Catherine “Cathy” Thabit died Saturday, October 24, 2015, after a brief illness at Mercy St. Anne Hospital, Toledo. She was 85. She was, simply, an extraordinary woman. Polio crippled her body at 23 but not her spirit or faith. She lived a full life 100% on her terms. She was tenacious and fiercely independent, but spiritual and compassionate. She was a stylish dresser who kept a meticulous home that was always brightly decorated for every holiday season. Her greatest joy was hosting her many nieces and nephews and other family members. Catherine had a keen and lively mind and an incredible memory, especially for her family history. Despite frequent pain and ailments related to her polio, she rarely complained and was more interested in the well-being of others.
Catherine was born in Toledo on May 16, 1930, to Abraham and Nora Sabback Thabit, immigrants from Kfeir, Lebanon and Damascas, Syria, respectively. She graduated from Woodward High School in 1948. She worked as a clerk typist for the former Doehler-Jarvis from 1948-53 and from 1960-87 as an administrative assistant for the city of Toledo’s Community Development Department. Catherine was a lifelong member of St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church where she was a member of the Ladies Society.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Thabit, and her sister-in-law, Betty Thabit. Surviving are her brother, George (Nancy) Thabit and sister-in-law, Virginia (James) Thabit. Also surviving are nieces, Susan Thabit and Carol Thabit, and Karen (Scott) Lawrence; nephews, Brian (Bernadette) Thabit, Douglas (Lisa) Thabit and Michael Thabit; great-nephews, Anthony and Christopher Haddad, Zachary Lawrence and Brandon Thabit; great-nieces, Emily Haddad, Valerie Lawrence, Ashley (Cody) Young, Brooke Thabit, Bailey Thabit and Sarah Thabit; great-great-nephew, Luke Michael Shay; great-great-nieces, Emma Marie Daugherty and Luna Dawes; godchildren, Susan, Carol and Doug Thabit, Sandra (Hunt) Saunders and Robyn (Thomas) Anderson, and adopted goddaughter, Kathy Hunt. Catherine wanted to recognize her “special” cousins, Gene, Michael, Kathy, Sandy and the late Sarah Hunt, Phyllis (Paul) Craver and George (Kathleen) Sabback; all her Mall friends; her caregiver, Rayetta Williams, and her daily phone pal, Bailey Thabit.
Visitation will be Wednesday, October 28, from 2-8 p.m. at St. Elias Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church, 4940 Harroun Rd., Sylvania, where a Trisagion Prayer service will be held at 7 p.m., and Thurs-day, October 29, from 10-11 a.m. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. October 29 at the church with V. Rev. Arch-priest Ayman Kfouf officiating. Contributions may go to the church or a charity of the donor’s choice . Walker Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be shared at: walkerfuneralhomes.com
