Jennie (Jamilie) Tooma Melhem of Phillipsburg passed to her eternal reward in her home (which she lived in all of her life) on August 17, 2019, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 22, 1934 in Phillipsburg, New Jersey to the lady John and Margaret (Kayal) Tooma.

Jennie was a loving and devoted wife to the late Joseph Melhem Sr. who passed away on March 28, 1995. Jennie was also a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She was compassionate, kind, gentle and humble. She always saw the good in everyone and had an immediate love for everyone she would meet.

Jennie graduated from Phillipsburg High School in 1953 and attended Churchman's Business School. She worked at Orr's of Easton, Parastyle, Inc., and Easton Blouse. Jennie enjoyed taking family trips to Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn, NY to shop at the Arabic grocery stores, NYC and Spring Lake, New Jersey. She was a true Phillipsburg Stateliner fan and looked forward every year to the Thanksgiving Day game. She was an avid New York Yankees fan and even attended the winning World Series game in 2009. Jennie enjoyed baking, gardening and sending cards and letters to family and friends all across the country. She was proud of her Syrian heritage and enjoyed visiting her relatives all across the country.

She was a faithful member of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, in Easton. She was also a previous member of St. George Orthodox Church Allentown. She was a true matriarch of her family. Her greatest pride and joy was the love she had for her grandchildren. She had much wisdom to share with them and many family stories and traditions.

She'll be lovingly remembered by her children Nadima Sekela, Mary Mangino and her husband Michael, and a son  Edward Melhem. Also a devoted daughter-in-law Joumana Melhem. She is also survived by her beautiful grandchildren: Joseph III, Anthony, Jennie, Nadima, Lila, Sophia, Eddie, Hayek, Naim and Marianna. Jennie is also survived by sisters in-laws Josie Koury, Cheffie Koury (Deacon Anthony) and Sue Olson (John), many nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband Jennie was preceded in death by her beloved son Joseph Melhem Jr., a brother Edward Tooma, and a sister Adele Fortunato.

Calling hours will be held Wednesday from 6 PM to 8 PM in Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, located at Fourth and Ferry Street in Easton. The Prayer of the Incense at 7:45 PM in the Church. An additional calling hour will be held on Thursday from 8:15 AM until 9:15 AM in Morello Funeral Home Inc. 3720 Nicholas St., Easton (Palmer Twp.) PA 18045. A Divine Liturgy will be held on Thursday at 10 AM in our Lady of Lebanon Catholic Church, followed by interment Gethsemane Cemetery Palmer Twp.

Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com . Memorial donations may be made to Our Lady of Lebanon Church 55 South 4th St. Easton, PA 18042 or to St. George Orthodox Church 1011 Catasauqua Ave. Allentown, PA 18102.