Alma Joseph Sargis, 88, of Chicago, passed away peacefully Tue Jan 24, 2017. She was born in Chicago Mar 10, 1928, to Jerry Warda Joseph, a high-end tailor in Lakeview, and Alma David Joseph, a seamstress, both Assyrian immigrants from the Lake Urmia region of Persia. As a child, Alma moved to Fennville, Mich., where her father began a fruit farm he named Tehran Farm in honor of his homeland. Alma finished eighth grade there in a one-room schoolhouse. As a teen, she returned to Chicago and graduated from Marshall High School. A talented singer and dancer – popular on roller skates – she met her future husband, Robert Jons Sargis, at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, following a concert of the Assyrian Women's Choral Society. The two were married on June 28, 1952. After raising two sons, she returned to college, earning her bachelor's degree in public administration from Roosevelt Univ in 1983.  She spent the majority of her career as an administrative professional in the City of Chicago Dept. of Revenue. Her primary devotions in later life included family, Bible study and meditative prayer, exercise and, as always, singing. She is mourned by her husband; two sons, Scott Sargis of Chicago and Mark (Elizabeth) Sargis of Wheaton; grandson Eli; and sister Helen London of Philadelphia. Private interment: Rosehill Cemetery. A public memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 4, at 11:00 a.m. with a time of visitation during the hour before beginning at 10:00 a.m. at Carter-Westminster Presbyterian Church , 4950 West Pratt, Skokie, Illinois 60077. Direct memorial gifts to Carter-Westminster Presbyterian Church .

A wonderful family created video tribute to Alma and Robert was made in recent years and can be seen by clicking here .

Click below to see a different video tribute to Alma.