Gamal Hanna

Our beloved Mom and Teta Gamal “Jimmie” (Fam) Hanna passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Her family was grateful to be by her side when she passed in Gulf Breeze, Florida, at the age of 93. Jimmie was born in Cairo, Egypt, on July 7, 1932, the first of two children for Hanna and Minerva Fam. She left Egypt to attend college at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA, where she graduated with a Home Economics degree. She then attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA, where she earned a master’s and teaching degree in Home Economics. After college, Jimmie returned to Egypt to marry Youssef Bishay Hanna. They enjoyed their early life together in Egypt, where they spent time with both of their extended families, and where they had a daughter, Shahira, and a son Raouf (Peter).

Despite a lovely life in Egypt, when the opportunity arrived Jimmie and Youssef decided to leave and emigrate. First, they emigrated to Canada, where Jimmie found a teaching job. After a year in Canada, the family moved to Tenafly, New Jersey, and then to the Washingtonville, New York, area where Jimmie taught high school home economics. Jimmie loved teaching, especially the jocks who took the class for an easy A but always seemed to enjoy something she taught them, even if it was just eating the treats they would make together. Jimmie was an excellent cook and passed her love of cooking to both her children. She was also skilled at fashion design, having designed and made her own wedding gown. Much of her needlework is framed and enjoyed by her family, none more so than the elaborate Christmas stockings used every year.

After Shahira went to college, Jimmie and Youssef left New York with Peter and moved to Pittsburgh, where Jimmie was pleased to return to the city she first loved as an international college undergraduate. Jimmie became a devout and vociferous fan of the Steelers and Penguins, frequently cursing the houses of the opposing team in Arabic. As in every place they lived, Jimmie was an excellent hostess and enjoyed having friends over for food, drinks, and laughter. Jimmie loved music and enjoyed playing organ at home. She also sang choir in every church she belonged to. Jimmie’s biggest passion may have been traveling, from her days as a college student until physical limitations set in late in life. She liked to say how lucky she was to have traveled the world, and always enjoyed learning about the history, food, and culture of the places she visited.

Back at home, Jimmie loved being with her three grandchildren Matthew, Ryan and Sydney. She would proudly talk about them to whoever she was with. She moved to Biloxi, Mississippi, with Youssef when her first grandchild Matthew was born. She was also there when Ryan and Sydney were born in Houston, Texas. The family was happy and lucky to be together for one more Christmas prior to Jimmie’s death. Jimmie was preceded in death by her husband, Youssef; and her brother, Freddy Fam. She is survived by her daughter, Shahira (Hanna) Sedgwick; son-in-law, Mark Sedgwick; and grandson, Matthew Sedgwick, as well as her son, Peter Hanna; daughter-in-law, Lisa (Eble) Hanna; grandson, Ryan Hanna; and granddaughter, Sydney Hanna. Together, we are all thankful to God for our time with her, and for welcoming her into heaven’s choir.

Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Gamal Hanna.