Ablah Therese Hishmeh

1927 - 2022

Ablah Therese Hishmeh (Totah) Ablah Therese Hishmeh (Totah) was born in Ramallah, Palestine, August 11, 1927, the eldest of four siblings. At age 9, her family immigrated to the United States, coming through historic Ellis Island. Ablah was raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison, majoring in Education. In 1952, she wed Emile Hishmeh. The couple was married 51 years, before Emile's passing in 2003. Together, they raised three children - Richard Emile Sr., Linda Therese, and Phillip Emile. In 1966, they moved to Riverside, California, where Ablah resided for 56 years. Ablah worked as a teacher for many years and helped at the family oriental rug business. She was an active parishioner and patron of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church (OLPH), where she served on the Women's Guild, as a Eucharistic Minister, and on various auxiliary committees. Ablah was preceded in death by her husband, Emile; son, Phillip; sister, Sellweh Totah of San Francisco; brother, John Totah of Los Gatos; and son-in-law, Sam Muhawi of Carlsbad. She is survived by two of her children, Rick Hishmeh (Jill) and Linda Muhawi; her brother Abe Totah; five grandchildren, Richard Hishmeh Jr.(Amber), Carey Hishmeh-Souza (Valter), Elise Diaz (Christian), Gizelle Muhawi, Antoni Muhawi (Sana); eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. In August of 2022, Ablah celebrated her 95th birthday with her immediate family. She enjoyed traveling, and for over 20 years generously hosted a family sojourn to San Diego's Catamaran Hotel, one of her favorite destinations. Under the care of family and friends, Ablah passed peacefully at home on October 29, 2022. A Mass in her honor is scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2022, at 11 a.m. at OLPH Catholic Church. Graveside services immediately follow at Riverside's Evergreen Cemetery, where Ablah is to be buried alongside her husband and youngest son.