WATERBURY - Precious and treasured daughter, sister, friend, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Mrs. Najla G. Noujaim, 83, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at the VITAS Hospice at St. Mary's Hospital following a tragic accident. She was the trusted wife of the late George S. Noujaim and the fifth of seven children born to the late Elias and Eter (Choueiri) Rizk of Maassir-El-Chouf, Lebanon. She left an indelible mark on her adopted city of Waterbury as the family matriarch to a strong and thriving Lebanese community. Part of a core group of respected elders, she commanded admiration and was revered by generations, who willingly gave of their hearts because she so freely gave of hers.
Mrs. Noujaim was born on March 6, 1930 in the traditional mountain village of the Maassir-El-Chouf, where she was educated in local schools. In 1947, she and George were married. Enduring the Civil Wars in Lebanon and economic depressions, they raised six sons on the family apple orchard, where they instilled values of hard work, education, and dedication. After George's passing in 1977, Najla immigrated to the United States, where she became involved in religious and civic life, enjoying the many friendships she made along the way, while maintaining strong ties to her Lebanese culture. She made her home with several of her sons and their families, moving to her apartment on East Main Street in 2006. Her sunny nature and quick wit made her a favorite in the building, where she spent much of her time cooking and enjoying both American and Arabic television shows. She was especially fond of "Wheel of Fortune" and the Arabic version of "Dancing with the Stars."
Known as "Mom" to her sons and daughters-in-law, she also answered to many other endearing monikers, namely the Arabic words for Grandmother and Auntie: "Teta," "Martkhalie," "Tante," and "Amto." Not only did she treasure all the time she spent with her grandchildren, but also the time she spent with their friends, as it was said that she "collected grandchildren" along the way. This was evidenced by all the non-Lebanese children who fondly spoke of her as their own, which was as she liked it. She embraced with pride her children and grandchildren's accomplishments in the business, medical, arts, and technology fields and extolled in their achievements.
There was never a topic she didn't want to discuss, whether serious conversations about her native Lebanon or lovingly teasing her granddaughters about their boyfriends. Affectionately known as "411" for the level of information she possessed on any topic, it was well known that she was always available for "consultations." Her "social butterfly" status in the Lebanese community was renowned, and her sons laughed at the way she would "get out of one car and into another." Her apartment was always filled with the things she loved best - aromatic cooking scents, laughter, photos, and the knickknacks collected on her own trips or those of her family. She both collected and gave memories that last longer than a lifetime and taught life lessons, often without knowing it, including such important virtues as how to perfectly peel a grapefruit, eating an éclair from the "inside out," always jumping on quilts when taking them off a bed, and never, ever forgetting to play.
Najla's cooking was legendary, and many freezers and refrigerators will be emptier without her, as will so many hearts in the local area and beyond. She would be touched to realize that not only will her presence be deeply missed in this city, but also in many other cities across multiple states, multiple countries, and even multiple continents.
Her legacy will live on through her sons and their wives, Selim and Linda of Waterbury; Joseph and Daad of Watertown; Fouad and Hiam of Waterbury; Naim and Marie of Waterbury; Emile and Charlotte of Waterbury, and Nazih and Celine of Prospect. She also leaves her sisters Mounira Azar of Zahle, Lebanon and Samira Hajj of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, and her 14 grandchildren: Bridget Noujaim; Carole (Stacey) Noujaim; George N. Noujaim; Jessica (Anthony) Cusato; Rebecca Noujaim; George J. Noujaim (Kayla); Joelle Noujaim; Leila (Kenneth) Colson; Crystel Noujaim; Pamela Noujaim; Melissa Noujaim; Paul Noujaim; Patrick Noujaim, and Christopher Noujaim. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren whom she dearly cherished: Alexis, Jacob, Mya, Madison, Morgan, Vincenzo and Emmanuelle. Other special survivors include a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many treasured friends. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her sisters Angele and Jamal, their brother George, George's twin brother who passed away at birth, and her nieces Hanane Noujaim, Olivia Noujaim, and Yvette Khairalla, all of Lebanon.
Her family would like to gratefully acknowledge the compassionate and loving care given by Dr. Zarif, Dr. Jabbour, and the staff at O'Brien 7, Xavier 3, and VITAS at St. Mary's Hospital.
Funeral services for Mrs. Noujaim will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. at SS Peter & Paul Church 67 Southmayd Rd. Waterbury CT. Those planning to attend are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. Friends and relatives may visit with Najla's family at Eastside Memorial, A Casey Family Funeral Home & Tribute Center 1987 East Main St @ Southmayd Rd. on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Najla's family requests that memorial donations be made to: The Maassir Annual Reunion Association (MARA), c/o 73 Highview Drive, Harwinton, CT 06791, or to The Archbishop's Waterbury Catholic Education Scholarship Fund, c/o Sacred Heart High School, 142 South Elm Street, Waterbury, CT 06702. To extend on-line expressions of sympathy to the family or for additional information, kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.eastsidememorial.com .
"One day you will ask me which is more important? My life or yours? I will say mine, and you will walk away not knowing that you are my life." Lebanese author Kahlil Gibran
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Najla Noujaim, please visit our flower store.
Mrs. Noujaim was born on March 6, 1930 in the traditional mountain village of the Maassir-El-Chouf, where she was educated in local schools. In 1947, she and George were married. Enduring the Civil Wars in Lebanon and economic depressions, they raised six sons on the family apple orchard, where they instilled values of hard work, education, and dedication. After George's passing in 1977, Najla immigrated to the United States, where she became involved in religious and civic life, enjoying the many friendships she made along the way, while maintaining strong ties to her Lebanese culture. She made her home with several of her sons and their families, moving to her apartment on East Main Street in 2006. Her sunny nature and quick wit made her a favorite in the building, where she spent much of her time cooking and enjoying both American and Arabic television shows. She was especially fond of "Wheel of Fortune" and the Arabic version of "Dancing with the Stars."
Known as "Mom" to her sons and daughters-in-law, she also answered to many other endearing monikers, namely the Arabic words for Grandmother and Auntie: "Teta," "Martkhalie," "Tante," and "Amto." Not only did she treasure all the time she spent with her grandchildren, but also the time she spent with their friends, as it was said that she "collected grandchildren" along the way. This was evidenced by all the non-Lebanese children who fondly spoke of her as their own, which was as she liked it. She embraced with pride her children and grandchildren's accomplishments in the business, medical, arts, and technology fields and extolled in their achievements.
There was never a topic she didn't want to discuss, whether serious conversations about her native Lebanon or lovingly teasing her granddaughters about their boyfriends. Affectionately known as "411" for the level of information she possessed on any topic, it was well known that she was always available for "consultations." Her "social butterfly" status in the Lebanese community was renowned, and her sons laughed at the way she would "get out of one car and into another." Her apartment was always filled with the things she loved best - aromatic cooking scents, laughter, photos, and the knickknacks collected on her own trips or those of her family. She both collected and gave memories that last longer than a lifetime and taught life lessons, often without knowing it, including such important virtues as how to perfectly peel a grapefruit, eating an éclair from the "inside out," always jumping on quilts when taking them off a bed, and never, ever forgetting to play.
Najla's cooking was legendary, and many freezers and refrigerators will be emptier without her, as will so many hearts in the local area and beyond. She would be touched to realize that not only will her presence be deeply missed in this city, but also in many other cities across multiple states, multiple countries, and even multiple continents.
Her legacy will live on through her sons and their wives, Selim and Linda of Waterbury; Joseph and Daad of Watertown; Fouad and Hiam of Waterbury; Naim and Marie of Waterbury; Emile and Charlotte of Waterbury, and Nazih and Celine of Prospect. She also leaves her sisters Mounira Azar of Zahle, Lebanon and Samira Hajj of Hyde Park, Massachusetts, and her 14 grandchildren: Bridget Noujaim; Carole (Stacey) Noujaim; George N. Noujaim; Jessica (Anthony) Cusato; Rebecca Noujaim; George J. Noujaim (Kayla); Joelle Noujaim; Leila (Kenneth) Colson; Crystel Noujaim; Pamela Noujaim; Melissa Noujaim; Paul Noujaim; Patrick Noujaim, and Christopher Noujaim. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren whom she dearly cherished: Alexis, Jacob, Mya, Madison, Morgan, Vincenzo and Emmanuelle. Other special survivors include a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and many treasured friends. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her sisters Angele and Jamal, their brother George, George's twin brother who passed away at birth, and her nieces Hanane Noujaim, Olivia Noujaim, and Yvette Khairalla, all of Lebanon.
Her family would like to gratefully acknowledge the compassionate and loving care given by Dr. Zarif, Dr. Jabbour, and the staff at O'Brien 7, Xavier 3, and VITAS at St. Mary's Hospital.
Funeral services for Mrs. Noujaim will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2014 when a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 1:00 p.m. at SS Peter & Paul Church 67 Southmayd Rd. Waterbury CT. Those planning to attend are asked to go directly to the church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Waterbury. Friends and relatives may visit with Najla's family at Eastside Memorial, A Casey Family Funeral Home & Tribute Center 1987 East Main St @ Southmayd Rd. on Friday, February 28, 2014 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, Najla's family requests that memorial donations be made to: The Maassir Annual Reunion Association (MARA), c/o 73 Highview Drive, Harwinton, CT 06791, or to The Archbishop's Waterbury Catholic Education Scholarship Fund, c/o Sacred Heart High School, 142 South Elm Street, Waterbury, CT 06702. To extend on-line expressions of sympathy to the family or for additional information, kindly visit the funeral home website at: www.eastsidememorial.com .
"One day you will ask me which is more important? My life or yours? I will say mine, and you will walk away not knowing that you are my life." Lebanese author Kahlil Gibran
Guestbook
Visits: 41
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors