Lamya M. (Shaheen) Stowens,  entered into eternal rest on Friday December 30, 2022.

Lamya was born in Utica, NY, the daughter of the late Fouad (Edward) Shaheen and Souraya (Atallah) Shaheen.  She was educated locally at Kemble School and Utica Free Academy.  She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Utica College and continued with graduate study in medicine, in Chicago and at the American University of Beirut.  She holds many certificates in Cytology.  Her medical career as a cytologist developed over the years as she gained experience from employment at the laboratories at the Utica Psychiatric Center and Faxton Hospital under the guidance of Dr. Legrand Thomas, and later at St. Lukes Laboratory.  Her final position was with Oneida Health Care, until her retirement in 1995.  In 1975 she married Dr. Daniel Stowens at Grace Episcopal Church in Utica.  They traveled extensively for many years, visiting England, Europe and the Middle East and shared a fulfilling union of 25 years until Dan's passing.

Lamya was a faithful Maronite Roman Catholic all her life.  She had a very strong belief in prayer, especially in praying the rosary, and she believed that generosity and good works were essential to living a life that reflected her religious principles.  She was also devoted to the Adoration Society at St. Joseph/St. Patrick's Church and spent many hours there in meditation and prayer; she was always willing to fill in for other adorers when a gap in covered occurred.  She made many dear friends at Adoration, who shared her devout attention to the church.  At St. Louis of Gonzaga Church, she was a member of the St. Mary's Guild for many years, taking great enjoyment in volunteering for Guild functions.

Lamya had a very strong attachment to and interest in her family and close friends and was in the habit of calling her family and friends daily to check on their welfare.  She always asked if there was anything she could do for them; those called will be deeply missed.

Lamya leaves behind to mourn her passing siblings, Hon. Anthony Shaheen, George and Linda Shaheen, and John and Patricia Shaheen. She is also survived by stepsons Chris and Dan Stowens, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Her family would like to extend sincere thanks to people who helped Lamya with rides to appointments, friendship, and many tasks around her home, especially Gloria Shaheen, Barbara Marra, Richard Heintz, and Chris and Kristin Tanoury.

Family and friends are kindly invited to share their remembrances of Lamya, with her family, at calling hours at the John L. Matt Funeral Home, 3309 Oneida St., Chadwicks, on Friday, January 6, 2023,  from 2 - 5 p.m.

The Liturgy of the Faithful Departed will be on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at St. Louis of Gonzaga Church, Rutger St., Utica, celebrated by Abouna Boutros El Hachem, at 11 a.m.

Please consider donations in Lamya's memory to either St. Louis of Gonzaga Church or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.  To send an online message of sympathy go to: www.johnlmattfuneralhome.com