Maha Assaf "May" Ashoo

Maha Assaf Ashoo, known lovingly as May, passed away peacefully at her home in Tallahassee, Florida, surrounded by family, on July 1, 2026. She was 84 years old. Maha was born on June 27, 1942, in Baghdad, Iraq, to Martha and Constantine Assaf, the second of their three children. She spent her early years moving between her family's homes in Iraq and Lebanon, an upbringing that gave her a broad and worldly perspective from the start. A gifted student, Maha went on to study physics in England, earning a master's degree from University College London. She began her career in Beirut, Lebanon, working as a medical dosimetrist at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. In 1971, she married Ghassan Ashoo, beginning a marriage that would span 55 years. The couple later moved to Kuwait, where Maha taught physics at the university level. Later in life, Maha and her family immigrated to the United States. Never one to stand still, she returned to school to learn computer programming and went on to build a career as an auditor with the State of Florida Auditor General's Office, from which she eventually retired. Maha was deeply devoted to her family. She took great joy in her children, Serene and Sarmed (Sam); her daughter-in-law, Jill; and her three grandchildren, Grace, Daniel, and Max Ashoo. She especially cherished time spent cooking and baking with her nieces, grandchildren, daughter, and daughter-in-law, passing down family recipes and creating memories in the kitchen. Outside of her family, she had a passion for photography, especially capturing birds and the natural world. She also shared her husband's love of music. Fifteen years before her death, Maha was diagnosed with multiple system atrophy, a disease she faced with courage and grace. During her illness, she was cared for exceptionally well by her daughter, Serene, whose devotion gave the family great comfort. Maha was a devoted Christian who knew her Savior, Jesus Christ. Though she was greatly limited by her illness in her final years, she is now free, restored and renewed, spending eternity in the glory of the Lord. Maha is survived by her husband, Ghassan Ashoo; her children, Serene Ashoo and Sarmed (Sam) Ashoo; her daughter-in-law, Jill Ashoo; her grandchildren, Grace, Daniel, and Max Ashoo; her siblings, Manal (Nola) Munasifi and Walid Assaf; her brother-in-law, Faisal Munasifi; her nieces, Dina, Nadia, and Sana; and her nephews and nieces through her brother Walid. A funeral service will be held on Monday, July 27, 2026, at 3:00 PM at Bevis Funeral Home in Tallahassee, FL. Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) is assisting the Ashoo family with their arrangements.

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Maha Assaf "May" Ashoo

June 27, 1942 - July 1, 2026