Samira TRABOULSI-HITTI

Age 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep on December 3, 2013. Born in Shemlan Lebanon in 1926, Samira, a gifted linguist, was fluent in English, Arabic and French. After coming to the United States in 1976, she became as she said "passable in Spanish." During her high school years, Samira was captain of the volleyball team, active in theater and a member of her church's choir. In 1944, she graduated from the American Junior College of Beirut, during that time she participated in protests against the French occupation of Lebanon. After graduation, she taught junior high school for a couple of years. In 1947, Samira married Charles Traboulsi. They lived in Egypt until the change of regime in Egypt. In 1958 the family returned to Beirut, Lebanon. In the sixties, Samira was involved in charitable causes in fundraising for several institutions, including the YWCA. She was also President of the PTA of Brummana High School. Widowed in 1976, Samira's life changed when that same year the Lebanese Civil War obliged her and her family to immigrate to the United States. She settled anew in Santa Rosa, living in the same house on East Haven Drive until her death. She worked in manufacturing for 20 years before retiring at age 72. An active member of the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa, Samira was a Deacon and a member of the Church Choir. She is preceded in death by her husband Charles Traboulsi and her four sisters Nadia Hitti and Evelyn Kenaan of Beirut, Lebanon, Nuha Stephan of Titusville, Florida and Janet Hitti of Alameda, California Fondly remembered as a woman who sacrificed and always put her family's needs ahead of her own, Samira is survived by her four children, Joy Kane and Fred, Hala and Charlie Traboulsi, two grandchildren Elena and Tina and her two siblings Suheila Dunia of Caracas, Venezuela and Said Hitti of Bethesda, Maryland. Honoring Samira and her belief in both life's struggles and a strong set of values, a Memorial Service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Rosa, 1550 Pacific Avenue, Santa Rosa, CA on Friday, December 13 at 3 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to a charity of choice.