Helen David

Helen David died Friday, July 21, 2006 following a heart attack she suffered in her home. She was born in Port Huron to the late Tony and Elizabeth Hibye who were immigrants from Lebanon. Helen attended Port Huron Schools and graduated from St. Stephen High School. Her parents opened an ice cream parlor at the location where her business, the Brass Rail Bar, is operated. Helen married Sol David of Detroit in 1939. He died in 1967. Helen was a charter member and past president of the Cedar Club of Port Huron and returned on several occasions to visit Beirut, Lebanon. She was active in the Licensed Beverage Association serving as president of the St. Clair County Association and on committees for the Michigan Association. She was a Founder's member of St. Jude's Hospital and was active in many local and state organizations. She was president and a member of Downtown Port Huron, Inc. and later the Downtown Development Authority. Helen was on the Blue Water Economic Forum and on the committee for the Senior Citizens Center. She was a member and past president of Gamma Nu Sorority, a member and past president of the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary Board, member and a past president and honorary board member of Marydale Center for Senior Citizens. She worked on countless projects for the city and its residents including the United Way, Muscular Dystrophy, New Catholic Central High School, Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau, Senior Citizens causes and the People's Clinic. She was an active member of the Community Foundation. She received numerous awards, including the 1974 Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Service Award, the 1975 Michigan Licensed Beverage Association Appreciation Award, the 1975 Humanitarian of the Year award from the American-Lebanese-Syrian Club, 1983 Michigan Licensed Beverage Association Outstanding Membership Award, 1985 Woman of the Year Award, 1986 Spirit of Port Huron Award, 1987 Sports Hall of Fame Award and 1999 Women of Distinction Award by the Blue Water Council of Girl Scouts. Helen was an avid sportswoman, fisherwoman and golfer. She was a winner of the Field and Stream Fishing Contest for Bone Fishing in Florida. Helen was an active sponsor of many local sports teams, including bowling, baseball, softball and hockey. Helen is survived by numerous nephews and nieces, including Charles Ganim, his wife, Mary and their two children, Sol Ganim and Helen Dicky; a niece Georgette Saikaly who resides Lebanon; Tony and David Abou-Ganim, the children of George Ganim, deceased; John, Ida and Michelle Abou-Ghanem of Zahle, Lebanon; Tony Abou-Ghanem and Marourn Abou-Ghanem and the families of Phil, Edward and Joe Fadell deceased and numerous nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her aunt, Mary Maklouf. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Joseph Catholic Church. The Rev. Simeon T. Iber will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Visitation is 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday and 3 to 9 p.m. Monday in the Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening. Pallbearers are the Honorable Daniel J. Kelly, Frederick F. Swegles, Sol Ganim, Tony Abou-Ganim, David Abou-Ganim and the Honorable David C. Nicholson. Honorary pallbearers are the Board of Directors of the Community Foundation, Laura Newsome and the Board of the Senior Citizens Center and Officials of the Mercy Hospital People's Clinic.