Sameera J. Nazy

Sameera J. Nazy, beloved sister, aunt, great aunt, and friend, passed peacefully on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 surrounded by loved ones after a battle with cancer.

Sameera was born April 17, 1959, in Baghdad, Iraq, after her parents, Jamil and Mary Nazy, were displaced from Palestine during The Nakba. Shortly after, the family moved to Jordan, where she spent most of her childhood. Sameera had fond memories of her time in Jordan, focusing on all the ways the community came together when times felt difficult during the war and how her house always had people coming to find shelter, peace, and comfort.

In 1970, her parents and one older sister, Laurice, were able to move to the United States. She sweetly remembered her older brother Musa acting as the protector of the family. Sameera also remembered the then toddler-aged Nuha crawling around so cutely in Jordan. Her older, pre-deceased, sister Diane kept the family together in Jordan.  In 1971, Jamil and Mary were able to bring over the remaining children to the United States. That’s when Sameera came to the United States, settling in Ridgewood, NJ where she attended high school.

After high school Sameera pursued a degree in biochemistry and remained a contributing member in the family, holding various jobs including as an early computer operator, then known as key punch technician. However, in her 20s, upon seeing a sign on the road as she drove to her sister, Norma’s house, she made the decision to serve in the US Army. Also, her brother Nick had recently returned from serving in the US Navy and that gave her the confidence to do it. Early in her military career, she chanced a meeting with a general in military intelligence by crashing an officer’s only party, and became a part of the military intelligence unit as a certified Arabic and French translator for the remainder of her service. She is most proud of her time in the Army and spoke fondly of even the hard times in basic training. Upon completion of her time with the Army, Sameera became a master watch maker and worked with her siblings Nick and Hilda. Upon her return to Ridgewood, she spent her time focusing on family, including with her sister Claudette. Sadly, in 2005, Sameera’s youngest brother, Simon Nazy passed from a tragic boating accident. She was deeply affected by his passing since they spent a lot of time together in the house they grew up in.

Upon the passing of her parents, Sameera moved to Carteret, NJ. She kept a lovely home open to anyone who wanted to visit.

She is survived by her siblings, Norma Hanna and husband Abouna Edward, Laurice Hannah and husband Shawky, Hilda Nazy, Musa Nazy and wife Maral, Claudette Halwagy and husband George, Nicola (Nick) Nazy and wife Rita, and Nuha Nazy.

She was an amazing auntie to all her nieces and nephews. She was always willing to share her  secret stash of candy when they visited her - including classics like her favorite Circus Peanuts. She was also a very loving great aunt and took joy in bringing goodies for the next generation of little ones.

She was a great friend to the lucky few and a very loving Godmother, too.

In her life, she was most proud of serving in the US Army and spending time with family.

Condolences & Funeral will be held on Thursday, December 22nd at 10am at the Assyrian Orthodox Church of Virgin Mary located at 644 Paramus Rd, Paramus, NJ 07652. Following a burial ceremony at Laurel Grove Cemetery (295 Totowa Rd, Totowa, NJ 07512), will be a repass at Cedars Lebanese Cuisine located at 5 Main Ave, Wallington, NJ 07057.

If you are so inclined, donations can be made in her memory to the We Soldier On Organization. May the Lord bless her soul.

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