Al- Abbas , Amelia

Amelia Al-Abbas, 45, Appleton, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at her home. She was born on November 6, 1969, in Warsaw, Poland, daughter of Kassim and Barbara Al-Abbas, sister of Jarek Al-Abbas.

Amelia's life took her around many countries on three continents, and she made her most recent permanent home in Appleton, WI, together with her husband of 24 years, Marek Labinski, and their 14-year-old daughter, Maya Anna. In her childhood, Amelia with her family divided time between her family's two permanent residencies in Baghdad, Iraq, and Warsaw, Poland. She went to high school in Algeria, completed her studies in medicine at the University of Warsaw, Poland, and her internal medicine residency in Chicago, IL. In September 2000, Amelia started her first job as an internist in Chippewa Falls, WI. Four years later she joined Theda Care, Appleton, WI, as a hospital medicine physician. Diagnosed with breast cancer at 35, Amelia nevertheless led an active private and professional life, traveling around the world with her family, reading voraciously, going on a medical mission to Haiti, advocating for breast cancer awareness among young women, talking to elementary school kids about cancer and cancer treatments, and treating patients as a hospitalist. In 2012, she experienced cancer recurrence, but having quit work, she continued to lead a busy life focused on her daughter, her husband, and her closest friends as well as on many newly-discovered pursuits.

Trilingual (in Polish, English, Arabic), Amelia always preferred the language of love. Receiving state-of-the art cancer treatments, Amelia never ceased, in her life, to beam with courage, happiness of life, belief in human potential, and fantastic wonder about being surrounded by people she had the privilege and pleasure to meet. In fact, she called people in her life --family, friends, coworkers, acquaintances -one of its biggest miracles. The only bigger miracle for her has been her daughter, Maya, with whom she enjoyed many an hour of reading, talking, making art, walking, traveling, or just being with.

Amelia is survived by her husband, Marek Labinski, daughter, Maya Anna Labinski, her mother Barbara Al-Abbas, and her brother Jaroslaw Al-Abbas. She was preceded in death by her father, Kassim Al-Abbas.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at the Kessler Funeral Home, 304 S. Commercial St., Neenah. Inurnment will take place at St. Mary's Cemetery, Appleton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are appreciated to Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors without Borders) at www.doctorswithoutborders.org

The family would like to thank all of you who have had a chance to come in contact with Amelia during her life. That interaction was wondrous and it shaped Amelia and, hopefully, you too. Special thanks to Basia Tota-Boryczka, Debbie Ralston, Kasia Miastkowski, and Edie Krueger.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Appleton Post-Crescent on May 3, 2015.

Memories and Condolences
for Amelia Al-Abbas

27 Entries

Omar V Gobby

May 8, 2024

Nine years...I still cannot accept this.
Not a day goes by that I do not think of Marek and Maya. You were very special to me. You were a great friend. You were like my sister. I still simply cannot fathom a world without you in it.
You are not gone...not to me. You are firmly entrenched in my memories. And good memories, they are. I know you are watching out over Marek and Maya...tell them "hi" for me.

Omar

April 27, 2023

You occupied a very special role in my life. I miss you every day...and I always pray for you, Marek and Maya. You were like a sister to me...and that is something no one can ever take away from me. One day, you and I will meet again. You will always be our Dear Flaca.

Omar Gobby

April 27, 2022

I still think of you a lot, Amelia. You were a very special person and I will always cherish our friendship. We fought like brother and sister, and also laughed together like brother and sister. You've left a beautiful legacy in Maya and an indelible mark in my heart and memory.

My thoughts are always with Marek Maya and you as this day approaches every year.

One day, I shall see you again...and we will laugh together again.

omar gobby

April 27, 2020

Five years later, and I still cannot believe it. Amelia was like a sister to me...and Mark is one wonderful person. I pray for and remember Amelia every day...

Mary Murray

April 27, 2019

It's sad when a young person dies. Doubly sad when such a wonderful young person dies. We miss you Amelia.

Omar Gobby

April 7, 2016

I can't believe it has been almost a year. Amelia, you were the younger sister I never had. You shared a lot with me, and I with you. You will always be one of those people who made a lasting impact on me.

I remember when you first told me about your illness. I was crushed. But you remained upbeat and confident. That is a lesson I will always keep in mind.

You, Mark, and Maya will always remain in my thoughts. Rest peacefully.

omar Gobby

August 12, 2015

It has taken me this long to finally be able to say anything. Amelia was very special to me. And Marek, you're a hell of a guy. She was a great friend, co-worker, colleague, confidante, etc. I was just devastated when I found out what happened...but then I reflected on Amelia and her attitude. She was so strong. And positive. The loss is great. But her impact on people even greater. This place is worse for the loss, but the memories will always remain.

May 31, 2015

Sorry for the loss of your loved one. We all look forward to the future promises found at Psalms 37:29 where the righteous ones will live forever on the earth.

T.H

Patty

May 6, 2015

I am so blessed to have met such a beautiful spirit.

May 6, 2015

The loss of such a wonderful person and physician words fail to fully capture or describe. My prayers to her family.

May 5, 2015

Not only did I have the pleasure of working with her often, but she was working when my Aunt Mic passed away unexpectedly. She was so wonderful and I feel blessed that I knew her. My deep condolences go out to her family during this sad time...

Jean

May 5, 2015

I loved how gentle & gracious Dr. Al Abbas was with the patients. We spent many nights at AMC working together as well as getting to know each other. Although I have relocated, I have never forgotten her.

Jessica Martin

May 5, 2015

Amelia was one of my sweetest and most memorable clients and friends I have ever had. I'm pretty sure that she is one of the only people who when I asked how her chemo was going- she responded "wonderful! I have met so many wonderful people there". She made me strive to find the beauty and positive in everything. My heart goes out to Marek and Maya and all of her family and friends. It truly was a blessing knowing her. She made everyone around her better people. I already miss her dearly.

Alicia Gregoire

May 4, 2015

Dr. Amelia Al-Abbas was a wonderful person and she will be greatly missed. I am so grateful to have known her. I am deeply sorry for your loss and I hope you can find comfort in the memories of Amelia's gift of Love.

elizabeth

May 4, 2015

One of my favorite docs to have ever worked with, so much gratitude for her belief in me and encouragment

Kate Wickesberg

May 4, 2015

a beautiful women from her heart. a wonderful women from her personal. that you can see through her picture. I do not have a chance to meet or talk. but I know she is an amazing person. I could never find a word that can make her family and my teacher Mark to get through this time. We are really sorry for your loss.

Karen Digman

May 4, 2015

Amelia was the definition of kindness. She was a wonderful physician to work with and took such good care of my father during his illness. Thoughts and prayers to her family.

Jenny Rae

May 4, 2015

My fond memories of this wonderful woman and physician are the nights we talked on a personal level at Appleton Medical Center while working together. She always took the time to really listen and get to know me. My heart is heave. I will miss her.

Sylvia Adessa

May 4, 2015

Thinking of you in your time of sorrow. It was an honor to meet Amelia at the Cherry Meadows Renovation open house. Blessings to your family

May 4, 2015

What a wonderful woman and doctor Amelia was. She spent many nights talking to me on a personal level while working alongside her at Theda Clark. Rest in peace. Prayers of comfort for her husband and daughter. She will be missed immensely!!

Rose Zoesch

May 4, 2015

Although we only met a few times, Amelia's grace, beauty and zest for life left an impression on me. My heart goes out to Mark and Maya.

Pauline Polar

May 4, 2015

She was the most amazing person. So kind,always remembered everything about you. She will be greatly missed. I am so sorry for your loss.

R W

May 4, 2015

I am very sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. May your memories bring you comfort. My heartfelt condolences to the family during this time of sorrow. (1Corinthains 15:26) (Isaiah 61:1,2) Please find peace in knowing that He understands your grief and He cares. 1 Peter 5:6,

May 3, 2015

She was an angel of the highest order

Jeanne Bellin

May 3, 2015

The world has lost one of the kindest people I've ever known. This is a very sad day, and my heart goes out to Amelia's family.

Anne Marie Abderholden

May 3, 2015

My heartfelt condolences to Marek and Maya. I hope you find the strength to get trough this difficult time

Mary Murray

May 3, 2015

Truly one of the greatest women I've ever had the privilege of meeting. This community, as well as the whole world she belonged to, will miss her greatly.

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