Neife Shams

Widow of the late Brigadier General Jamil El-Eid

Born in Hasbaya in 1922, Neife was raised by her mother Amalei Jounblatt who spent 40 years of her life fasting and surviving on dry bread and milk. In 1949, Neife married Jamil El-Eid and shared his efforts to strengthen the Lebanese army and Lebanon’s independence . In 1962 and in 1970, she traveled with him to the US and to Egypt where she had the opportunity to represent and to defend the Lebanese identity and culture.

The civil war took a toll on her health. The assassinations of several of her family members and the natural death of her loved ones took away her love of life and her incentive to carry on. She gradually surrendered and passed away on June 30 th, at the age of 85.

Like her ancestor Sit Im Ally Neife, Neife Shams El-Eid was known for her wisdom and her love for the community and the world. H er home, on the beautiful hills of Baakline, was open to all those who needed help. She brought people together, gave to others sometimes at the detriment of herself, and demonstrated gentleness even when hurt. The last years of her life were dedicated to piety and to her love of God.

Neife is survived by her daughters, May Samir El-Kadi, Linda Rachid Mezher, Nouhad Nizar Hammad, Wadad Anwar El-Fatayri, her grand-children Dania, Nibal and Salim, Kamel and Bahige, Lama and Maysa, Sabia and Gilane, and her great grand-son Sami Camille Khodr.

A great woman like many others, she will be deeply missed.

When you died, the whole house shivered
From wall to wall, my mother’s cries echoed
Your prophecy after so many years happened
Your daughter was far when your body surrendered

My mother, since then, was not the same
Crying in the dark for her soul mate
Wondering the world for what was missing
The big void rampant and gripping  

You were a light for the family, shining
A candle in the sunshine burning
A life in prayers you spent,
Fasting for years, giving  

Ending her life now with no glory
Counting the hours for the time remaining
When she will join the dear ones in heaven,
Listening to the words of God humming  

The prophecy is about to repeat
Daughters are not to be.
At the mother’s bed will be missing
The daughter who was the most loving  

Nouhad El-Eid Hammad
15/4/2004