Fadwa El T Ward

Fadwa El T Ward May 5, 1925 - December 2, 2009 Fadwa Ward, previously of Waco, passed away at her daughter's home Wednesday, December 2, 2009. Graveside services will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday December 5, at Oakwood Cemetery in Waco. A reception will follow at the home of Maher Tamimi, 4600 Pine Ave, Waco TX 76710. Fadwa Mohammed El Tamimi was born in Jerusalem May 5, 1925, the daughter of Mohammed Tamimi and Houryeh Abu Ghazaleh. She was educated at the Jerusalem Women's Training College. She then taught Arabic Language in Almamounyeh Secondary high school, and she moved abroad to continue her studies at Cairo University, where she graduated and then joined UNESCO Center for community development studies. At the Center she specialized in literacy work. In 1956 she was appointed as a literacy expert and assistant textbook writer for UNESCO. She also taught English as a second language. Fadwa then moved to the United States to attend Baylor University in 1960 on a Fulbright Scholarship. The Fulbright Program's participants are chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential-with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns. She gained her Masters degree in Literature and English. She wrote her thesis on Mark Twain and graduated in August, 1962. She met and fell in love with Sam Webb Ward Sr. They were married at the home of his parents on June 9, 1962. They had two children, Sam and Carmen. Fadwa stayed at home to raise her two children. In her spare time she volunteered at the Waco library. Being a librarian was a job she would have liked to have if she had not been a housewife. She also devoted much of her time to making other international Baylor students feel welcome in Waco. She opened her home on many occasions, hosting welcoming-get together parties for students just like she had been welcomed years before. Her charities covered personal care for foreigner students. She was very welcome when she came over to the States and wanted all international students to feel the same as she did. She also enjoyed being part of different social outlets such as AAUW - American Association of University Women. Fadwa's other joys were cooking and traveling. Her family and friends always commented on her amazing foods. Most loved was her home baked Arabic bread, which could be found covering the entire kitchen on bake days, hummus and baklawa. Many times she was asked to teach her tricks to such wonderful Middle Eastern cooking. She focused on family and welcomed many nephews, nieces and cousins when moving to or visiting the states. She opened her home and heart to help family feel at home and did everything she could to offer help on different levels. She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Sam Webb Ward; her late brother, Atta; and sisters, Wedad and Dawlat. Fadwa is survived by her son, Sam Webb Ward Jr. and wife, Desiree, of Arlington; and daughter, Lena Carmen Jeter and husband, Joseph, of Parker; grandchildren, Brennan, Rhiannon, Sabastian, Claire and Joseph Jr.; her sister, Fatima, who lives in Jerusalem; nephews, Maher Tamimi and Mahdi Tamimi, and Harrison Ward and wife, Paula, Jeff Ward, and Rayner and wife, Holly; nieces, Maha Dajani, Mai Tamimi and Oraib Warry; and many great nieces, nephews and cousins. Fadwa was much loved in life and will be forever loved after her passing. In lieu of flowers please donate to Fadwa's tribute at the Alzheimer's Organization. http://act.alz.org/goto/fadwaward. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.