I ask Aunt Lois to share her memories of the Syrian side of my family so I could share it with my kids and grand kids.

Hi Honey,

Our vacation spots were Geneva-on-the-lake in Ohio, when we were kids. Grand pap had a niece, his sister's daughter Sadie, that lived in Geneva, NY so we use to visit her after our vacation. She had asthma pretty bad and moved to Phoenix, AZ. When U Bill was stationed in AZ, we were in contact with her again. We use to as a family go to Isaly's for lunch...Grandma would never order anything, but would take food off our plates!!!! Then of course, those dreaded family drives on a Sunday, that we were forced to go. Three of us girls in the back seat would end of fighting after being confined for so long, well technically, just your Mom and I would fight, Aunt Bev was the peacemaker. But, we did enjoy getting ice cream at the end of the drive in Wolfdale. We had many trips to New Kensington to see our Sitto, Giddo, and Aunt Jay. We use to enjoy visiting with all our cousins, those were fun times.

We all looked forward to Grandma's baking bread day, I can still smell that wonderful smell coming from the kitchen. We especially enjoyed her meat pies, which were our favorites. At that time growing up, we girls weren't thrilled with Arabic cooking, we all liked pizza, but of course that changed as we grew older,and WISER!!!

Grandma's Family:
Parents: Mose and Mary
Louie (Millie), Mose (Julie), Ann (Laeso), Sam (Jenny), Mike (Josephine), Jessie (her real name is Katherine), George (Esther)

Grandpaps Family:
Parents: Yousef and Tamara Hanna (Billius was her maiden name)
Mileh, Elias (grandpap) Saleb, Hanna, Mikel, Enis and sisters Afifi and Nezha

Two of Grandpap brothers went to South America, and Grandpap to USA. His two brothers eventually went back to Syria.

Grandpap's name-Elias Yousef Hanna (Louis Joseph John.) According to Nofal, Grandpap changed his last name while he was in this country so it would sound more American.

Grandpap worked at Weirton Steel Mill,Weirton, WVA for 26 years, then Jessop for 25 years. He retired at the age of 67.
Grandpap's family info I got from Nofal when we visited him in Pittsburgh in 2000, before he moved back to Syria. Nofal has 2 sons with his second wife.

Also according to U George, Grandpap's nickname was "Tiger", in his card playing days. He was a very serious, and excellent poker player.

I sure wish I knew more, but as kids you never think of asking the important questions.

Love you,
Aunt Lois