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Hanan Rizkalla Obituary
Worcester - Hanan (Gharghour) Rizkalla, 65, of Worcester passed away peacefully Thursday, March 9th 2017, with her devoted husband and family by her side after a brief illness.
Hanan was born in Hadath, Lebanon, a daughter of Elias and Marie (Zeilah) Gharghour. In 1973, Hanan married her love, Checri B. Rizkalla, and lived in Worcester, where they have dedicated their lives to one another and their family for the past 43 years. For the past 18 years, Hanan was an insurance claim supervisor for the Nationwide Insurance Company, formerly Harleysville Insurance, retiring September 26th three months early due to illness. She previously was a school teacher in Lebanon.
Hanan is survived by her husband Checri "Chic"" Rizkalla; her two children she cherished, Paul Rizkalla and Andria Gabis, both of Worcester; three grandchildren, Alexa Rizkalla, Nicholas and Zachary El-Dahr; two brothers, Antoine Gharghour and his wife Arlete of Worcester, Ibrahim Gharghour and his wife Najat of New York; a sister, Hayat Assaf and her husband Jacques of West Roxbury; her mother in law, Mary (Ansara) Rizkalla of Worcester; many nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters in law and extended family members.
Hanan was very spiritual and religious; She loved her faith, her family and her friends. Selfless in life, Hanan always thought of others before herself; her husband and children always came first in her life no matter what. She was their backbone and remained devoted to her nearest and dearest, especially her beautiful grandchildren, who fondly called her ""Sitto"" Hanan. She also enjoyed going out with her work friends and being a wife, mother and especially a grandmother. She will be greatly missed.
Friends and relatives are invited to calling hours Thursday, March 16th from 5pm to 8 pm and again from 9:00 am to 9:45 am Friday March 17th in St George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna St. Her funeral service will follow at 10:00 am. Burial will be in Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St George Orthodox Cathedral, 30 Anna Street 01604. THE MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. is honored to be assisting the family with arrangements.
www.mercadantefuneral.com
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Memories and Condolences
for Hanan Rizkalla
Sponsored by Mercadante Funeral Home & Chapel - Worcester.
checri rizkalla
March 7, 2025
8 years have passed, but my love to you remains as strong as ever . your memory live on in my heart. the memories we shared comfort me every day.
Checri Rizkalla
March 5, 2024
My love continue to be a part of us forever, even though you may not be physically present." "The 7-year death anniversary is a reminder that our loved ones may be gone, but the love we shared with them will always remain.
I hope you can see Paul and give him a kiss from me.
Andria Gabis
April 16, 2017
No words can express the love between Mother & Daughter.
The most selfless Mother & Grandmother who put others needs first.
A terrible loss for our family, you are deeply missed.
On this Holy day of Easter, I know you are in Heaven watching down on us.
Forever in my heart,
Love Andria
Hayat, Jacques, Rita and Frank Assaf
April 16, 2017
My dearest sister, Hanan, I miss you terribly and think of you all the time. I will always cherish the lifetime of wonderful memories we shared from the day we came to this country and all of our adventures and trips that we took together. You were the best godmother and aunt to my children. You always thought of everyone else before yourself. Life will not be the same without you. We miss and love you dearly.
Rest in piece.
Honey Checri
April 16, 2017
Grief can be so hard, but my special memories help me cope.
I will always miss you until we meet again.
Happy Easter.
March 21, 2017
I worked with Hanan many years ago at Worcester Insurance - she was always such a lovely person and a pleasure to work with. Often in the years after I left I would see her at St Anne's in Shrewsbury and all she talked about was her family and especially her grandchildren.She had so much love for all of you. So sorry for your loss.
Alice Moriarty
March 17, 2017
Love you so much Hanan you meant much to us all
Brenda Labouef
March 16, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss Chic she was one of a kind and will be truly missed i always loved her smile it lit up every room she walked into. My prayers are with you and your family. Love always Brenda Labouef
Kerrie Desautell
March 15, 2017
Chic, Paul and Family, So very sorry for your loss. Hanan was like a second mom to me for years and was one of the kindest women I have known. This all brings tears to my eyes and I'm so sorry that you are all going through this. Stay strong and live a beautiful life, that's definitely what she would want for all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Xoxoxo
Arlete and Tony Gharghour
March 15, 2017
Hanan - We will miss you dearly. You were the best sister any brother can ask for and were like a sister to Arlete. Not having you around in this life is like having a piece of us missing. We will carry you in our hearts forever. RIP.
Najat Gharghour
March 15, 2017
I quote Mother Teresa to describe Hanan :"A woman's love is in action. She looks with her heart and feels with her eyes. A woman is the bank where her family deposits all anger, worries and hurt. A woman is the cement that keeps her family together and her love lasts a lifetime."
Hanan, we will miss you dearly.
Najat and Ibrahim Gharghour
Momen El Nesr
March 14, 2017
Dear Chicri and Paul, Words cannot express my feelings of sorrow on hearing about your loss. You are being held in my thoughts and heart.
Dave and Lisa Shapleigh
March 12, 2017
To Paul and the Rizkalla family,
We are so very sorry for your loss. Heaven has gained another angel.
With deepest sympathy,
Margaret Abboud
March 12, 2017
I am so sorry for the loss of your beautiful mother , wife and grandmother . She was so Christ like in everything she said and or did for her friends at Harleysville / Nationwide . She will surely be missed . We will continue to pray for her family at this difficult time . God Bless
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