Emilie B. Saliba

Emilie (nee Sawaya, 94) Saliba was born in the beautiful town of Bteghrine Lebanon on April 5, 1925 to Bechara and Yasmine Sawaya. She was the fourth child (Aziz, Eugenie, Emile, and Joseph) of a proud family. Even early on in her life, she showed her nurturing and loving spirit of helping take care of her nieces and nephews and was a favorite aunt to many of them, a relationship that continued into their adult lives.

In 1952, she married the love of her life, Elias Diab Saliba, with whom she shared 67 loving years of marriage. They were inseparable their entire married life. They were blessed with 5 children; Joseph (Dorothea) Saliba, Ramona (Michael) Keller, Georges (Beverly) Saliba, Tony (Susan) Saliba and Hanane (Douglas) Eisentraut. She dearly loved and cherished being around her 10 grandchildren; Elias, Maria (Chris), David (Amanda), Michelle, George, Emily (David), Richard (Stephanie), Joey (Jenna), Justin, and Alaina and 5 great grandchildren; Brooke, Jacob, Noah, Raymond, and Charlotte.

Emilie not only was the homemaker raising her children with the tender loving care she was known for but she was also an integral part and partner in helping her husband start and grow what became a very famous winery and beverage company. They would work day and night in order to put their children in the best schools in the country. They recognized the importance of education and would sacrifice any amount of comfort or money for their children's education.

After enduring the height of the Lebanese civil war, Emilie and her husband immigrated to the United States in 1987. They left everything behind because they wanted to be among their children and grandchildren. Their joy increased with the birth of every grandchild and especially when they got to pick them up from school or have them spend time at their house.

One of her proudest moments was when she and her husband became US Citizens. You could see the tears of joy and pride in their eyes during the swearing in ceremony and the appreciation they had for this great country for the second chance and the great opportunities it gave their family.

Emilie was a master cook and baker of the rich Lebanese cuisine. No family gathering was less than a feast with everyone's favorite dish. Whether you are family or friend, no one left their house hungry or without trying one the amazing delicacies she was known for.

Known as a gentle soul, we do not ever recall her raising her voice at anyone. You will not find anyone she did not treat kindly. To her, kindness and love was the solution to any issue whether it is a neighborhood squabble or family misunderstanding.

Emilie enjoyed and was gifted at knitting, crochet, and needle work. She made sure she knitted a sweater to give to each of her children for Easter every year, and a sweater for each of the grandchildren as they were born. Later in life, she worked to crochet or needle point a set for each of her kids and each of her grand kids to remember her by. This speaks not only of the hard work she had and instilled in her children but also in the joy she derived from giving of her time and her talent to those she loved dearly.

Visitation will be on Friday June 28 from 5:30 - 8:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home on 3380 Dayton-Xenia Rd. Beavercreek Ohio 45432. Mass of Christian burial will be on Saturday, June 29 at 10:00 a.m. at the Queen of Apostles Church on 4435 E. Patterson Rd. Beavercreek Ohio 45430. Interment will be at Woodland Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ignatius of Antioch Maronite Catholic Church, 5915 N. Springboro Pk. Dayton, Ohio 45449.

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