August 3 2011: SOMA, Anne Joseph

ANNE JOSEPH SOMA

Died peacefully at her home on Monday, August 1, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her. She fought a long battle with cancer, using her time to strengthen her ties to her family, to her friends, and to her God. She was born May 28, 1931, in Kingston, PA, the daughter of Bea and Sam Joseph.

Anne was married for 55 years to Edward Soma, MD, who survives her. Mother of Theresa Soma, Edward Soma, Jr., Nancy Polansky, Diane Dowling and John Soma. She is also survived by her twelve grandchildren. A devout and active member of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, Anne was one of the founding members of the Church, and served for 25 years as treasurer, and as a member of the Parish council. In recognition of her service to the Faith, Anne was invested in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem in 2000, and was promoted to the rank of Lady Commander in 2005. In 2009, she was made a Dame of the Pontifical Order of St. Gregory the Great, one of the highest honors available to laymen in the Catholic Church.

A public visitation will be held on Thursday, August 4, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, 7142 Alaska Ave. NW, Washington, DC. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 5, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Lebanon. Interment will be a private ceremony at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Anne’s memory to either the building fund of Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Church, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital , P.O. Box 1000, Memphis, TN 38148.

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