Selma Sayfie Bassett

BASSETT SELMA SAYFIE, 95, a woman of grace, dignity, infinite love, beauty, and devout faith passed away on Saturday, September 14th with her family and friends gathered around her. Born on August 28th, 1907 in Katana, Syria, she entered this country through Ellis Island along with her mother, Saida Zakaib and younger sister, Mary in December 1920 and joined her father in Charleston, West Virginia. Selma married Snow Sayfie in 1924 and they had children, Ernest, Ernestine, and Eugene Sayfie. After her husband, Snow passed away, she married Nassif Bassett and had one son, Russell Bassett. She was a past president and charter member of the Syrian-American Ladies Society, a member of The Order of St. Ignatious of Antioch and she was honored by the Cathedral of St. George as their Woman of the Year. She joins her parents, husbands, and eldest son, Dr. Ernest G. Sayfie in heaven. She is survived by her loving and devoted sister, Mary Z. Ghiz, children Ernestine (Sayfie) and Elias Ede, Dr. Eugene and Suzie Sayfie, Russell and Helene Bassett, 13 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren. As our beautiful sister, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, cousin, and friend, she set a shining example of how life should be lived through faith, love and wisdom. She will be missed by all. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Cathedral of St. George building fund at 320 Palermo Avenue in Coral Gables. Viewing and Trisagion Services will be held from 6-9pm on Monday, September 16th at St. Philip's Eastern Orthodox Church at 4870 Griffin Road in Davie. Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, September 17th at 10:30am also at St. Philip's.