Helen Hassen Sams of Midland, Michigan, died of natural causes on Friday, February 25th, in Brighton, Michigan, where she lived the last several years with her daughter, Sherry Sams Smith, and son-in-law, Dennis. Born in Saginaw on June 25, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Mabel Meriam and Joseph Hassen (born Youssef Saqr, a Lebanese Druze immigrant). Helen was the eldest daughter of twelve siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Arif Salim Sams, a Lebanese Druze immigrant who owned and operated the Mart Moderne Party Store in Midland and, before that, worked with his brothers in Bay City at Sams Brothers Bridal Salon and Furs. He died in October 20, 1994. She also was predeceased by sisters Rosemary, Thelma and Judy, and brothers David, Don, Jim, Dan, and Sam.
Helen was an extraordinary wife and mother. She taught herself how to cook the Lebanese dishes her husband requested and that reminded him of his childhood years in Lebanon. She learned the fine art of Lebanese cooking from her sister-in-law Adele, and many Lebanese friends who lived in the Tri City area and beyond. These same women, born in Lebanon, later praised her skills by saying she cooked Lebanese food better than they could! As her cooking reputation grew in Midland, she was asked to teach Lebanese cooking classes at venues including Northwood Institute and the Midland Community Center. When her husband, Arif, met Dow Chemical or Dow Corning executives from the Middle East at the Mart Moderne, he and Helen would invite them to their home for Lebanese food that made them feel even more welcome in the United States.
In addition to cooking, Helen enjoyed outdoor gardening and had a green thumb for all of her many indoor houseplants. She also enjoyed painting ceramics, from vases to platters to animals and figurines.
A strong believer in community service, Helen volunteered at a number of organizations, many of which had an international focus. For several years, she volunteered with the Midland Hospital Guild and the Hospital Gift Shop. Helen was involved in and actively supported her children's many activities, from the Brownies to Girl Scouts and Job's Daughters, and from the Cub Scouts to the Boy Scouts and church programs, not to mention their involvement in local sports, music and theater.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Sherry Smith (Dennis) of Brighton; sons Tommy of Washington, D.C., and Rick of Birmingham; four granddaughters; one great granddaughter and one great grandson; sisters Ruth Lashuay (Don) and Dora Noble, both of Midland; brother Ben Hassen (Jeannie) of Midland; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street in Midland. Reverend Dr. Wallace H. Mayton III and Pastor Andy Hassen will officiate, with interment at Oakwood Mausoleum in Saginaw. Mrs. Sams' family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 1st from 4-8 pm, and on Wednesday from 10 am until the time of service.
Helen was an extraordinary wife and mother. She taught herself how to cook the Lebanese dishes her husband requested and that reminded him of his childhood years in Lebanon. She learned the fine art of Lebanese cooking from her sister-in-law Adele, and many Lebanese friends who lived in the Tri City area and beyond. These same women, born in Lebanon, later praised her skills by saying she cooked Lebanese food better than they could! As her cooking reputation grew in Midland, she was asked to teach Lebanese cooking classes at venues including Northwood Institute and the Midland Community Center. When her husband, Arif, met Dow Chemical or Dow Corning executives from the Middle East at the Mart Moderne, he and Helen would invite them to their home for Lebanese food that made them feel even more welcome in the United States.
In addition to cooking, Helen enjoyed outdoor gardening and had a green thumb for all of her many indoor houseplants. She also enjoyed painting ceramics, from vases to platters to animals and figurines.
A strong believer in community service, Helen volunteered at a number of organizations, many of which had an international focus. For several years, she volunteered with the Midland Hospital Guild and the Hospital Gift Shop. Helen was involved in and actively supported her children's many activities, from the Brownies to Girl Scouts and Job's Daughters, and from the Cub Scouts to the Boy Scouts and church programs, not to mention their involvement in local sports, music and theater.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Sherry Smith (Dennis) of Brighton; sons Tommy of Washington, D.C., and Rick of Birmingham; four granddaughters; one great granddaughter and one great grandson; sisters Ruth Lashuay (Don) and Dora Noble, both of Midland; brother Ben Hassen (Jeannie) of Midland; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street in Midland. Reverend Dr. Wallace H. Mayton III and Pastor Andy Hassen will officiate, with interment at Oakwood Mausoleum in Saginaw. Mrs. Sams' family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 1st from 4-8 pm, and on Wednesday from 10 am until the time of service.
Helen Hassen Sams of Midland, Michigan, died of natural causes on Friday, February 25th, in Brighton, Michigan, where she lived the last several years with her daughter, Sherry Sams Smith, and son-in-law, Dennis. Born in Saginaw on June 25, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Mabel Meriam and Joseph Hassen (born Youssef Saqr, a Lebanese Druze immigrant). Helen was the eldest daughter of twelve siblings. She was preceded in death by her husband of almost 50 years, Arif Salim Sams, a Lebanese Druze immigrant who owned and operated the Mart Moderne Party Store in Midland and, before that, worked with his brothers in Bay City at Sams Brothers Bridal Salon and Furs. He died in October 20, 1994. She also was predeceased by sisters Rosemary, Thelma and Judy, and brothers David, Don, Jim, Dan, and Sam.
Helen was an extraordinary wife and mother. She taught herself how to cook the Lebanese dishes her husband requested and that reminded him of his childhood years in Lebanon. She learned the fine art of Lebanese cooking from her sister-in-law Adele, and many Lebanese friends who lived in the Tri City area and beyond. These same women, born in Lebanon, later praised her skills by saying she cooked Lebanese food better than they could! As her cooking reputation grew in Midland, she was asked to teach Lebanese cooking classes at venues including Northwood Institute and the Midland Community Center. When her husband, Arif, met Dow Chemical or Dow Corning executives from the Middle East at the Mart Moderne, he and Helen would invite them to their home for Lebanese food that made them feel even more welcome in the United States.
In addition to cooking, Helen enjoyed outdoor gardening and had a green thumb for all of her many indoor houseplants. She also enjoyed painting ceramics, from vases to platters to animals and figurines.
A strong believer in community service, Helen volunteered at a number of organizations, many of which had an international focus. For several years, she volunteered with the Midland Hospital Guild and the Hospital Gift Shop. Helen was involved in and actively supported her children's many activities, from the Brownies to Girl Scouts and Job's Daughters, and from the Cub Scouts to the Boy Scouts and church programs, not to mention their involvement in local sports, music and theater.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Sherry Smith (Dennis) of Brighton; sons Tommy of Washington, D.C., and Rick of Birmingham; four granddaughters; one great granddaughter and one great grandson; sisters Ruth Lashuay (Don) and Dora Noble, both of Midland; brother Ben Hassen (Jeannie) of Midland; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street in Midland. Reverend Dr. Wallace H. Mayton III and Pastor Andy Hassen will officiate, with interment at Oakwood Mausoleum in Saginaw. Mrs. Sams' family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 1st from 4-8 pm, and on Wednesday from 10 am until the time of service.
Helen was an extraordinary wife and mother. She taught herself how to cook the Lebanese dishes her husband requested and that reminded him of his childhood years in Lebanon. She learned the fine art of Lebanese cooking from her sister-in-law Adele, and many Lebanese friends who lived in the Tri City area and beyond. These same women, born in Lebanon, later praised her skills by saying she cooked Lebanese food better than they could! As her cooking reputation grew in Midland, she was asked to teach Lebanese cooking classes at venues including Northwood Institute and the Midland Community Center. When her husband, Arif, met Dow Chemical or Dow Corning executives from the Middle East at the Mart Moderne, he and Helen would invite them to their home for Lebanese food that made them feel even more welcome in the United States.
In addition to cooking, Helen enjoyed outdoor gardening and had a green thumb for all of her many indoor houseplants. She also enjoyed painting ceramics, from vases to platters to animals and figurines.
A strong believer in community service, Helen volunteered at a number of organizations, many of which had an international focus. For several years, she volunteered with the Midland Hospital Guild and the Hospital Gift Shop. Helen was involved in and actively supported her children's many activities, from the Brownies to Girl Scouts and Job's Daughters, and from the Cub Scouts to the Boy Scouts and church programs, not to mention their involvement in local sports, music and theater.
Helen is survived by her daughter, Sherry Smith (Dennis) of Brighton; sons Tommy of Washington, D.C., and Rick of Birmingham; four granddaughters; one great granddaughter and one great grandson; sisters Ruth Lashuay (Don) and Dora Noble, both of Midland; brother Ben Hassen (Jeannie) of Midland; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will take place at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, 2022 from the Ware Smith Woolever Funeral Home, 1200 West Wheeler Street in Midland. Reverend Dr. Wallace H. Mayton III and Pastor Andy Hassen will officiate, with interment at Oakwood Mausoleum in Saginaw. Mrs. Sams' family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, March 1st from 4-8 pm, and on Wednesday from 10 am until the time of service.
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