Noel "Terese" Nejaime

We mourn the loss of Noel "Terese" Nejaime, 87, of Lenox, who passed away peacefully at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. Noel was born on April 27, 1937, in Maaser El Chouf, Lebanon, to Najeb and Adele Nejaime. She married her devoted husband, George R. Nejaime, on May 4,1957 in Lebanon, where they raised five cherished daughters: Feriale, Amale, Marie, Rima, and Nadia. The family emigrated to the United States in 1969, where Noel and George welcomed a sixth child, their beloved son Louis, and became proud naturalized U.S. citizens. Noel was renowned for her extraordinary hospitality. Every day, she cooked far more than needed, anticipating the unexpected guests who so often came by. Visitors knew they would be welcomed with an impeccable meal around her large table, and they'd always leave with food to spare. Feeding others was Noel's greatest joy, and she and George brought that same spirit into their businesses, Thomas's Market in Pittsfield and G. Nejaime's Cheshire Center, where her remarkable cuisine became a community staple. While her family was her world, Noel's definition of family extended far beyond blood relations. Countless friends, neighbors, and customers affectionately called her 'mom.' In her final years at Kimball Farms, her exceptional caregivers—a special second family —did so as well. A loving and generous mother and grandmother, Noel is survived by her five daughters: Feriale (Louis) Yan of Waterbury, CT, Amale (Christopher) Neary of Westfield, MA, Marie (Michael) McCarron of North Adams, MA, Rima (Lloyd) Georgeson of West Rupert, VT, and Nadia Nejaime of Washington, DC; and her ten grandchildren: Alexander Yan, Emily Yan, Tara (Andrew Malloy) Neary, Zachary (Alice, fiancée) Neary, Andrew (Chelsea) Carrigan-Crowe, David (Jenna) Carrigan, Kaitlyn (Antony) Carrigan-Bogodist, Christopher McCarron, Blake Georgeson, and Tessa Georgeson. Noel is also survived by her sister-in-law Marilyn Nejaime and many nieces, nephews, god-children and cousins, both near and far. Before her passing, Noel had the joy of meeting her first great-granddaughter, Charlotte Noel Neary Malloy, born in 2024. Noel was preceded in death by her husband George, son Louis, brother George (the late Najet) Nejaime, her sister Nadia (the late George) Matney, and her brother Nabih Nejaime. Funeral Notice: A Liturgy of Christian Burial for Noel will be celebrated on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mark Church in Pittsfield, with Rev. John Salatino officiating. Visitation will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Noel’s memory to the Center for Human Development’s Not Bread Alone community meal program, a cause close to her heart. Contributions can be made online at CHD.org or in care of the Dwyer Funeral Home.

Noel "Terese" Nejaime

April 27, 1937 - November 13, 2024