Rev. Dr. Nadim Elias SAIKALY

SAIKALY, CONSTANTINE-SAIKALY, RAHAL, JONES, DRIESEN, TRCKA, TRCKA-SAIKALY

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

August 3, 1924 ---– January 11, 2013

REV. DR. NADIM ELIAS SAIKALY

Nadim Saikaly, 88, died on January 11, 2013 in Everett, Washington. As you read this sketch of his life, you may hear his voice filled with wonder and gratitude, gently interrupting with stories of God's care and guidance. Nadim was born on August 3, 1924 in Mieh-Mieh, Lebanon to Elias Azar and Adal Constantine-Saikaly. His mother died in childbirth with her eighth child when Nadim was four years old. His father remarried five years later to Katrina Rahal, and three more children were added to the family. The eleven children included six boys, five girls, and two sets of twins, in order of birth: Sami, Azar, Souad, Nabih, Nadim, Wadih, Wadiaa, Adeeb, Samia, Souhaila, and Clothilde. Nadim was sent to study at Schneller Schule (school) in Jerusalem for seven years, where he spoke German, English, Arabic, Hebrew, Armenian, Greek, and French. Events of WWII postponed his educational plans with Nadim returning to Lebanon at the age of 14, where he was hired by the British forces to clean the kitchen, serve as a timekeeper for workers at construction projects, and later as a construction foreman for the building of convalescent hospitals for wounded soldiers. He completed his high school education at the Gerard Institute, a Presbyterian school in Sidon, and continued studies at Aleppo College in Syria, and the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, where he earned an International Diploma in 1950.

In 1951, he immigrated to Quebec, Canada where he met and married Diana Rahal. They ran their clothing store Chez Madeleine and their first son Elie was born in 1953. The family relocated to Dubuque, IA where John and Eddie were born and Nadim completed his B.A. at the University of Dubuque, Iowa. He received his M.Div. from University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS) in 1960 and became an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church. He served Iowa churches in Hartford, Villisca, and Cedar Rapids from 1960-1990. While serving Olivet Presbyterian Church in C.R., he was beloved as a good pastor, counselor, and teacher. He established a mission center to provide clothing, household goods, and services to those in need. He worked to bring the Protestant "Walk to Emmaus" movement to East Iowa. Nadim was also deeply involved in Israel/Palestine Peacemaking efforts, and fostered development of an interfaith fellowship program for Jewish, Muslim, and Christian individuals. He completed his formal education in 1978 with a D.Min. with a focus on Pastoral Ministry and Counseling from UDTS. Following retirement in 1990, he and wife Diana moved first to Madisonville, Kentucky, and from there to Ames, IA to follow their son Elie and his family, as they moved to new jobs. Nadim served six Iowa parishes as an Interim Pastor. The three generations, then packed up and migrated to Everettt, WA in 2002.

Through the years, Nadim was a skilled woodworker, tennis player, artist, tailor, cook, and gardener. He and Diane opened their home to young family members who immigrated to the US from Lebanon as college students. Nadim also took special joy in family reunions held every few years since 1997--the decibel level would soar in several languages as stories were told and relationships were strengthened. Go forth and multiply, they did! Nadim was preceded in death in 2003 by his dear wife of 52 years Diane. He is survived by two brothers, four sisters, three sons: Elie (Heidi), John (Lorie), and Eddie; daughter Mary (John) Jones; and grandchildren: Jessica (Tony) Driesen, Rachel and Phillip Saikaly, and Jordan (Brandy) Trcka-Saikaly.

The family would like to express gratitude to his many dear friends, Pastors Mark Smith and Tom Salmon for surrounding Nadim with their joyful fellowship. We especially wish to thank his angel Lovell Bouck for providing Nadim with excellent company and attentive care, in his last years.

Nadim Saikaly was a great soul. His life and his work were about the grace of God and the love of God. He lived this and indeed radiated it to so many people he encountered over the course of his life. By simply saying your name, he could make you feel welcomed and loved. If he saw you coming or recognized you on the phone, his countenance would register delight and he would exclaim “Oh…” followed by your name in a voice filled with warmth and joy. He was loved by many and will be missed by many who will cherish his memory and thank God that he was part of their life.

A celebration service of Nadim’s life will take place on February 23rd, 2013 at 2pm at Mukilteo Presbyterian Church in Mukilteo, Washington.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/everett-wa/rev-dr-nadim-saikaly-5380421

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[Dr. Nadim Saikaly was an interim minister at the United Presbyterian Church in Goldfield, Wright County, Iowa from January 9 - November 30, 1994]