A Gentle Soul Called Home Too Soon
On December 1, 2025, the El Cajon community lost a cherished presence with the passing of Ablahad Moayed Shlemon at Kaiser Foundation Hospital Zion. Born in Iraq and rooted in rich traditions of faith, family, and love, Ablahad’s life was a testament to quiet strength and unwavering compassion. His departure has left a profound ache in the hearts of those who knew him. To his wife, Doreen, he was not just a partner but a source of comfort, laughter, and steadfast devotion. To his community, he was a man whose warmth lifted spirits and whose kindness left a lasting impression. The news of his passing has left family members, friends, and neighbors in deep sorrow, struggling to accept that someone so full of light could be gone so soon.
A Life Defined by Love, Faith, and Compassion
Ablahad carried within him the grace of a man shaped by experience, culture, and profound love for the people around him. His journey from Iraq to the United States was not simply a geographic move—it was a story of perseverance, resilience, and dedication to building a better life for his loved ones. Those who were blessed to know him describe him as gentle, loving, generous, and deeply spiritual. His home was a place of peace, strengthened by his respect for tradition and his commitment to family values. Doreen remembers him as the one who brought calm to chaos, who held the family together during hardships, and who offered unconditional love with every word and gesture. His presence made life feel safer, warmer, and more meaningful. Losing him is not just losing a husband, a friend, or a community member—it is losing a guiding light, a quiet protector, and a deeply cherished soul.
A Final Farewell Marked by Love, Faith, and Memories That Endure
Funeral services for Ablahad will be held on December 4, 2025, at St. Peter Chaldean Catholic Cathedral, followed by a graveside service at Holy Cross Cemetery in San Diego. These sacred moments will bring together friends, relatives, and community members who loved him, offering prayers and sharing memories that highlight the profound impact he made on their lives. As they gather, they will honor not just his passing but his legacy—one built on compassion, humility, and unwavering devotion to the people he held close. Though the sorrow felt today is heavy, the love he leaves behind is even stronger.
Ablahad’s memory will live forever in the hearts of those who loved him. His kindness, faith, and quiet strength continue to echo in the stories shared by family and friends. He leaves behind a lasting imprint—a reminder of how powerful a gentle soul can be, how deeply a single life can touch the world, and how love endures even in the face of loss. Rest peacefully, Ablahad. Your memory remains a blessing, today and always.