Susie Abdelkader

Susie Virginia Abdelkader was a Polish Catholic born in the coal mining region of West Virginia. She fell in love with a Palestinian Muslim, who happened to be working his way across the country. This unique pair married and raised three boys in a loving, caring home. Susie was strong and independent as well as being devoted to the care of her husband, children and grandchildren. Born on April 22, 1917 in Richwood, West Virginia to John and Cathrinia (Mesva) Roebuck, Sophia Virginia (Susie) was the middle daughter of four girls. John and Cathrinia worked hard to raise Susie along with their other daughters, Mildred, Katherine, and Stella. Times were very difficult for immigrant families starting out in a new country. While John was trying to support his family by working in the coal mines of West Virginia, he decided to take a chance on employment at a paper mill in Muskegon, Michigan with several other Polish families. Times were so difficult that the family lost an infant son and when Susie was five years old, a wealthy family offered to adopt her, but her parents would not part with her. The Roebuck family settled into the Lakeside neighborhood on Lincoln Street, just up the street from the mill. The family attended Mass at St Michaels Catholic Church, along with all the other Polish families in the neighborhood. Only Polish was spoken at home, and it took Susie until the 9th grade before she felt she had a grasp of the English language. After quitting school, Susie worked in several local grocery stores, before finding employment at the tannery near the paper mill. On fateful day, a salesman came knocking on the Roebucks door selling linens and tapestries. Susie was completely swept off her feet at the sight of this handsome dark-haired stranger. Instantly, she knew this was the man she would spend the rest of her life with. The young couple dated for seven years and Joe sometimes thought about going back to the Middle East, but he decided that this was the place he wanted to be. Susie and Joe were married on August 15, 1947 in the Court House, since they could not be married in the Catholic Church because of Joes Islamic faith. Susie stopped going to church at this time. The young couple started their married life in Saginaw, where they bought a hotel. Two years later, they moved back to Muskegon. Over the years, they brought three handsome boys into the world: Faisel in 1948, Joe Jr. in 1953, and Jamal in 1958. The family moved into a house on Lincoln, just down the street from where Susie grew up(Susie would never live anywhere else for the rest of her life). Joe supported the family by running the Pub Bar in downtown Muskegon for a few years, before owning and operating his own establishment, Joes Place. Susie stayed home to care for the boys and run the household, sometimes helping at Joes Place if she was needed. Susie was a wonderful cook, as well as being a wonderful mother. She made a marvelous mixture of Middle Eastern dishes and Polish dishes, and was famous for her sumptuous lamb and rice rolled in wild grape leaves. When the boys were older and could be more independent, Susie put her cooking skills to good use in the Muskegon Country Club kitchen for a time. Later, she cooked for Hackley Hospital until she retired in 1984. While the familys work schedule left little time for travel, Susie and Joe did enjoy socializing with their good friends, the Rukiahs and the Zadonicks. Susie and Joe made one exception, when they traveled to Jerusalem to visit Joes relatives in 1984. It was an unforgettable trip that the two held in their hearts always. Later, when Susie became a grandmother to Jill, Kevin, Jamie, Justin, David and Lauren, she reveled in this new role the same way she had reveled in her role of being mother. She babysat for her grandchildren and helped out in any way she was needed. When her grandson, Justin played hockey for Michigan State University, she treated the entire team to steaming batches of her homemade spaghetti! She attended as many sporting events and band concerts of her grandchildren as she could. When Joe became ill, Susie tenderly took care of his needs for several years until he passed away, in 1993. It was a difficult time for Susie, losing the love of her life, but with the support of her family and friends she was able to continue on. Her oldest son, Faisel, was able to honor his mother with a trip to Jordan the following year. Susie remained independent and strong, sometimes taking long walks all the way down to Lake Michigan! She found renewed strength in her church, which she started attending again after Joes death. She went to Mass at St. Francis DeSales Catholic Church and became an active member and volunteer. She also continued to volunteer at the Hackley Hospital Cherry Guild for many years. When Susie had to give up driving at the age of eighty-eight, her family lovingly took her wherever she wanted to go (usually Meijers to shop and visit with everyone there). Susie Abdelkader was an exceptional woman. She saw past the barriers of culture and religion to love a man with deep devotional and faithfulness. She shared this same devotion and love with her children, grandchildren and great grandchild. She will be remembered for her unconditional love for all who were blessed to know her in her long and fruitful life. Susie V. Abdelkader, age 91, died Monday, March 2, 2009. Surviving are sons Faisel (Marsha) Abdelkader, Joseph Jr. (Sheryl) Abdelkader, and Jamal (Patricia) Abdelkader all of Muskegon; grandchildren Jill (Shaun Howell) Abdelkader, Kevin (Lindsey) Abdelkader, Jamie Abdelkader, Justin Abdelkader, David Abdelkader, and Lauren Abdelkader; great grandson Noah; special nieces Carlene Moose and Niameh Othman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph M. Sr. in 1993. Service will be Friday, March 6, 2009, 11:00 AM at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Simons officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, 6-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial: St Francis deSales Catholic Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.