Chamse Marie Rouhana Rahi, 88, of Wheeling, WV, died Wednesday, November 30, 2022, at Wheeling Hospital.
Chamse was the daughter of the late Naheem and Marie G. (Romanous) Rouhana. She was born April 7, 1934 in Roumieh El Maten, Lebanon, she immigrated to this country in 1947 and became a US citizen in 1955. Chamse was a proud American citizen and she also held strong her Lebanese culture and traditions and passed them to her children and family. She was a devout and proud member of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church, a former member of the Women Society and the church council, where she served as secretary.
After graduation from the old Wheeling High School, class of 1954, Chamse attended The College of Commerce Business School. She was employed by the former Peoples Federal Savings and Loan and Wheeling Dollar Bank. After 28 years of service she retired from Wheeling Downs in 2006 as a Mutuel Teller. Chamse was the heart and soul of her family and they were her pride and joy. Her Lebanese cooking was loved by all who knew her and she was an excellent seamstress. She was an avid WVU fan.
In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her 3 sisters, Josephine, Atiff and Helen; two brothers, Rouhana and Mike and a daughter-in-law, Christina Rahi.
Chamse is survived by her husband, Assad Rahi; five children, Adele (Bill) Storm, Chuck Rahi, Alicia (Scott) Peklinsky and Ramsey Rahi all of Wheeling and Sonia (Dustin) Howarth of Bridgeville, PA; nine grandchildren, Ryan (Renee), Alan (Jennifer) and Eric (Colleen) Storm, Nicole and Connor (Mary Katheryn) Peklinsky, Kylie (Zach) and Kayla Rahi and Aiden and Tyler Howarth; two great-grandchildren, Frankie and Reign and one expected in June; one sister-in-law, Myrna Rouhana; several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Family and friends will be received Friday, December 2, 2022 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at Altmeyer Funeral Homes, 1400 Eoff St., Wheeling. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at Our Lady of Lebanon Church Saturday, December 3, at 10 am. Entombment will take place at Mt. Calvary Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Wheeling Hospital Continuous Care for all of their wonderful care and support over the years.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wheeling Easter Seals by clicking here or 1305 National Rd. Wheeling, WV 26003.
Condolences may be offered to the family at www.altmeyerfuneralhomes.com
Our deepest sympathy to the entire Rahi family. Chamse was one of the first persons I met when we moved to Wheeling in 1975. She was the best neighbor anyone could have. She so kindly showed me where to shop and so many things about Wheeling that made our transition so much easier. She was such a beautiful and kind person. I will always love her and remember her. Every time I eat hummus or eat baklava… I think of her in gratitude! I am just so glad and grateful to have known her. Her passing is an immense loss.
With Love and Prayers,
Marian and Rich Mullin
I apologize for missing the viewing of your sweet mother. I have not read the obituaries the past few days. Please forgive me.
Your mom is part of my early childhood memories. She was always so kind to my sister and me. I have memories of playing with you, Adele and Chuck, in that cement “yard” between my grandmother’s house and yours. The amazing smell of her homemade pita bread would waft through the windows, and she would always share some with us.
As an adult, I would often see her in Kroger, and she was still the warm, loving Chamse I remembered from my childhood. She would always ask, “How’s your mom?” I know my mom, who is now 98, will be as sad as I am to hear of her death.
The world has lost a bright beacon of God’s love.
Sending love to you all,
Gail Adams
My sincere condolences to the Rahi family she will be deeply missed. May she RIP
We are so sorry for your loss. Our deepest condolences. You are all in our thoughts and prayers ❤️
Krista & Shawn Lorenzo
My sincere condolences to the entire Rahi family. May all of your happy memories of Chamse help ease your pain at this sad and difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Karen Shipley
Our deepest sympathy and wishes for eternal rest and peace.
Our sympathy and condolences to the entire family
David & Lisa Palotay
My sincerest Condolences for you all for your the loss of your mother!! I worked with Chamsi for many years at Wheeling Downs Racetrack. She made the best meat pies.. she will be missed by so many!! May she rest in eternal peace.
Chuck. I am so sorry to read that your mother is no longer here with us but is with our Lord. We live all our lives in the hope of being with out Lord for all eternity. I am sure she is . My sympathies to you. Jackie
My sincere and humble condolences to the family and friends of Mrs. Rahi. Denny Albaugh