“Sitt Miassar” recently died in Ebenezer Home in Haifa, where she spent the last years of her full life.
Miassar was born in Acco, and always loved returning to her home town to show guests and friends the alleys familiar from her childhood, and the crusader sea walls which she used to climb with her siblings to jump into the harbour.
However most of her life was spent in Nazareth, and she was a much-loved member of both hospital and church communities there.
In her early nursing days at the Hospital I understand she had the reputation for being on occasion rebellious under the strict regime expected in the nursing home; but she loved caring for people, and found her vocation in the wards and clinics, adding to her practical skills a gift for encouragement and empathy.
Miassar’s deep and uncomplicated faith underpinned all she did. She was faithful in her church commitment and involved in a number of women’s groups and bible studies.
She was fluent in English, and often served as both nurse and translator in clinics with new or temporary staff who lacked Arabic. I was fortunate to have her as clinic nurse in her latter years in the hospital. I recall her sense of humour, the care she took in conveying sometimes complicated medical information to women, and the time she also spent in explaining to me the customs of Galilee village life. She was my first and best teacher in Arabic language and local culture. Miassar would also sense when a patient needed extra encouragement, and her prayers were often added to the medical advice given.
In retirement from nursing, she continued as a familiar figure in the hospital, with her trolley of Bibles, books and small gifts for sale – see picture.
She was devoted to her family, and while she outlived all her siblings, she remained close to her nephews and nieces. She also had a wealth of adopted family from the local and international hospital community, and she loved to travel to visit them. Our daughter was especially blessed to have “Tata Miassar”; regular fun-filled days with her were a highlight of her early years, and Miassar’s love and prayers have followed her.
Miassar’s deep and uncomplicated faith underpinned all she did. She was faithful in her church commitment and involved in a number of women’s groups and bible studies.
In her last years in Haifa, she was a loved member of the community in the Ebenezer home, with both new and old friends among the residents.
We join many in giving thanks for Miassar’s long and faithful service.
“With your counsel you will guide me, and afterwards receive me into glory” Ps 73.
Dr Helen Allen and her husband Rev David Allen served at the Nazareth Hospital EMMS in the late 1980’s through to the early 1990’s where she was an Obstetrician and he the Hospital Chaplain. They currently live in New Zealand.
