Rose Helen Darah

Surrounded by her loving family, Rose Helen Darah of Toledo died after a lengthy illness March 18, 2012 at Toledo Hospital. She was 90. Rose was a keenly intelligent woman who mastered French and Spanish at an early age. She was headed for a career in teaching but the era in which she grew up dictated a different direction. Her husband and children became her passion, one from which she never deviated. Rose was a sensitive, gentle soul who rarely voiced anger or spoke ill of anyone. She was as devoted to her church as she was to her family. In fact, the church was an extension of her family. Rose was a fine cook, specializing in Lebanese-Syrian foods and pastries. The Darah kitchen, directed by Rose, was the focus and joy of many family gatherings over seven decades. Rose was born April 22, 1921 in Peoria, Ill. to Frank and Melvina Haddad Shemas. At two she moved to Toledo, where she grew up on Mulberry Street in the citys Lebanese-Syrian neighborhood in the North End. An athletic and competitive girl, Rose enjoyed playing tennis, baseball and basketball at The Friendly Center on North Superior Street, often getting the best of her male friends. She graduated in 1935 from the Lagrange School and from Woodward High School in 1939. She was valedictorian of both of her graduating classes. In addition to French and Spanish, Rose was fluent in Arabic and knew Latin. At Woodward, she was news editor of the schools newspaper, the Tattler. Her father died when she was 11, in the midst of the Great Depression, so Rose worked at Krogers, the Lion Store and the University of Toledo while she was a student there. The onset of World War II forced Rose to leave college and seek full-time employment. For the duration of the war, she was employed by the Plaskon Division of Libby-Owens-Ford Glass Co., where as a secretary she translated French and Spanish into English. On July 31, 1946 Rose married William Darah, Sr., also a North Ender. Rose and Bill were devoted to one another and were rarely apart. They celebrated their 65th anniversary last year. Rose had a wide range of interests, including musicals and plays, cooking, bowling and cards - in particular, Whist and Bridge. She was a lifelong member of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, where she was past president of its Ladies Society and, along with many in her family, a lifelong member of the choir. Rose was also a member and past president of the Joseph Darah American Legion Auxiliary. Rose was preceded in death by her brothers, James and Nicholas Shemas; sister, Elsie Kaleel; and son-in-law, Robert Cooper. Surviving are her husband, William Darah, Sr.; son, William Amira Darah, Jr.; daughters, Diana Cooper and Janice Darah; sister, Elaine George; sisters-in-law, Emily and Sally Shemas; and granddaughters, Natalie Rose and Alyssa Marie Darah. Visitation will be from 3 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22 at Walker Funeral Funeral Home, 5155 W. Sylvania Ave. west of Corey Road, where Trisagion prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Funeral services will be Friday, March 23, at 10 a.m. at St. Elias, 4940 Harroun Rd., Sylvania, with Rev. Father Ignatius Warren presiding. Interment will follow at Toledo Memorial Park. The family would like to thank Dr. Mark Fine, Franciscan Care Center and Innovative Dialysis Systems for their efforts on behalf of Rose. Contributions to the St. Elias Endowment Fund. Online condolences can be expressed at walkerfuneralhomes.com.