Anna M. "Ilda" Ghantous

Anna (Ilda) Margarita (Romanous) Ghantous, of Peoria, Illinois, entered into her Heavenly reward on Wednesday, July 31, 2024.
She was born on November 2, 1930, in Caracas, Venezuela to the late Jamil and Najeebe Romanous. She married Dumit Ibrahim Ghantous on August 29, 1955, in Tripoli, Lebanon. He preceded her in death.
Anna is survived by her children, Georgette (Harry-deceased) Williams, Mary (Tom) DuBois, Janet (Carlos) Salem, and Abraham Ghantous. She was the proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren and has 36 great grandchildren. She also has many nieces and nephews who were a very important part of her life. Anna is survived by two sisters, Jeanette Khattar and Georgette Siedlecki.
She was preceded in death by her parents, granddaughter Natalie Alwan, husband Dumit Ghantous, sisters Ivette Alwan and Houlia Monla, and her son-in-law Harry Williams.
Anna immigrated to the United States from Lebanon in 1956 with her husband, Dumit and 3-month-old daughter. She worked as a seamstress who specialized in making ladies dresses and men's suits, a career she worked hard at until she was 92 years old. Anna was always known for her hospitality and care of her relatives and friends while also caring for her four children. She made everyone feel at home and as if they were part of her family. It was a well- known fact that whenever she prepared a meal, she blessed it and somehow it multiplied where she had enough leftovers to send to her sisters, children, grandchildren, and even customers who came to their tailor shop. She volunteered at church related and charitable events and even used her culinary skills to teach Lebanese food preparation to a group of chefs in the Peoria area. There was nothing more important to Anna than her faith and the love and companionship of her family.
Visitation will be held at St. Philomena Catholic Church on Sunday, August 4, 2024 from 3:00-5:45 PM, with Recitation of the Rosary at 5:45 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 AM on Monday, August 5, 2024 at St. Philomena Catholic Church. Father Bechara Awada will officiate, and burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Peoria.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Sharbel Church, St. Philomena Church, or Heller Center for Kids with Cancer.
Friends and family are encouraged to log onto www.wrightandsalmon.com to sign the online guestbook, submit photos and share Anna's memorial page via social media.
Funeral arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Wright & Salmon Mortuary. (309-688-4441)