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Activist Suheila 'Sue' Ajluni Devoted Life to Philanthropy, Arab American Causes
Suheila “Sue” Ajluni dedicated her life to philanthropy, supporting charitable organizations and donating her time and energy to Arab American causes.
The Beverly Hills resident died Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at age 79.
Her activism covered a multitude of issues and people, said her husband, Karim Fred Ajluni.
Arab American causes were high on her list and led her to be one of the organizers of the first Arab World Festival in Hart Plaza. She actively fundraised for the Arab American National Museum, the American Federation of Ramallah, Palestine and the Ramallah Club of Metropolitan Detroit.
She was instrumental in building the Arabic Cultural Room at Wayne State University and was a member of the Anthony Wayne Society at the University.
“She was a very hard-working and straightforward woman,” he said. “Her feeling was always helping the needy and the deserving. I supported her for that. I told her do what you feel and I am behind you.”
Born May 20, 1934 in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Mrs. Ajluni emigrated to Detroit in 1957 after her marriage to Karim, a prominent local attorney and former Honorary Consul to Jordan from 1963 to 1989.
Her familly said she never lost her connection to her place of birth and founded the Friends of Birzeit University with her husband. The organization provided scholarships to needy Palestinian and U.S. students to attend the institution.
Mrs. Ajluni also spearheaded a fundraising campaign for the Friends Girls School, founded by the Quakers in Ramallah, Palestine, to mark the 100th anniversary of their founding.
She was a deacon at Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Ajluni is also survived by sons, Maher and Dr. Samir; three daughters, Giselle Hatch, Marianne Varley and Suzanne Gastineau; and 12 grandchildren.
Visitation will be at the A.J. Desmond & Sons funeral home, 32515 Woodward Ave. from 5-8 p.m. on Thursday and Friday with prayers at 7:30 p.m.
The funeral service is at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, 1340 W. Long Lake Rd., Bloomfield Hills.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Kirk in the Hills Presbyterian Church, The American Ramallah Federation Human Services Network (ARFHSN) or the Arab American National Museum in Dearborn.
Jennifer Chambers
The Detroit News