Waddad Buttross

Published 12:00 am Sunday, August 3, 2008

NATCHEZ — A funeral mass for Waddad Evelyn Habeeb Buttross, 87, who died Thursday, July 31, 2008, after courageously facing a short and final illness, will be noon Monday at St. Mary Basilica with the Revs. David O’Connor and Al Camp officiating.

Visitation will be 10:30 a.m. until noon Monday at St. Mary Basilica.

Waddad conquered the final challenge peacefully in her sleep.

Waddad was born May 28, 1921, the youngest of seven children to parents Alexander and Loretta Deeb Habeeb, months after her family emigrated from Lebanon. She was always remembered as “the apple of Papa’s eye” and was her mother’s constant companion in the kitchen, mastering traditions of Lebanese cuisine. She was lovingly and playfully referred to by her six older siblings as “Baby.”

Waddad was a graduate of Vicksburg High School and studied two years at All Saints College in Vicksburg. On April 27, 1941, she wed Peter Buttross, her husband of 67 years. The two lived in Canton for the first years of their marriage but in 1946 they moved to Natchez to raise their family and build a business.

The couple opened “Cradle Through College” in 1950, later renamed Peter’s Children’s Boutique, and worked side-by-side until their retirement in 1991. Waddad was the heart and soul of the family’s business. She clothed generations of children and guided young families and grandparents through the joys of clothing and nurturing their children. Her children learned from her example the art of service, patience and kindness.

Waddad’s greatest and most complete devotion was to her husband and her children whom she nurtured and gave strength and comfort to until she took her last breath. She was also devoted to her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers, sister and her extended family of in-laws, nephews and nieces on both sides of the family.

She bestowed upon her family and friends an example of unparalleled generosity and love. Nothing mattered to her more than making her children happy, which she succeeded at even until the end.

Probably the most lasting material gift to her family and to thousands of others was her published cookbook, “Waddad’s Kitchen: Lebanese Zest, Southern Best.” This cookbook started out as a compilation of family recipes to share with her children but ended up as a treasure of wonderful Lebanese and Southern recipes that now are spread throughout the United States and at least four continents. Her book is an often tattered but frequent reference on the cookbook shelves of family, friends and even strangers. It was not uncommon for total strangers to call or write her to thank her for her recipes of to share an anecdote about using her cookbook.

Waddad was known among family and friends as the most gracious and warm hostess, entertaining and sharing her talents and generous hospitality for as long as she was able. Even in her waning days from her hospital bed she would apologize for not being able to get up and she would muster the strength to pass on one of her familiar sweet waves as family and friends would tell her goodbye.

Waddad was a member-emeritus of the Natchez Garden Club, a member of the Natchez historical society and the Natchez Newcomers Club.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sisters-in-law William and Rose, Edward, Philip and Shirley, Touphic, Shouphie, sister and brother-in-law Maggie Habeeb Abraham and Haseeb, daughter Catherine Louise and grandson Matthew Ryan Buttross.

Survivors include her husband; five daughters, Patricia Ann Kenner, Marilyn Alexis Emfinger, Janice Marie Walker and son-in-law Glenn Walker, Margaret Waddad Buttross Brinegar and Jayne Louise Buttross; one son, Peter Buttross Jr.; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren; one brother, Dr. Alfred Habeeb and wife, Carmen; sisters-in-law Mable Habeeb and Norma Habeeb; and scores of nephews, nieces and friends of all generations.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Children’s Center, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive, No. 5092, Hattiesburg, Miss., 39406, fund #346 ; to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, Tenn., 38105; or to another charity of choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.lairdfh.com.