Helene Sawaya

Sawaya, Helene A., died June 7, 2017. She was born in Beirut, Lebanon and after completing a year of college, she married George S. Sawaya of Dayton, and came to the United States. She graduated with a degree in accounting from the University of Dayton. Ellen, as she was commonly called, worked at the Catholic Youth Organization under Rev. Carl Will, and served as a bookkeeper for the family’s business enterprises. Ellen occasionally tutored students in math and accounting. Preceding her in death are her parents, Elias and Marie Abs, of Beirut, her husband, George, of Dayton, her brothers, Faris of Beirut, George of Cincinnati, and her sister, Lily Abs of Dayton. Ellen is survived by her son, Samuel, with whom she lived; nephews, Joseph Abs of Colleyville, TX., David Abs of Cincinnati, nieces, Floreida Abs and Janette Abs of Cincinnati, and her Godchildren, Frances Reynolds, Tony Anticoli, Pamela Hamblin, and Jenna Abu Rizk Werner, numerous nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, and cousins. There will be a Funeral Service Monday at 10:30am at The Westbrock Funeral Home, 5980 Bigger Road, with the Rt. Rev. Archimandrite Joseph Francavilla officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 9:30am-10:30am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the University of Dayton School of Business, Hospice of Dayton, or to a charity of your choice in Ellen’s memory. Many thanks to the nurses at KMH MS-ICU and the staff of Hospice of Ohio for their kindness and compassion