ATHENS, Ohio –– Sammy Huwe, aged 89, passed away on October 15, 2025, at O’Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio after a short illness.
Born Semiramis William Shabbas in Baghdad, Iraq, on October 27, 1935, she was the oldest daughter of William and Olga Shabbas. A member of the Assyrian community, Sammy graduated from the Presbyterian School for Girls and then decided to attend college in the United States.
After crossing the Atlantic on the Queen Elizabeth II, she lived with her cousin Julius Shabbas and his wife Violet in Berkeley, California, and graduated from San Francisco State University. Violet sent Sammy to a Lutheran adult singles group where she met her future husband Darrell Otto Huwe, who was getting his PhD in Physics at University of California, Berkeley.
After living in Boulder, Colorado for a short time, Sammy and Darrell settled in Athens, Ohio, where Darrell taught Physics at Ohio University and they raised three children. Darrell and Sammy were members of Christ Lutheran Church and very active in the community. Sammy worked as a real estate agent for many years. She loved people, and had a passion for tennis, bridge, baking, and hosting large dinner parties. She avidly followed many sports, including daughter Janice’s basketball fame in high school and college.
During the second Gulf War, Sammy decided to join the Department of Defense as an Arabic translator at the age of 68. It was important to Sammy to help the people of Iraq, and she felt it was her duty as a patriotic American. She had not been able to return to Iraq since immigrating to the United States in 1960, even when she and her family lived in Cairo, Egypt for two years (1975–77).
Sammy lived a full, vibrant life and was loved by many. She is survived by her brothers Daniel (Fatheala) and Sargon (Jermaine) Shabbas, her sister Mariana (Romeo) Samo, as well as her children Marie Huwe, Janice Huwe (Bob Holm), and David Huwe, and her grandchildren Daryl Holm and Allie (Mike) Manero.
Sammy was preceded in death by her husband Darrell, as well as three of her siblings: Ashur Shabbas, Shalim Shabbas Tatar, and Sanharib Shabbas.
After 29 years, Sammy is finally with her beloved Darrell again. She will be greatly missed.
A memorial for Sammy will be held Nov. 15, 2025, at Christ Lutheran Church (69 Mill St., Athens). Calling hours will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. and lunch at noon.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Assyrian Aid Society (350 Berkeley Park Blvd., Berkeley, CA 94707).
