Obituary
Gladys Shamie
1927 - 2023
With shattered and broken hearts, we regretfully announce the very sad passing of Gladys Shamie Aziz, surrounded by family, on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at the remarkable milestone age of 95. She succumbed peacefully to her many health challenges which had plagued her over the last several years but which she had faced with inspirational courage and unwavering faith and fortitude. This marks the end of an era which fills us with wistful nostalgia.
Born and raised in Montreal, Gladys was predeceased by her loving parents Eva and Joseph Shamie, and by her beloved husband Fred Aziz of 61 years of marriage at the time of his death in 2012. Both as a daughter and a wife, Gladys dedicated herself to caring for all of them throughout all their illnesses until their respective passings. Her loyalty, love and selflessness were beyond reproach. She possessed a strong sense of family and was the “Florence Nightingale” of sorts.
Mourning her passing but also celebrating her incredible life are her loving daughters and sons-in-law (who she regarded as sons) Carolyn and Suheyl Muskara and Beverley and Ron Courey ; her cherished grandchildren who absolutely adored their Sitto - Kimberley (Tabah) and Geoffrey Matthew, Megan (Tabah) and Gabriel Zellmer, Gregory Courey and Fannie Parizeau-Lamoureux, Stephen and Emily (Chacra) Courey, Kemal Muskara and Vanessa Sanchez-Muskara, Murat and Fulya Muskara and her sweet great-grandchildren who filled her heart with love - Knox and Benjamin Matthew, Elias and Lucas Zellmer and Sinan and Layla Muskara.
The matriarch and heart and soul of her family, Gladys would do anything for all of her loved ones. She loved, protected and doted upon them unconditionally and devotedly. She guided and nurtured them, taught them life’s lessons with respect, patience, tenderness and a high standard of morals and values and imparted infinite knowledge and wise counsel. She was always concerned with their wellbeing and interested in all their activities, encouraging and supporting them without fail. They were the light of her life and an immense source of pride and joy. Super Sunday breakfasts, her famous “Bûche de Noël”, celebrations, holidays and trips to Florida will never be the same.
Gladys is also survived and will be greatly missed by her treasured brothers and loving sisters-in-law who became the sisters she never had - Norman and Adele Shamie, George and Nora Shamie, Emile and Georgia Shamie, Loretta Shamie (the late Michael Shamie) and Christine Shamie (the late Raymond Shamie). She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law Fred and Marie-Paule Shamie. From an early age, Gladys accepted with ease and commitment her position in the family as the only daughter/sister. She became her parents’ right hand and a second mother to her six brothers who she loved dearly and watched over. She wanted the very best for them, but also expected the very best behavior from them. As petite and delicate as she was, she kept them in line and was the glue and strength in this group of seven. Her brothers loved, respected and admired their “Gladdy” as they affectionately called her. Whether at the family summer cottage in Ste. Adèle, at their home in Outremont or at each other’s homes, they all had tremendous fun, made lasting memories and stayed extremely close throughout the years.
Gladys was predeceased by her wonderful Aziz brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in London, Ontario with whom she shared a loving sisterly bond and memorable family memories - Victor and Florine Aziz, Mitchell and Barbara Aziz and Sylvia (Aziz) and Donald McGeein.
Gladys will be fondly remembered by her numerous cousins, nieces and nephews not only in Montreal and other parts of Canada but also in the United-States and Lebanon who enjoyed spending time with her as she did with them.
With her father being one of the eight founding members of St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal, the church, her Orthodox faith, her Bible and the power of prayer were an integral part of her upbringing. They remained steadfast and strong within her until the very end, as did her sincere gratitude for her blessings in life.
Until advanced age and medical issues slowed her down, Gladys was proudly and actively involved in the charitable activities of her church and community. She was a long time member of the Antiochian Women of St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal and the Ladies Aid Society where helping the church and those in need were of paramount importance to her. Her innocent, gentle, generous and compassionate soul made her an ideal volunteer who led from her heart. With a warm smile, a kind hug and a soft-spoken, thoughtful and respectful word, Gladys made everyone feel appreciated and welcomed. She was discreet and humble in nature, elegant and graceful in demeanor and carried herself with undeniable pride, dignity and integrity. Always lovely and refined, she was a lady in the true sense of the word. Through these community organizations were formed close and enduring friendships, which she valued highly and to which she was loyal. Gladys loved socializing with “the girls” and hosting bridge or trenka card games and tournaments. She will be in the thoughts of her many friends.
Gladys’ passions were cooking and music, both of which she inherited from her childhood years. Under her mother’s tutelage she developed excellent culinary skills and was applauded for her delicious cooking and baking delights….all prepared with love and masterful perfection from her massive recipe collection. The extraordinary part was her ability to resist temptation! She never sampled her desserts or over-ate for fear of gaining weight and ruining her slim figure. Gladys was well known for her nutrition awareness, strict dieting and exercise routine. Music was also a constant presence in her home with her beautiful operatic voice, the sounds of the “big bands” and the tunes of her brothers’ musical instruments echoing throughout.
As a family we feel blessed and privileged to have had such a special mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother as a role model for so long. We thank God for gifting us with her and our precious memories. We only hope and pray to follow in her footsteps, emulate her shining example, honour her legacy and make her proud. Bidding her farewell, no matter the age or circumstance, is extremely difficult and a monumental loss which leaves an immeasurable void in our lives. We find comfort knowing that she is no longer suffering and is now reunited with our dear father who is happily
embracing his “porcelain doll” once again. May mother rest in peace with dad and may their blessed memory remain eternal. We will forever love and treasure you both.
The family wishes to thank the Cedars Home for the Elderly, its administration, staff, caregivers and Dr. Tarek Khreiss, for the professional, loving, respectful and attentive care they gave to mother over the last two and a half years. We felt reassured knowing she was in a safe environment surrounded by “earth angels” at a most distressing time.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. David Dawson who
diligently attended to mother’s overall healthcare from 1987 until her admission into the Cedars Home in 2020.
Special love and acknowledgement to Dr. Roger Tabah who was like a son and who never hesitated to assist when called upon.
We also thank Lina for her many years of trusted friendship.
The family will receive condolences at Urgel Bourgie, 1255 Beaumont Avenue, TMR, on Tuesday March 21, 2023 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal, 555 Jean-Talon Street East, Montreal, H2R 1T8. Burial at Mount-Royal Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal (at the above address) or to The Cedars Home for the Elderly Foundation, 1275 Côte-Vertu Blvd., Bureau 200, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, H4L 4V2 or call Susan Kouri at 514-383-1459.
Born and raised in Montreal, Gladys was predeceased by her loving parents Eva and Joseph Shamie, and by her beloved husband Fred Aziz of 61 years of marriage at the time of his death in 2012. Both as a daughter and a wife, Gladys dedicated herself to caring for all of them throughout all their illnesses until their respective passings. Her loyalty, love and selflessness were beyond reproach. She possessed a strong sense of family and was the “Florence Nightingale” of sorts.
Mourning her passing but also celebrating her incredible life are her loving daughters and sons-in-law (who she regarded as sons) Carolyn and Suheyl Muskara and Beverley and Ron Courey ; her cherished grandchildren who absolutely adored their Sitto - Kimberley (Tabah) and Geoffrey Matthew, Megan (Tabah) and Gabriel Zellmer, Gregory Courey and Fannie Parizeau-Lamoureux, Stephen and Emily (Chacra) Courey, Kemal Muskara and Vanessa Sanchez-Muskara, Murat and Fulya Muskara and her sweet great-grandchildren who filled her heart with love - Knox and Benjamin Matthew, Elias and Lucas Zellmer and Sinan and Layla Muskara.
The matriarch and heart and soul of her family, Gladys would do anything for all of her loved ones. She loved, protected and doted upon them unconditionally and devotedly. She guided and nurtured them, taught them life’s lessons with respect, patience, tenderness and a high standard of morals and values and imparted infinite knowledge and wise counsel. She was always concerned with their wellbeing and interested in all their activities, encouraging and supporting them without fail. They were the light of her life and an immense source of pride and joy. Super Sunday breakfasts, her famous “Bûche de Noël”, celebrations, holidays and trips to Florida will never be the same.
Gladys is also survived and will be greatly missed by her treasured brothers and loving sisters-in-law who became the sisters she never had - Norman and Adele Shamie, George and Nora Shamie, Emile and Georgia Shamie, Loretta Shamie (the late Michael Shamie) and Christine Shamie (the late Raymond Shamie). She was predeceased by her brother and sister-in-law Fred and Marie-Paule Shamie. From an early age, Gladys accepted with ease and commitment her position in the family as the only daughter/sister. She became her parents’ right hand and a second mother to her six brothers who she loved dearly and watched over. She wanted the very best for them, but also expected the very best behavior from them. As petite and delicate as she was, she kept them in line and was the glue and strength in this group of seven. Her brothers loved, respected and admired their “Gladdy” as they affectionately called her. Whether at the family summer cottage in Ste. Adèle, at their home in Outremont or at each other’s homes, they all had tremendous fun, made lasting memories and stayed extremely close throughout the years.
Gladys was predeceased by her wonderful Aziz brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law in London, Ontario with whom she shared a loving sisterly bond and memorable family memories - Victor and Florine Aziz, Mitchell and Barbara Aziz and Sylvia (Aziz) and Donald McGeein.
Gladys will be fondly remembered by her numerous cousins, nieces and nephews not only in Montreal and other parts of Canada but also in the United-States and Lebanon who enjoyed spending time with her as she did with them.
With her father being one of the eight founding members of St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal, the church, her Orthodox faith, her Bible and the power of prayer were an integral part of her upbringing. They remained steadfast and strong within her until the very end, as did her sincere gratitude for her blessings in life.
Until advanced age and medical issues slowed her down, Gladys was proudly and actively involved in the charitable activities of her church and community. She was a long time member of the Antiochian Women of St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal and the Ladies Aid Society where helping the church and those in need were of paramount importance to her. Her innocent, gentle, generous and compassionate soul made her an ideal volunteer who led from her heart. With a warm smile, a kind hug and a soft-spoken, thoughtful and respectful word, Gladys made everyone feel appreciated and welcomed. She was discreet and humble in nature, elegant and graceful in demeanor and carried herself with undeniable pride, dignity and integrity. Always lovely and refined, she was a lady in the true sense of the word. Through these community organizations were formed close and enduring friendships, which she valued highly and to which she was loyal. Gladys loved socializing with “the girls” and hosting bridge or trenka card games and tournaments. She will be in the thoughts of her many friends.
Gladys’ passions were cooking and music, both of which she inherited from her childhood years. Under her mother’s tutelage she developed excellent culinary skills and was applauded for her delicious cooking and baking delights….all prepared with love and masterful perfection from her massive recipe collection. The extraordinary part was her ability to resist temptation! She never sampled her desserts or over-ate for fear of gaining weight and ruining her slim figure. Gladys was well known for her nutrition awareness, strict dieting and exercise routine. Music was also a constant presence in her home with her beautiful operatic voice, the sounds of the “big bands” and the tunes of her brothers’ musical instruments echoing throughout.
As a family we feel blessed and privileged to have had such a special mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and great-grandmother as a role model for so long. We thank God for gifting us with her and our precious memories. We only hope and pray to follow in her footsteps, emulate her shining example, honour her legacy and make her proud. Bidding her farewell, no matter the age or circumstance, is extremely difficult and a monumental loss which leaves an immeasurable void in our lives. We find comfort knowing that she is no longer suffering and is now reunited with our dear father who is happily
embracing his “porcelain doll” once again. May mother rest in peace with dad and may their blessed memory remain eternal. We will forever love and treasure you both.
The family wishes to thank the Cedars Home for the Elderly, its administration, staff, caregivers and Dr. Tarek Khreiss, for the professional, loving, respectful and attentive care they gave to mother over the last two and a half years. We felt reassured knowing she was in a safe environment surrounded by “earth angels” at a most distressing time.
We extend heartfelt gratitude to Dr. David Dawson who
diligently attended to mother’s overall healthcare from 1987 until her admission into the Cedars Home in 2020.
Special love and acknowledgement to Dr. Roger Tabah who was like a son and who never hesitated to assist when called upon.
We also thank Lina for her many years of trusted friendship.
The family will receive condolences at Urgel Bourgie, 1255 Beaumont Avenue, TMR, on Tuesday March 21, 2023 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm and 7:00 to 9:00 pm.
The funeral service will be held Wednesday, March 22, 2023 at 10:00 am at St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal, 555 Jean-Talon Street East, Montreal, H2R 1T8. Burial at Mount-Royal Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to St. George Orthodox Church of Montreal (at the above address) or to The Cedars Home for the Elderly Foundation, 1275 Côte-Vertu Blvd., Bureau 200, Saint-Laurent, Quebec, H4L 4V2 or call Susan Kouri at 514-383-1459.