Jeanette (Aboujaoude) Sawma, 78, of Niagara Falls, NY passed away Saturday, September 8, 2012. Born in Broumana, Elgabi, Lebanon, she was the daughter of the late Assad and Saleme (Koury) Aboujaoude.


Jeanette was educated in Lebanon, and in 1953 she married Tafe J. Sawma in Beirut, Lebanon, and together they moved to the United States. Ret. Lt. Col. Tafe Sawma predeceased her on December 23, 2005. Jeanette worked in the souvenir shop for Maid of the Mist in Niagara Falls, NY, where she found delight in conversing with foreign visitors in Arabic, French and Spanish. Mrs. Sawma was also a fifty-five year member of the former Sacred Heart Church in Niagara Falls, NY. She also was a volunteer in the gift shop at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center and a member of the John Duke Senior Center in Niagara Falls, NY. Most importantly, she enjoyed spending time with her family, cooking Lebanese cuisine, and entertaining guests.


Mrs. Sawma is survived by four children, Catherine (Les) Bridgeman, Jeannine (Robert) Scibilia, James (Victoria) Sawma, and Annette (David) Rodriguez; eight grandchildren, Les (Geetha) Bridgeman, Elisabeth (Michael) Armbruster, Sarah Bridgeman, Marc Scibilia, Matthew Scibilia, Juliana Sawma, Katie Rodriguez, and Lauren Rodriguez. She was predeceased by a granddaughter, Chloe Sawma. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Olivia, Talia, Caleb, and Joshua; her siblings Margo of Venezuela, Joseph, and Madelyn, both of Lebanon; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Jeanette was predeceased by three siblings, Teckla, Mansour, and Elias.


No prior visitation. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated Tuesday September 11th at 10:00 AM at Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph Parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, 27th St. and Independence Ave., Niagara Falls, NY with Rev. Duane Klizek, officiating. EVERYONE PLEASE ASSEMBLE AT CHURCH. Interment in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lewiston, NY. Memorials may be made to Niagara Hospice, 4675 Sunset Dr. Lockport, NY 14094. Arrangements by M.J. COLUCCI & SON NIAGARA FUNERAL CHAPEL, 2730 MILITARY RD. NIAGARA FALLS, NY. (298-1800)