Cosette Halabi Nassif

Cosette Nassif, 92, of Austin, TX passed away on May 23 surrounded by her loved ones.

Cosette was born July 14, 1929 in Kabb-Elias, Lebanon to Rizkallah and Asma Halabi. Her father was a highly literary man, and so she was named Cosette after the character in Les Mis?rables, having been born on French Independence Day. She was the first in her family to go to university, where she received a degree in education. An independent woman at heart, she taught in kindergarten at several schools around Lebanon, before founding her own school, the "Happy Home" in Beirut, Lebanon. She nurtured and taught many young people there, and made such an impact that they often kept in touch with her through adulthood, updating her on their marriages and children of their own. She married Anis Nassif in 1953, and is survived by her sisters Samia, Mona, and Salam, her three children Kamal Fakhouri, Sani and Wassim Nassif, and her five grandchildren Onsi, Sani Jr., Victoria, Kamal Jr. and Lia as well as her three great grandchildren Joseph, Aileen, and Cosette Jr.

Taita (the word for Grandmother, which is how she preferred to be called) was highly creative, and nurtured many talents. She was particularly fond of sewing, knitting, quilting and crafting in general, and she leaves us with many handmade articles that will be treasured. Around Taita, everything and everyone grew. She believed in the value of learning something new every day, growing her mind and spirit, and would often pass on interesting facts and observations from her books and her internet research, ever the teacher. She took great joy in cultivating and tending to her garden, which gave us many flowers, fruits, and jams over the years, growing our bellies with figs, persimmons, and loquats, za'atar, purslane, and mint, and adding beauty to our lives with roses, 4 o'clocks, blue irises, gladiolus, and more flowers than you could count.

Like all Lebanese, hospitality and good food were important to her, and she passed on those ideals to her children and grandchildren, spending countless hours patiently teaching invaluable recipes and sharing stories. She will be remembered by many who have feasted at her table and been welcomed by her fond embrace and laughing eyes.

At her request there will not be a funeral or remembrance service, and no mourning or wearing of black.