JESSIE Our sweet mother, sister, aunt, grandma and nana went to be with the Lord on August 17, 20ll. She was 92 years old. Mother lived with her daughter and son-in-law in Lenexa, KS. She will be buried in Santa Fe, New Mexico next to husband Philip Fidel. Jessie was born 08-19-1918 to F. J. Merhege and Latife Owen in Roumieh, Lebanon. Upon entering the United States, they settled in the state of New Mexico. Jessie was the oldest of eleven children in this country. She met the love of her life, Philip Fidel and married in the St. Francis Basilica. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, great uncle Mike, sisters Jenny Michael, Afifie Zaunon (Lebanon), Orelia Jabbour(Lebanon); brothers John, James, Junior and Michael; daughter in-law Joan Fidel; sisters-in-law Barbara Merhege, Mrs. Rose Fidel. Nabeha Koury; brothers-in-law Gene Finch, Arthur Michael Sr., Fidel; brothers Joe, John, Toufik, Nabeeh. She is survived by her son Philip (Fran) Fidel of Utah/Arizona; daughter Shirley (Ted) Kotch of Lenexa Ks.; sisters Mary (Jim) Million, Espanola, Helen Finch Espanola; brother Joseph Merhege of Espanola; granddaughters Erika (Jason) Newell, Ks. Susan McDaniels, WA. Nancy McDaniels, UT. Sally (Allan) Thompson, UT, Janna(Steve) Hoiberg, CO; grandson Steve McDaniels of WA; great-grandchildren Justin (Robyn)Nelson, UT, Britney(Paul) Wilkinson, UT., Landon (Paige) Nelson, NV, Drew Hoiberg, CO; great-granddaughters Payton Newell, and Olivia Newell; great-grandson, Chase Newell; great-great-granddaughters Kennadie Joan Wilkinson, Quinn Nelson, Tessa Mae Nelson; great-great-grandsons Isaac Nelson, Sawyer Taft Wilkinson, Noah Andrew Wilkinson; nieces of Santa Fe, Margaret Abouslamen, Rose Fidel, Mae Najjar and Barbara Michael. Nephew, Arthur Michael Jr., of Santa Fe and many more nephews and nieces. Mom worked for the New Mexico State Treasurers Dept. for 25 years. She was very active in supporting Loretto High School and Saint Michael's High School where her children attended. She was a member of St. Francis Basilica. She was noted for her great cooking of Lebanese and New Mexican foods and took pleasure in preparing meals for her family and friends. Mom lived in her home on Gildersleeve St. from 1941-2005. The flower garden in her yard was one of pride and joy. All who passed by commented on how nice she maintained the yard. Our heart felt thanks to: Rhonda Meeker, her physical trainer, who exercised with mother three times a week. She helped mother maintain her body strength. She loved mother very much and was a great friend as well. To our dear friends, Marcia and Alan Kostus, Carolyn and Bob Walla and Diane and Bill Hoeschele who visited her to cheer her up.The most important of all were the unceasing prayers that were offered up for her and our family we thank all of you for your compassion, mercy, grace and friendship. We will always be grateful for the caregivers that were provided by Elder Care. Julie Azinger , Esther Brown, Joanne Thomas and Fassika Tadegegn , Rustee Thomas and Rose Villanueva. They cared for our dear mother with such compassion, patience and kindness. We became close friends and we will miss seeing them daily. Our grateful thanks to Eileen Parks and Tom Brislin, and Bobbie Lyanslpn, mother's Hospice nurses who loved mom and took care of her with such love and compassion. A grateful thanks to Brother Daryl who came and visited with mother, sang with her and talked with her about her home in Santa Fe. Thanks to Shirley Koeneke Social Worker who would also come and visit with our family and to Sandy Hicks who came and bathed mother. The people at Catholic Charities Hospice were wonderful to our family. God Bless all of you.
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