Suad Zia Dawod

Suad Zia Dawod

Nov 18, 1948 – July 19, 2022

Suad Zia Dawod was born on Thursday, November 18, 1948, and passed away on Tuesday, July 19, 2022.

Bebe’s life in five simple words: Love. Faith. Education. Family. Sacrifice. In the beginning, Bebe was love. What a funny word, love. What does it mean? There are so many ways to describe it, so many ways to express it. But everyone knows love when they feel it. And when people were with Bebe, they felt love.

From the time she could remember, Bebe’s guiding light was faith. Her faith in people. Her faith in justice. Her faith in learning. And, of course, her faith in God. Bebe’s faith was singular and complete. Unwavering and direct. This could be no other way because Bebe’s faith was built on love.

Growing up in Baghdad, the youngest of nine children, Bebe found her calling in education. First she educated herself. Later, as a primary school teacher, she educated others. Bebe listened, Bebe mentored. She thought broadly and she thought deeply. Bebe never tired of teaching and she never tired of learning. Bebe’s mind was always open. She embraced her world completely and accepted it with love.

And Bebe gave all of her love, all of her faith and all of her knowledge back to her family. Bebe’s days began and ended with the dreams, aspirations and care for her loved ones — especially for her children and her grandchildren. For her family, Bebe cooked. For her family, Bebe baked. For her family Bebe smiled. And for her family, Bebe sacrificed.

In her final years, Bebe sacrificed her comfort, hosting frequent sleepovers for her many grandkids — staying up as late as they did — though, at times, she could barely stand. In her final months, following a series of debilitating strokes, Bebe sacrificed her peace, undergoing painful physical therapy, all to grant her family the gift of hope.

After many years of illness, Bebe’s body had grown tired but her spirit never wavered. All through her life, Bebe gave love. Bebe was love. Bebe is love. And, in the end, only love endures.