Shams Hegab Ghoneim

Shams Hegab Ghoneim passed away on Sept. 5, 2023, at Oaknoll Retirement Residence of Iowa City after a brief illness. She was born on July 3, 1946, in Cairo, Egypt. However, Shams lived most of her life in the place she truly regarded as home, Iowa City, Iowa. In 1966, she immigrated to the United States with her husband of 57 years, Dr. Mohamed Ghoneim. Shams had a degree in agricultural engineering from Cairo University and a Master of Science from the University of Iowa. She worked as a senior research assistant at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and the College of Medicine, specializing in electron microscopy. In addition to her professional endeavors, she was committed to public service. She served as the president and vice-president of the ACLU of Iowa, the first Arab and Muslim to do so. She was the Human Rights Commissioner for Iowa City, sat on the advisory board for the University of Iowa Center for Human Rights, was a member of the editorial board of the Iowa City Press-Citizen and named chair and co-chair of the University of Iowa Council on Disability Awareness (CDA). She was actively engaged in interfaith dialogue and advocacy in the community. She was the president of the Iowa City Consultation of Religious Communities (CRC), the coordinator of the Muslim Public Affairs Council of Iowa (MPAC), director of the executive board of the Iowa City Mosque and a support group member for the Mother Mosque of America in Cedar Rapids, the first house of worship built for Muslims and the oldest existing mosque in the country. Shams was a longtime volunteer at the University of Iowa Children's Hospital where she also served as chair of the volunteers. She is survived by her husband Mohamed, her brother Yehya Hegab, son Omar, daughter Natasha, granddaughters Mahri and Lila, daughter-in-law Ami Novoryta, son-in-law Craig Atkinson and the extended Ghoneim, Rashad and Hegab families in Egypt. Known to many as a gentle soul with a vibrant presence, fitting as Shams means sun, in Arabic, she was also an amateur artist, a mentor to many near and far and an avid storyteller. Her burial and final arrangements are in keeping with Islamic faith and traditions that guided her life. The family shares both their grief and joyful memories with all those whose lives were touched by her loving presence. Online condolences may be shared at www.lensingfuneral.com.