ANNA MARIE SAFI

ANA MARIE "NANCY" SCOTT SAFI of Plantation, FL, passed away with her family by her side on November 30, 2021, at the age of 69.

Anna was beloved by all for her boundless selflessness, desire to educate all people and joy of helping others. She opened her heart to all, especially immigrant and refugee communities and those who desired to enter adult education as a calling. Anna's legacy is her love and devotion to her family, her steadfast desire to help others in need and her love of orange cats, thrift stores and 1950s diners.
Anna was born December 2, 1951 in Cranston, Rhode Island to her mother Evelyn and adopted by her father Harold. Her early childhood was spent in Connecticut and at the Rhode Island beaches. She attended Central Connecticut College, earned a Masters in Counseling from Rhode Island College and obtained a Masters of Education at Columbia University Teachers College where she met and married her forever husband, Abdul Qayum Safi. Anna and Abdul's devotion to each other for over 40 years is an inspiration to all. The beautiful family they would create is an everlasting reflection of their unique and unwavering love. They married on May 20, 1978 in New York, New York at the United Nations Chapel. After they both graduated from Teachers College, they moved to Kuwait in order to teach at Kuwait University and begin a family. In 1980, they welcomed their first child Khushal. Their second child, Jamal, came in 1981, followed by daughter Shireen in 1984.

The family continued Anna's tradition of spending the academic year in one area and returning to the beaches of Narragansett, Rhode Island every summer. She looked forward to spending the summers at the beach and Aunt Carrie's Restaurant with her close relatives, Jean, John and Wynne, Billy and Marie, Bobby and Jo, and Gail. In addition to traveling to the beaches, Anna and her family traveled throughout Europe, the Middle East, South Asia and North Africa.

In 1988, the family left Kuwait and moved to Rhode Island where Anna continued to educate English language learners and aspiring educators at Johnson and Wales University, while also working with refugee communities at the Genesis Center. In 2003, Anna left Rhode Island and moved to Northern Virginia with her husband. The two purchased a home in South Riding, VA and lived there until 2018 when they both retired to Plantation, FL.

Throughout her life, Anna was active in religious communities, supported countless causes related to equality and equity and was a life-long learner. But little would make her happier than watching her own family multiply and seeing her own children find their loves. The addition of Khushal's wife Erin, Shireen's partner Phil and Jamal's fiancé Nicholas brought her immeasurable joy, rivaled only by the welcoming of her cherished grandchildren Brody, Nico and Inez.

The family wishes to thank the religious community at St. Benedict's Episcopal Church. In particular, Deacon Deb and Beverly, who were with Anna throughout her battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be Saturday, December 4th, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm at St. Benedict's Episcopal Church, 7801 NW 5th Street, Plantation, FL. Arrangements are entrusted to Valerie Panciera's Landmark Funeral Home in Hollywood, FL. There will also be a memorial service in Rhode Island over the summer of 2022, which has yet to be determined.

The family asks for your prayers and emotional support during this time. Alternatively, donations may be made in Anna's honor to St. Benedict's Episcopal Church (https://www.saintbenedicts.org/giving-page) or Afghan Rural Schools (https://afghanruralschools.org/).