Nashwa Raafat Sedhom Malek, born on December 1, 1946, in Asyut Egypt, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus Christ, on October 23, 2024 at the age of 77. Nashwa got married to the love of her life, Ralph, in Cairo, Egypt in 1971. She and Ralph immigrated to the United States and began their journey of building a life and legacy that will last for generations.
Nashwa and Ralph's journey began in Spring Valley, NY. They eventually purchased their first home in Highland Mills, NY in 1975. Ralph's job moved them to Brewster, NY in 1983, to Chapel Hill, NC in 1990, to Skillman, NJ in 1992, and finally to the Atlanta area in 1998. It was in Atlanta that Nashwa laid down her roots among the wonderful people of the Coptic community.
Above all else, Nashwa was a servant of God. Nashwa was a member of the congregation of St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church, which is where she formed lifetime connections and friendships with many people. Although she primarily attended St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church, she was involved with all of the churches in the Atlanta area and made it a point to support the good works of Christian charities both in the United States and Egypt. Nashwa had a passion for giving to others and ensuring that they felt the love and companionship of Jesus Christ. Nashwa was generous with her time, her love and her advice. We will always remember the amazing knitting talents of a woman that was blind most of her life. Nashwa was known to knit sweaters and hats for newborn babies and an entire generation of young people started their lives with this gift of love from Nashwa.
Nashwa was the Matriarch of the Malek family and raised her children to share her values. Over the years, Nashwa became a Matriarch to the Coptic Community as well. She will always be Momma to her sons, and Tita to her grandchildren, but to the Coptic Community, she is a sister to many, Momma Nashwa to some, and Tita Nashwa to an entire generation of young people that she encouraged and counseled.
Nashwa is predeceased by her loving husband of 53 years, Ralph, and her son, Andrew. She is survived by her son, Mark (Laura) Malek, her grandsons, Andrew and Jay, her brothers, Elhamy and Ramzy, her sisters-in-law, Sohir, Nadia and Irini, her many nieces and nephews, and an entire community that will feel the absence of her daily presence.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 1:00 PM at St. Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church in Roswell, GA, with burial immediately following at Green Lawn Cemetery in Roswell, GA. A reception to celebrate the life of Nashwa will follow at St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church in Suwanee, GA. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul Coptic Orthodox Church https://www.stpaulatlanta.org/ .