Sylvia Lee “Salli” (Durling) Farhat
Sylvia went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 3, 2019, at the age of 78. Salli died peacefully surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul & Gladys Durling, grandson Mitchell Jordan Farhat, and brother in-law Dean Hedglen. She will be lovingly missed by John, her husband of 57 years; her children, Angela (John) Tisdale, Tim (Kelly) Farhat, Mike (Ann) Farhat, Paul (Jenni) Farhat, Beth Farhat, and Faith (Nick) Balanowski; grandchildren who knew her as “Teta,” Amber (Matt) Carr, April (Jason) Alleman, Joseph (Alice) Tisdale, Victoria (Mike) Leveille, Autumn, James, Natalie, Alyssa, Arison, Melanie (Garrett) Hedin, Amiya, Isabelle, Tiffany, Timothy, Ava, Aubry, Ashlyn, Trinity, Eli, Jada, Sevren, Brooke, Josiah, Veronica, Asante, and Kainen; great-grandchildren, Areya, Kohen, Pierce, Madeleine, Theodore, Aurora, and Haylah; and her siblings, Jim (Kathy) Durling, Paula Hedglen, and Jerry (Donna) Durling.
Salli was beautiful inside and out. She made everyone feel loved and special. She lit up a room whenever she walked in. Her love of cooking and baking has been passed down to her children. Many family gatherings were made better with her famous chocolate chip cookies. Spending time with family was the most important thing to her. She loved her dog Mollygirl and was known to go on long walks with her. The outdoors and being in the sunshine were things that brought her much joy. For many years she would go for long runs until her hips & knees gave out. Her genuine love for people was a great example for all. Salli also enjoyed writing, drawing, painting, planting flowers and listening to music. Salli graduated from Everett High School in 1959. She attended Bible College and did some modeling. Her true calling was being a homemaker and mother, which she devoted her life to. She went back into the workforce as a customer service representative at Medawar Jewelers for many years, which she did with grace and style. Her great taste in fashion was evident to all. The family would like to thank the staff at McLaren Hospital for the care she received and support they gave.
A celebration of Salli’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, December 9, 2019, at Charlotte Assembly of God, 1100 E. Clinton Trail, with Pastor Shane Bryant officiating. Her family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday, and one hour prior to the funeral at the church on Monday.
18 Messages to “Sylvia Lee “Salli” (Durling) Farhat”
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Patty Farhat
December 4, 2019 at 4:39 pmDear Cousin Johnny and Family,
On behalf of Rocky, Penny and myself and our spouses, please accept our deepest sympathy on the untimely passing of your wonderful wife and best friend, Salli.
You and your family are, and will continue to be in our prayers.
May she rest in peace and may her memory be eternal.
God Bless you all,
Love Patty
Nan Farhat
December 5, 2019 at 6:29 amDearest Uncle John and family,
Aunt Salli had an infectious smile and love for people that she passed on to her children and grand children. I will never forget the love you felt in her presence. Matthew and I are keeping you all in our prayers.
Love, Nan
John
December 5, 2019 at 9:36 amJohn,Bethany,
Please accept our deepest sympathies for the loss of your loving wife and mom. You will always be in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
John & Judi Daher
Shawn Collins
December 5, 2019 at 11:56 amMy heart is broken. Our thoughts and prayers to all of you.
Mike and Barb Radigan
December 5, 2019 at 5:03 pmOur hearts are broken. We have such wonderful memories of John and Sally (and Tim, Kelly and kids) living in Eagle Harbor not far from us for several years before leaving to be closer to family. Sally was indeed a bright spot in our lives. Many times she was out there jogging and walking while she prayed up a storm. Her cooking and baking were exemplary. Due to our early winter weather here in the Keweenaw we will not be able to attend the funeral but know that you Farhats are in our hearts forever.
Karen Baes
December 5, 2019 at 7:35 pmUncle John & cousins,
I’m deeply saddened by Aunt Sal’s passing. My heart aches for you all. Uncle John you were so fortunate to pick Aunt Sal for your life partner…she was truly one of a kind. Having her as a mentor in my early years when you lived at Teta’s after you married was my good fortune. She was so young but she showered Tanya and I with the love & affection she knew we needed. And then you brought Angela into your lives and started your own family and each one of your children were blessed with one amazing woman for their own mom. She was an angel on earth and now she is an angel in heaven. I’m praying for you all at this moment and in the days weeks and ahead. Cherish every beautiful memory, Her legacy lives on in each of you.
God bless you all.
My love—Karen
Linda Phillipich
December 5, 2019 at 7:58 pmSalli was a wonderful lady and I enjoyed our simple conversations especially over our mutual grandchildren, Severn and Kainen. Ann feels her loss of Salli as a mother-in-law, and recently expressed her gratitude having sat between John and Salli at Thanksgiving. With my sincere condolences.
Janice Kratzer
December 5, 2019 at 8:55 pmLoveliness never dies, it just fades into greater loveliness.
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of loss
Mary Ellen Yerxa
December 5, 2019 at 10:44 pmBethany and family – Please accept my sincere and heartfelt sympathy. I know you have beautiful memories that will strengthen and sustain you. I am praying for you and know that God will grace you with that peace that surpasses all understanding that only comes from Him.
Mary Ann Daly
December 6, 2019 at 5:17 amI remember Salli when I was 17 & she was getting ready to marry my cousin. She made an impact on me that lasts to this day. We were so honored to see her at my brothers visitation & rosary. She was an angel on earth & will be your “guardian angel” forever.
This is my belief. Love always to you, my cousins John & family.
Sincerely,
Cousins Mary Ann Daly & Family
Rhonda and Tom Fisher
December 6, 2019 at 7:52 amSo sorry for your loss Faith. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Tony and Kay Filice
December 6, 2019 at 12:28 pmJohn, I can only imagine the hurt your heart must feel with Salli’s passing. I know how much she meant to you and how caring you were to her. She was the star that lit the night for you, as you were the star who lit her way. You both complimented each other, and it always showed. Her broad smile and infectious laughter will be so missed. I pray God gives you the strength to guide your family through this crisis. May God bless you and your family with nothing but happy memories, and thoughts of good times, with your loving Salli. Stay strong old friend.
Alita Briones
December 7, 2019 at 3:28 pmDear Beth, Faith, and Farhat family,
Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of your beautiful mother. She was a lovely person and I will always remember her daily runs down Tecumseh river drive as well as her style and grace.
Kathy Dobie
December 8, 2019 at 8:47 amTo Bethany and all the family….
I am so sorry for the loss of your mom. She was a beautiful lady with a warm and lovely personality. She was a bright light that attracted others to herself. What a tremendous legacy she has created in all of you.
Joy Annette ( Hammond) Rosier.
December 8, 2019 at 2:57 pmDear Family of Sally Farhat, So sorry for your loss. I can remember sitting behind your family at First Assembly of God of Greater Lansing. Also, I still wear the ring your Mother helped me design.
Michelle hoppes
December 8, 2019 at 11:13 pmDear family. I am so sorry for your loss. Sally was such a beautiful lady inside and out and so loved her family. With sympathy -Michelle Hoppes (Margaret Curtin’s daughter).
Janna Gardner
December 9, 2019 at 6:10 amDear family of Salli Farhat, I met Salli at Charlotte Assembly of God Church several years ago and I was immediately impressed with her beauty, warmth, and grace. Since that first meeting, I’ve looked forward to seeing her every week, embracing like life-long friends, and encouraging each other in the Lord. Our mutual love for Jesus Christ drew us together for eternity and for that I am so grateful! She will be truly missed and never forgotten by her church family.
Dawn Edwards-Kellum
December 11, 2019 at 8:05 amI am very sorry for your loss. May our Heavenly Father continue to comfort all of her family and loved ones and grant them divine peace that passes all human understanding.