Thelma J. Assaf, 96, passed away on Monday, December 13, 2021, with her daughter at her side.
Thelma was born on July 26, 1925 to Ameen and Rachel Malooly in Detroit, MI. She was the eldest of seven children, and grew up in Grosse Pointe Park, MI. She graduated from Dominican High School in 1943. She married Edmund S. Assaf on April 15, 1951. They made their home in Port Huron, MI and were married for over 51 years. Together they had two children, Lynn and Edmund A. “Ted”. Her husband preceded her in death on November 28, 2002.
Thelma was a wonderful wife and mother. She was very active in her children’s lives, ferrying them to ice skating and swimming lessons, chaperoning school trips, cheering at Little League games. Thelma played the piano and instilled the love of music in her children. There was always music in the home. She was dedicated to hosting and working various annual events for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a charity she supported even to the present. She was the last surviving member of the penny Poker Club, a group of several good friends, who would meet and play cards and laugh together. They set a five-cent limit, and it never wavered.
She worked outside the home, after her children were grown, at Port City Communications as an operator. Upon retirement she led many trips for the League of Catholic Women, with her husband along at her side. They enjoyed numerous trips together.
Thelma was an active member of various organizations including ALSAC/St. Jude for 64 years, Woman’s Life Club 10 for 64 years; member and past president of the Cedar Club; volunteer at Port Huron Hospital for 35 years, including serving as chair of the Wismer Lobby for several years, 2003 Volunteer of the Year, and as Auxiliary President. She was most recently a member of the Belles of St. Mary women’s ministry.
But more than anything, she loved to spend time with her beloved family. She loved her granddaughters and treasured every moment with them. There was great joy and love in sharing delicious homemade Lebanese dinners together. In the summer of 2019, she hosted a joyful 3-day family reunion in her back yard with 70 family members in attendance. She teased at doing it again this past summer, if not for the pandemic. She said, “If I put up a tent, they’ll come!” She so loved all her family on both the Malooly and Assaf sides.
Thelma is survived by her daughter, Lynn G. Assaf of Fort Gratiot; son and daughter-in-law, Edmund A. “Ted” and Marjorie Assaf of Virginia Beach, VA; two granddaughters, Samantha Lynn Assaf of Virginia Beach and Erin Nicole Assaf of Arlington, VA; her sisters, Lila Tahnoose of Grosse Pointe Park, MI and Sandra McFadden of Blue Bell, PA; her brother, Robert Malooly of Minneapolis, MN; and many nieces, nephews, and countless friends who loved her dearly.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother George Gerald Malooly, and her sisters, Delores Sawan and Diane Codde.
The Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, January 7, 2022 in Holy Trinity Parish St. Stephen Church with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. The Reverend Bradley Forintos will officiate. For the health and safety of family and friends, everyone is asked to wear a mask and follow social distancing precautions.
Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, Port Huron.
For those wishing to attend virtually, the Mass will be live-streamed on January 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. The link can be found on Thelma’s obituary page on the funeral home website: www.karrersimpson.com
Memorial donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the wishes of the family. Arrangements are being handled by Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home.
