Rimah Karam Melhem

Rimah Karam Melhem, 92, commended her soul to the Lord surrounded by family on Friday, June 23, 2023, at St. Luke’s Hospital, Anderson Campus. She was born on June 5, 1931, in Kfarsghab, Lebanon, the eldest daughter of Michael and Zakiya Nehme Karam. She was the wife of Kamel Melhem, who preceded her in death in 1974. Together they brought eight children into this world: Asmahan Elias (Poussain), Berlin Bahri (Chalita), Raymond Melhem, Desire Melhem, Ghannajah Vaccaro, DeGaulle Melhem (Francesca), the late Outill Melhem, who passed away in 2021, and Hulwe Moussa (Joseph). Shortly after emigrating to the United States and settling in Easton, Kamel tragically passed away, leaving Rimah, a young widow, to raise their children and grandchildren. She loved being in her kitchen where her passion was baking bread for her family. She was the matriarch of her large family in the truest sense of the word. Her home was a welcome gathering place for her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and friends and she will be sadly missed by them all. She will be remembered for her wit, wisdom, and faith. She is also survived by her brothers Joseph Karam of Nazareth; Karam Karam of Sydney, Australia; Emile and Nasr Karam of Easton; and her sister, Karima Canaan of Sydney, Australia; and many more family members. In addition to her parents, husband, and son, she was predeceased by her son in-law, Anthony Vaccaro; her daughters in-law, Robin Melhem and Tracy Melhem; her brothers, Victor, Peter, and Tony Karam; and her sisters, Terese Nehme and Amira Moussa. Rimah was a devout member of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church where she volunteered for many years in the kitchen at the Lebanese Heritage Days festival and the church’s bingo. She will be remembered at a Mass of Christian burial at the Church: 55 S. 4th St., Easton, on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at 11:00am. Calling hours will be 9:00am until 11:00am at the Church. Interment will follow at Gethsemane Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Our Lady of Lebanon Church in Rimah’s name.