Mary Louise Saliba

SALIBA Mary Louise (Farran) Mary Louise Saliba, 91, was born to George and Evelyn (Chehardy) Farran on July 8, 1918 in Toledo, Ohio. She died on October 20, 2009. Mary Louise was graduated from Scott High School where one of her favorite activities was playing softball. After high school she worked for Surface Combustion, Lamson's and eventually as an executive secretary for Toledo Public Schools, from which she retired after 38 years. Mary Louise was an accomplished concert pianist. No family or church event was complete unless Mary Louise was seated at the piano. She married the love of her life, Munsel J. Saliba, on November 1, 1942. They were married for 64 years. Among Mary Louise's loves were family, singing, dancing, and cooking. Her family was always foremost in her thoughts, actions and prayers. She never failed to give her parents, siblings, children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and Godchildren undying love and attention. Mary Louise remembered every birthday, Christmas, Easter, and anniversary, forgetting no one. She often reminisced about dancing with Munsel - including the Big Apple. No one could enter her home without partaking of a delicacy or two. Then she would package a treat for the road. She quietly saw to it that people in need were cared for. Mary Louise served as Sunday School Teacher as well as Superintendent of the Sunday School of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church for 38 years. During these years she influenced the lives of countless children to whom she became a mentor and example of one who followed God's calling, sharing freely her loving heart with all of her extended family of Christ. As superintendent, she designed an unequaled curriculum which was shared with Orthodox churches across the United States. She was a member of The Order of St. Ignatius, The St. Elias Ladies Society, as well as the Joseph Darah American Legion Post Auxiliary. The annual Poppy Sale was a highlight of every year. She was also a devoted member of The Retired Secretaries of Toledo Public Schools. As a member of The Toledo Opera Guild, Mary Louise was a member of the mailing committee, rarely missed a luncheon or fundraiser and loved attending every opera. She was honored at the closing luncheon last June. Mary Louis is survived by her daughters Barbara J. Brown and Carole Ann (Thomas) Kwiatkowski, her grandson, Brian D. (Patti) Brown, granddaughters Jenifer Brooke (Steven) Bronikowski, Meghan Nicole Kwiatkowski and her fiance Ryan Kiel, and great-grand-children Hannah Rae and Tessa Nicole Bronikowski. She is also survived by siblings, George (Evelyn) Farran, John (Deanna) Farran, Violet (William) Barrow, Diana Farran (Robert), Yvonne (Dale) Mock, sister-in-law, Jeanette Saliba and myriad nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Munsel, her parents, brother Robert Farran, brothers-in-law, William Barrow, Dale Mock, Louis Saliba, Otto Shook, and sisters-in-law Myrtle Saliba Shook and Lettie May Saliba. The family would like to thank the Very Reverend Father Paul Albert, Dr. Sarma V. S. Katrapati and his office staff, the fourth floor staff at Flower Hospital, and Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg for their kindness and exceptional care. Friends and relatives may gather from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, October 22 at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue, (between Douglas and Secor Roads) where Trisagion Prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Following the service at Ansberg-West, Mary Louise will be taken to St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 4940 Harroun Road, Sylvania, Ohio, where there will be an all night vigil. On Friday, friends may gather at St. Elias at 9 a.m. where psalms will be read. The funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. Friday, with the Very Reverend Father Paul Albert officiating. Interment will be in Ottawa Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, one may wish to donate to St. Elias Church, Hospice of Northwest Ohio in Perrysburg or the charity of one's choice.

Mary Louise Saliba

July 8, 1918 - October 20, 2009