Raoufeh Khalil Kassicieh

In loving memory of Raoufeh Kassicieh, a loving mother, grandmother, wife, and sister. Raoufeh was lovingly known as 'Tata' by all of her grandchildren. She was born in Jerusalem, Palestine in 1926 to her parents Katingo Nunu and Nasri Kassicieh. She was the second oldest of seven children.

Raoufeh was born in the Old City of Jerusalem and grew up in Kattamon (East Jerusalem). After 1948, she took her brothers and sisters to Lebanon and lived there for two years, after which they returned to Jerusalem. Raoufeh married Khalil Kassicieh in Bethlehem, Palestine in 1950. They had three children: Suleiman, Samir, and May. Khalil and Raoufeh established their home in Amman, Jordan after the Nakba in Palestine and traveled the world together. They moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1987 to be closer to their children who had moved to the US.

Raoufeh enjoyed cooking, traditional Palestinian cross-stitching, and spoiling her grandchildren. She was best known for cooking Palestinian dishes and her grandchildren always loved when she made stuffed grape leaves, kubeh, mahshi, and sfeiha. Every Easter she would gather the family to make the traditional Easter pastry, kaak mahmool, and sit on the floor while making and decorating hundreds of cookies. Her home was the gathering place during every holiday, and she loved hosting events and get-togethers. Her home is a living work of art showcasing many Palestinian cross-stitched pillows, tablecloths, and runners, completed by her and her daughter, May. Raoufeh was a woman of faith and prayed daily and attended church as often as possible. She was known for saying "May God bless you and save you," in Arabic to everyone who came to visit her at home. In her old age, she still recalled many stories from her childhood and younger days, and often recounted stories about life in Palestine and Jordan to her children and grandchildren.

She had 5 siblings and her memory will live on in her children, Samir, and May Kassicieh, and her grandchildren, Charles, Christina, Lena, Katina, Christian, and Alexander Kassicieh, and her siblings Naim Kassicieh and Munira Garcia. She will be greatly missed by her family and extended family, and they feel blessed that she lived until the advanced age of 95.

The family are grateful to Night N Gail assisted living caregivers for all their support, care, and kindness. They took such great care of Tata in her final years, and for that we are very appreciative.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Raoufeh's name can be made to:

St George Greek Orthodox Church: Saint George Greek Orthodox Church | Albuquerque – Greek Orthodox Church Albuquerque NM or St. Elias the Prophet Greek Orthodox Church: Saint Elias - Greek Orthodox Church

or these Palestinian organizations: United Palestinian Appeal or Middle East Children's Alliance – Meca for Peace