Najla (Nawfel) Joseph Obituary (1925 - 2016)

NAJLA (NAWFEL) JOSEPH 1925-2016 FAIRFIELD, ME--Najla (Nawfel) Joseph was a star high school basketball player. In a time when girls were only allowed to play half-court ball, on a team led by a coach who wasn't sure if 'Lebanese girls' should share the floor with 'regular' girls, this was no small endeavor. Najla's warm demeanor, her disarming personality, and her stubborn nature were just the right mix to allow her to make the team, and ultimately become its star player; and this was just the beginning of an exemplary life. Najla loved to ride her baby-blue bike all around town. And when she was a bit older loved driving her baby-blue Volkswagen beetle. Najla was a force; through her entire life she lit up a room with her smile and made those all around her feel at ease. In 1946, she married Harold Joseph. Together they raised three daughters, Paula, Sharon and Tenley, and ran a wonderfully successful store in Fairfield, ME: Joseph's Clothing and Sporting Goods. Naj always made sure customers received the warmest welcome and fairest deal; all while ensuring the bills were paid and creditors happy. Najla learned, from her mother, the art of making the deeply satisfying Lebanese food that fills so many of our bellies today. Imjadara, kibbee, baba ganoush, hummus, loubieh - these dishes are in her DNA, and the DNA of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Well into her 90s, Najla loved to spend time with the light of her life - her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Paula's children, Sarah and Brian, Sharon's daughter, Emily, and Tenley's children, Nick and Hali, adored their Sitto and spent as much time with her as possible. Recently, her great grand daughters, Elizabeth (5 years) and Lorinda (3), visited her, singing songs, sitting next to her, and sharing laughter and love. Najla was born on April 4, 1925, and died on October 13, 2016, at 91 years old. In addition to her daughters, grandchildren, and great-granddaughters, Najla is survived by her brother, Dr. Michael Nawfel and his wife, Dolores, as well as sons-in-law, Kris Baxter and Jon Eustis. She was predeceased by her parents, Sam and Adma (Daghir) Nawfel and by her sisters, Laura and Amera Nawfel and Zanie Hikel. Najla Joseph will always be remembered as a delightful, loving, mischievous, big-hearted woman. There will never be anyone like her - and her family can only hope to follow in her beautiful, graceful footsteps. We will miss her profoundly. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Lawrence High School Scholarship Fund, Attn: Brenda Thomas, 9 School St., Fairfield, ME 04937 or Fairfield PAL, C/O Frank Bouchard, Jr., P.O. Box 362, Fairfield, ME 04937. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 18, at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 60 Eustis Parkway, Waterville, ME. An online guestbook may be signed and memories shared at www.lawrybrothers.com Arrangements are by Lawry Brothers Funeral and Cremation Care, 107 Main St., Fairfield, ME.