Latify Shibley

LATIFY SHIBLEY (nee Abounader) age 97, passed away November 6, 2020.

Latify was born into a farming family in Aitaneet, Lebanon, a small village of predominantly Maronite Christians.  The family grew lentils, olives, figs and wheat, and Latify and her siblings all pitched in.  When Latify was 14, her parents arranged her marriage to Raymond Shibley, a Lebanese American from Cleveland.  She married Raymond in a weeklong ceremony only six days after meeting him.

After a short stint in Paris, Raymond and Latify came to Cleveland, and had a son, Myron.  Latify worked in the family grocery store and learned English.  A few years after they were married, Raymond began to lose his eyesight, and Latify became more involved in the business.

Over the course of 23 years, she and Raymond owned and managed a series of bars and restaurants, including Town Talk, Knotty Pine Tavern, Sahara Shibley’s Grille, Genesis Restaurant, and Ray’s Deli. Latify was a no-nonsense businesswoman, but she had a huge heart and loved her customers as much as they loved her.   She was also very active in St. Maron’s Church of Cleveland, where she served with the Immaculate Conception Guild, and the 50+ Club.

Latify’s greatest love was reserved for her large, beloved family.   She sponsored a number of her Lebanese relatives, helping them to immigrate to Cleveland.  Her adoring grandchildren often begged her to tell them stories about her childhood in Lebanon, and she would keep them rapt for hours with story after story.

Latify is survived by her son Myron Shibley, grandchildren Gloria Shibley, Laura Daberko (Jeff), Veronica Shibley, Anne Matteo (Steve), and Raymond Shibley (Abby), Daughter-in-Law, Siham Shibley, great-grandchildren Luke, Peter, Francis, Stephanie, Maximus and Isabella, siblings Evelyn Mansour (Najeeb, deceased), Selvi Karam (Nasir), Jennette Ayna (Nabih), Sammy Abounader (Samira, deceased), Jaqueline Hanna (Autif), and many nieces and nephews.  She was pre-deceased by her husband Raymond, brothers Milhelm Abounader (Mary), Loutfy Abounader (Rene, deceased), Joseph Abounader (Marie, deceased), and sister Marie Hasrie.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Latify to the Aitaneet Foundation, P.O. Box93234, Cleveland, OH  44101.

Mass of Christian Burial Monday, November 9, 2020 at St. Maron Church 1245 Carnegie Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115 at 11 AM. Burial following at Calvary Cemetery. Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Latify at THE CHURCH MONDAY MORNING 10-11 AM. Arrangements by THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF SOUTH EUCLID.

The Immigrant Experience Project: Latify Shibley Memoir