Talha Rehman

Talha Rehman, age 66 of Midland, Michigan, died on Friday, July 20, 2018 surrounded by her children after a courageous battle with breast cancer. From her birth in Pakistan in February 1952 to her death in July 2018, she blessed those around her with support, generosity, and humor.

Talha was born to Zafar Hussein and Shameem (Akhtar) as the oldest of four children. She earned a bachelor's degree in geography and enjoyed volleyball and theater in college. Her greatest passions were painting and poetry. Her artwork drew the attention of Dr. Obaid-ur Rehman, a physician doing his hematology/oncology residency in America. They married in 1973 and lived in Chicago; Dayton, Ohio; Saginaw, Michigan; and finally settled Midland, Michigan in 1983.

When Talha was 34, her husband died suddenly of leukemia, leaving her with 7 children, ages 1 to 12 years. As a single mother, she made it her lifelong goal to raise educated, independent and hardworking children despite adversity. To their benefit, she was financially savvy and sacrificed luxuries of life like travel and home improvements. Her dedication launched the careers of 3 physicians, 2 teachers, 1 PhD and 1 literacy specialist.

Talha will be remembered as a multifaceted woman: strong, independent, principled, sensible, sharp, charming and lively. She was a great listener with sage advice, an artist and poetess of great depth and mystery, an intellect on world religions and cultures, a founder and nearly 40-year member of Sunday Schools in Saginaw and Midland, and an amazing master chef of pakistani cuisine who cherished family dinners with her children and grandchildren. She will be greatly missed.

Talha is survived by her mother, Shameem Akhtar of Pakistan; and 7 children and 10 grandchildren: Shaza Rehman; Dr. Ahmer Rehman (wife Celena Khatib, children Jibreel, Janaan, Azrina and Malaak); Sadhia Rehman; Dr. Aasia Rehman (husband Dr. Michael Lance, children Ihsaan, Ziyaan and Zarqa); Dr. Naima Rehman (husband Mansur Ashraf, children Bilaal, Jibraan and Naasir); Dr. Najibah Rehman; and Qasim Rehman; siblings Faud Zafar (wife Nilofar and children Samina and Farhan); Hammad Zafar (wife Alia and children Omaima and Saad); and Dr. Naushad Zafar (wife Atifa, children Maham, Ammar and Omer); and many more dear relatives and friends. Talha is reunited with her late husband, Dr. Obaid-ur Rehman, and her beloved father, Zafar Hussein.

To uphold Islamic burial rites within 24 hours, the family received friends for viewing and prayer on Friday, July 20, 2018 at the Islamic Center of Saginaw, followed by burial at the Chapel Hill Mausoleum and Cemetery in Freeland.

Talha had great passion for the education and support of children in need, as well as her spiritual beliefs. Thus, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Talha's name to the Human Development Foundation (hdf.com), the Islamic Center of Saginaw, or the Islamic Center of Midland.