Mary embarked on her successful 45 year career as a single mother. With young Nancy by her side, Mary saw to the education and marriage of her three eldest children. Mary raised her children with a mind towards education, namely Christian education, as members of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church. “Sitty Mary” was known for her love, kindness, gentle nature and perhaps most of all, her hospitality. Her home was always open for family and friends who were on the receiving end of her gracious hospitality. Mary employed large, lavish Sunday dinners to keep her family close and we were fortunate to share these with her for many years. Gatherings at Sitty Mary’s home lasted into the night with many friends and relatives coming by to enjoy a hearty meal and good fellowship. Many recall that Mary would have an impromptu gourmet feast set out on the table for them within minutes of entering her home. Mary always had candy in her purse for her grand-children. Mary was a do-it-yourself woman, and she did everything well. She was a superb Mother, Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, aunt and great-aunt. She and Toufik owned and managed properties that they worked on themselves, something Mary carried on by herself long after her husband passed away. She received and hosted her siblings when they emigrated from Lebanon. Mary cultivated an extraordinary garden complete with everything from mint and zaatar to apricot and plum trees. She taught us how to garden, cook Lebanese cuisine, can vegetables, bake Qurban, paint, crochet, knit, and make apricot jam. The ornate ceiling plaster designs in her home were done by her own hand. Sitty Mary enjoyed Byzantine liturgical music. Her strong work ethic was an example to all of us. Mary was a faithful member of the St. Elias Ladies Society and worked tirelessly to support her church. Her fervor for giving and service to the church was transferred to her family members, who have carried it with them around the nation. Mary baked the Qurban (Holy Bread) for St. Elias for nearly 35 years, and for this received The Certificate of Meritorious Service from His Eminence Metropolitan Archbishop Philip Saliba on May 12, 1985. Mary is survived by her four children: Son George (Nouha), Daughters Linda (Mitchell) Swentzel, Sandy Stark and Nancy; 6 grandchildren: Anthony (Myrna), Vanessa, Alexander (Farah), Sarah (David), Joshua, and Holly; and three great-grandchildren: Mary, Anna, and George; as well as many devoted nieces and nephews. Mary was preceded in passage to eternal life by: her loving husband Toufik, and her ten siblings. Visitation will be held at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church (4940 Harroun Road, Sylvania, OH) on Sunday April 26, 2015 from 4-9 p.m., with Trisagion Prayers at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue Monday April 27th from 10-11 a.m. followed by the Paschal Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church, followed by interment at Forest Cemetery. Donations may be made in Mary’s memory to St. Elias Orthodox Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com. Memory eternal thou good and faithful handmaiden Mary!