Marcelle Habra

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Marcelle Antoine Habra of Tucson, Arizona. She died peacefully on Friday, June 13, 2025, after an illness. She was a devout Catholic from the St. Frances de Sales parish. Of Lebanese and Syrian heritage, Habra was the first daughter of Antoine Habra and Paule Barakat. She studied at Le "Pensionnat du Sacré-Cœur in Egypt. She emigrated to Tucson, Arizona in 1981 and in her working years, held a Management position at Lillie Rubin in Park Mall. There, she was the nucleus of warmth and joy and people came from far and wide for her fashion guidance. As her niece Lily Fizzy once said, “She could make any woman feel beautiful... as long as they let Marcelle dress them.”

She was a storyteller, a memory-keeper, and a truth-teller, all wrapped in one. She was also deeply devoted to her friendships. Marcelle kept in close contact with friends all around the world, holding tight to bonds formed in childhood, even across decades and oceans. At family gatherings, Tante Marcelle was always at the heart of every conversation. She had this uncanny ability to make you feel like the most important person in the room. Her dry wit, quick commentary, and spontaneous laughter set the tone for every gathering.

She is survived by her elder brothers, John Antoine Habra and Nabil Antoine Habra, as well as her dear sister Corinne Habra Gholam. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Farouk Antoine Habra. Marcelle was beloved and claimed by many, family and friends alike. Though she never had children of her own, she was a second mother to many—especially to the Gholam family: Tania Gholam Eckweiler, Bechara Gholam, Shirine Gholam, Rabih Gholam and Lily Gholam Fizzy.

She was a special Aunt to Anthony Habra, Pauline Habra Zaro, Leila Habra Miller, Teresa Habra Kennedy, Michelle Habra, Nicole Habra Dawson, Karen Habra Smyth, Mark Habra, and Jacques Habra.

The funeral service was held on Monday, June 23 at St. Frances Church with the internment following at Our Lady of the Desert Cemetery.

She will be missed deeply by all those who knew her, we remember her wit, her laughter, her sense of style, her warmth, and the way she made everyone feel seen and special.