Salwa A. Hamati

Dr. Salwa A. Hamati, age 88, passed away on Sunday, September 25, 2016 at home with her family by her side. Born in Haifa, Palestine, Salwa was the daughter of Jamil and Josephine Atallah. She attended local schools there until she joined the order of the Sisters of Nazareth in 1949. Salwa entered into the order and earned her Diplome de Licencie es Lettres at the University of Lyon. After spending 10 years teaching and in vocational training in Paris, she embarked on many teaching missions in Europe and later Israel, where she was Principal of the Sisters of Nazareth School in Haifa. During that time, she studied Hebrew at the University of Jerusalem. While head of the school, she was responsible for the education of children of all elementary and secondary grades as well as their religious training. Dr. Hamati was instrumental in expanding the influence of her school, the development of her instructors, and the career and educational advisement of her pupils. Thus began her life-long interest in children and the development of relationships that have continued to the present. After many years serving with the Sisters of Nazareth, she retired from the order and traveled to Syracuse, NY, where her sister Nelly lived. Always a brilliant student herself, Salwa continued her education and in 1974, earned her doctorate in education at Syracuse University. She was employed by Christian Brothers Academy as a French language instructor and enjoyed this position for several years, where she made life-long connections with her young students, the CBA Brothers and lay staff. In 1977 she was united in marriage with George Hamati, a fellow teacher who shared her same commitment to the education of young people. They enjoyed a companionship based on their religious, ethnic and professional values until George's untimely death in 1986. After the passing of her parents, Salwa moved to Springfield, Il, to live with her sister Maggy and to be near her sister, Nelly, and her husband, John Ryan. Salwa was a devoted Aunt to her niece Karen and had the pleasure of caring and nurturing her for many years. While in Illinois, Salwa continued her work in education by tutoring languages; and also served as a translator for both commercial and legal entities. She engaged in this work after she relocated with Maggy to Utica and was also called on to evaluate French and Arabic language expertise for students at SUNY Empire State College. There are many who will sorely miss her presence in their lives, especially, her sister, Maggy Atallah, with whom she resided; sister, Nelly (John) Ryan of FL; brothers, John (Violet) Atallah of CT; and Nichola (Jane) Atallah of CA.; many nieces, nephews, and cousins including the Shaheen family of Utica. Salwa's Byzantine Mass will be held on Wednesday, September 28th at 11 a.m. at St. Basil's Melkite Church. Visitation will be held at church from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. Entombment will take place in St. Mary's Cemetery, Syracuse. In memory of Salwa, please consider donations to St. Basil's Melkite Church or St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital.

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