North Vassalboro-Sumayah Nawfel Ferris, 93, of North Vassalboro, Maine passed away on September 25, 2018. She was born on November 18, 1924, the daughter of Lebanese immigrants and the third child of Richard and Maria (Barakat) Nawfel. Sumayah grew up in Waterville, with six siblings and attended Waterville schools.
She then moved to Boston, worked as a seamstress at Boston Blouse and earned her high school diploma at English High School. She often spoke fondly of her memorable experiences… Read More » in Boston with her sister Juliet, brother Elias, and her Aunt Ludia. When she was in her mid-twenties she fulfilled her desire to return to her family and her home town.
Upon returning she found employment as a telephone operator in Waterville. She made many friends and enjoyed her work. It was around this time that she met her future husband, Deeb Ferris, at Park’s Diner, while enjoying pie and coffee with her sister Lorice.
They were married November, 6, 1950 in the basement of what was the beginnings of the construction of St. Joseph’s Maronite Catholic Church in Waterville, Maine. They were blessed with six children. Sumayah had many talents, but her greatest passion was sewing for her family.
She made baptismal gowns for her grandchildren and darling dresses for her granddaughters. Sumayah had a big heart for people in need and a love for animals. She had a great appreciation for the arts and encouraged her children to study a musical instrument.
The family home was filled with the sound of music. Family gatherings were an important part of family life and on Sundays she would be busy in the kitchen preparing a Lebanese meal. Sumayah also enjoyed reading, a good game of checkers, staying up to date with current events and shopping.
She was a member of St. Joseph’s Maronite Catholic Church and the Rosary Sodality. Sumayah was predeceased by her husband Deeb D. Ferris, her parents Richard and Maria Nawfel, her sister Juliet Saliba and her husband Beshara Saliba, her brother Dr. Elias Nawfel and his wife Jamila, and her sister Lorice Franklin. Her beloved son, Paul A. Ferris passed away on May 2, 2011.
She is survived by five children, son Thomas Ferris and his wife Nympha, Maria Ferris-Bouchard and her husband Frank, Allison Crate and her husband Stephen, Richard Ferris, daughter in-law Maryann Attallah Ferris, and Catherine Ferris Berryman. Also surviving are her grandchildren Matthew Crate, Govany Ferris, Christina Bouchard, Danielle Bouchard, Daniel Crate, Sumayah J. Ferris, Kelsey Maroon and husband Shane, and Jonathan Berryman. Her most darling great grandson Kasen Maroon was her pride and joy.
Surviving step grandchildren are Isaac Hutchinson, and his children Liam and Fiona, Beth Booth and her children Kaitlin, Emily, Julia, Abby Hutchinson and her children Ayla, Ezra, and Elsa. She is also survived by her sister Dolores Nawfel and her husband Dr. Michael Nawfel, her sister Helen Edwards and her husband Beasley, her sister Elizabeth Fowler and husband Leon, and sister-in-law Judy Ferris and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank our devoted caregivers, CNAs, nurses, and Beacon Hospice who helped create a comfortable environment for our mother.
Special thanks to Sumayah’s friends and neighbors of Vassalboro. Visiting hours will take place from 4-8 PM on Thursday October 4, at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm Street in Waterville. A Funeral Mass will take place 11 AM on Friday October 5 at St. Joseph’s Maronite Catholic Church at 3 Appleton Street, Waterville, ME.
Reception to follow. An online guestbook may be signed, memories and condolences shared at www. gallantfh.com Donations to Toys for Tots 17 Ordnance Rd, Brunswick, Maine 04011 or St. Joseph’s Building Fund, 3 Appleton St., Waterville, ME 04901 may be made in Sumayah’s memory.
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