Obituary of Larry Anna Afifi

Larry Anna Afifi passed away Saturday, November 26, 2016 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City. Services have been held with burial at Muslim National Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Memorials in Larry's name may be made to Iowa City Hospice, The Islamic Center in Cedar Rapids or the Mother Mosque in Cedar Rapids. Condolences may be shared with her family at www.gayandciha.com. Larry Anna Patten was born September 7, 1936 in Enderlin, North Dakota; daughter of Oscar M. and Bertha (Brewer) Patten. She attended American University in Beirut where she earned her RN, BS and Master's degrees and later earned her Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Iowa. On June 17, 1960 she married Adel Kassim Afifi. Larry Anna lived a life devoted to her family while furthering the lives of others through education in public health and nursing. She was a respected educator and provider, serving as the Executive Director of Iowa City Hospice in the 1980s, teaching at universities in Iowa, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine as well as consulting for the World Health Organization and State Department with regard to health education and nursing. Larry Anna was honored by receiving a Certificate of Recognition from the Iowa House of Representatives and by a plaque in her name in the Iowa City Hospice garden in Willow Creek Park. Her family includes her husband, Dr. Adel Afifi of Iowa City; son, Walid Afifi and his wife, Tamara of Santa Barbara, California; daughter, Rima Afifi of Lebanon; brothers, Richard, Clarence and David Patten and grandchildren, Leila and Rania Afifi and Loulwa, Leah and Tala Soweid. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Dorothy and her grandson, Mohammad. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is caring for Larry's family and her services.