Amelia M. Yazbek 1948-2025

She was born Oct. 18, 1948, in Youngstown, the daughter of Rizzie D. and Genevieve M. Yazbek, and was a lifelong area resident.

Amelia attended Cardinal Mooney High School and graduated in 1966. After graduation, she attended and graduated from St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey. She was proud of her Jesuit education, being in the first class of women being accepted into the university. She also worked at the Hudson County Police Department during her schooling. This was a formative time in her life, as she grew closer to her maternal grandmother, Mamie Daboul, with whom she resided in Jersey City.

Upon completion of college, she worked at the Stevens Institute of Technology. In the early 1970s, Amelia returned to Youngtown and began working for the Ohio Adult Parole Authority as a parole officer and later as a supervisor. Amelia was named Businesswoman of the Year in 1984 by the Youngstown Chapter of the American Business Association. She established a 31-year career there and earned the respect of many colleagues in the legal community.

She leaves her family, Marian, with whom she made her home, Joey (Ginny), David (Toni), Sarah (Joe Marsco), and sister-in-law, Linda B. Yazbek. Additionally, numerous nieces and nephews, who have relied on Amelia’s worldly wisdom and professional knowledge. She also leaves many great-nieces and great-nephews whom she lovingly rocked to sleep while babysitting. She also leaves a dear circle of friends whom she has spent most of her years with, especially cousin, Rosebud Sahyoun, and best friends, Diane and Larry Berringer, and Carol Essad.

Amelia was dedicated and devoted to her Lebanese heritage and Maronite roots. She lovingly invested her time to St. Maron’s Parish, being on several committees. Among them were the weekly church bingos, St. Maron Education Foundation, summer festivals, the St. Tobias Society and the very well-known St. Maron’s Lenten fish fry. She also worked tirelessly for Our Lady of Lebanon Shrine as chair of the 25 Club.

In her younger years, she traveled to many countries, including Lebanon, home of her ancestors. During her retirement years, she capitalized on going to the national Lebanese conventions with her sister and cousins every summer. Her signature was wearing a beautiful brooch on her blouse, and she always dressed for the occasion, whether it was casual or formal. She proudly pursued the traditions of her family recipes by baking Lebanese date cookies and maa’moul for countless weddings. Family holiday gatherings were made complete by her kibbee nayyeh, which everyone looked forward to, especially her brothers.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rizzie and Genevieve, and her beloved brother, Lloyd M. Yazbek.

Family and friends may pay their respects to Amelia from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Maron Maronite Church, 1555 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown, followed by a Divine Liturgy at 1 p.m., with Father Tony Massad, and Chorbishops Mike Kail and Anthony Spinosa as officiants, assisted by her cousin, Deacon William George.

Private burial will take place in Calvary Cemetery, Youngstown.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the professional care of the Rossi & Santucci Funeral Home, 4221 Market St., Boardman.

Contributions may be made to St. Maron Parish, 1555 S. Meridian Road, Youngstown, OH 44511; the Basilica & National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon, 2759 N. Lipkey Road, North Jackson, OH 44451; the Antonine Sisters, 2675 N. Lipkey Road, North Jackson, OH 44451; or the Maronite Servants of Christ The Light, 856 Tucker Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747.

Family and friends may visit www.rossisantuccifh.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Amelia’s family.

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