Dr. Cecile Ibrahim, 99

Dr. Cecile Ibrahim, 99, of Cranston, Rhode Island, died peacefully Oct. 30. She was the beloved wife of the late Dr. Ismail Jassim.

Born in Baghdad, Ibrahim was the cherished daughter of the late Ibrahim Tarzi and the late Lulu Cohen Tarzi. A trailblazer in her field, she graduated from the Medical University of Baghdad in 1948. She was the only woman in her graduating class.

Committed to the highest standards of pediatric care, she pursued advanced specialty training in London, studying at the Institute of Child Health at Great Ormond Street Hospital and North Middlesex Hospital. She earned a diploma in child health.

In 1964, Ibrahim immigrated to the United States with her husband and daughter, Sana. The family first lived in Cleveland, where she was appointed a teaching and research fellow in pediatrics at the Cleveland Metropolitan General Hospital. While in Ohio, she served on the staff of Case Western Reserve University and volunteered her time to the local Head Start program.

Ibrahim and her family moved to Rhode Island in 1968. She initially worked in the pediatric department at Roger Williams Hospital and completed a part-time fellowship in the pediatric allergy department at Rhode Island Hospital. In 1975, she opened a private practice in pediatrics, serving local families with deep dedication. Her patients were her top priority — she was available to them at all hours and was loved for her kindness and compassion.

In 1976, she and her family became proud U.S. citizens.

Certified as a specialist by the American Board of Pediatrics, she was a proud member of the Iraqi Medical Association, the Rhode Island Medical Society and the American Medical Association. She retired from her practice in 1990, leaving behind a legacy of healing and care.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Sana J. Greene, and her son-in-law, James, of Cranston. She leaves behind her brother, Shafiq Darzi, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Anwar Tarzi, Nazhat Tarzi, Naji Tarzi and Abdullah Tarzi.

The family is grateful for the services of Beacon Hospice Care and Concord Home Care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ibrahim's memory may be made to In-Sight, a nonprofit vision rehabilitation organization, at 43 Jefferson Blvd., Warwick, RI 02888, or at in-sight.org.