Jacqueline Naifeh Kouri

Jacqueline (“Jacque”) Naifeh Kouri fell asleep in the Lord in Wichita, Kansas on January 23, 2023.  Jacque was born in Bristow, Oklahoma on May 18, 1935.  Jacque, together with her parents Thomas and Lucille Naifeh, moved to Woodward, Oklahoma when Jacque was young and she graduated from Woodward High School.  She attended the University of Oklahoma and met the love of her life, Dr. Sammy Kouri soon thereafter.  Dr. Sam was attending medical school at the University of Oklahoma and Jacque and Dr. Sam started what became a 65-year marriage on June 16, 1957.  They had the most beautiful partnership, did almost everything together, and were a perfect example of a true Christian marriage.

After their marriage, Dr. Sam and Jacque moved to Wichita, Kansas and lived there while Dr. Sam completed his residency.  After residency, they made Wichita their permanent home in 1962 where Dr. Sam became one of the most prominent surgeons in the Midwest.  They raised four beautiful children, Debbi, Tami, Sammy Jr. and Stephanie.  Their positive influence on the city of Wichita and the state of Kansas cannot be measured and will have a lasting effect for many years to come.  Specifically, they were great supporters of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral, Wichita State University and many, many other organizations, and groups throughout the community.  

In her Church, she was not only locally but nationally involved.  At St. George Cathedral, she was a member of Ladies of St. George, the Cathedral Choir, chairman and actively involved in the St. George Cathedral Annual Public Dinner, member of the Community Support Committee and life member of St. Ignatius. Along with her husband they established the Dr. Sam and Jacque Kouri Scholarship Fund.  Nationally she served as President of the Antiochian Women Organization and attended many regional and national Church meetings.  

Jacque was very involved in the Wichita community and especially Wichita State University.  She served on the Foundation Board of Directors, the Advisory Art Committee for the Ulrich Museum, the Fine Arts Board and the WSU Foundation’s National Advisory Counsel.  Together with her husband, the Kouris were the principal contributors for the Champions Club at Koch Arena, the Outdoor Paracourse for Handicapped Services and the Collection Study Center at the Ulrich Museum.  She could always be found at WSU basketball games cheering hard for the Shockers and letting the refs know of her displeasure when calls went against the home team.

Notwithstanding her church and civic accomplishments, her life revolved around family and friends.  Jacque was an accomplished homemaker and their home was always open to everyone.  Jacque and Sam embodied the true spirit of Christian hospitality.  By far the biggest joys in her life were her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  Her children and grandchildren recall fondly their many trips to Palm Desert for spring break, hours spent at their home and swimming pool during the summer and the special times she made for everyone’s birthdays, graduations, weddings and virtually every other important event in their lives.  She loved to laugh and had a joyful spirit, even during the difficult times of her final illness.  She constantly prayed for all her family and friends. Jacque enjoyed fellowship with dear friends of the Bona Dea Club.  She was a second mother and Sittie (grandmother) to everyone.

Jacque was preceded in death by her parents and her loving daughter, Stephanie.  She is survived by her husband, Dr. Sam, her children, Debbi (David) Elkouri, Tami (Dr. David) Simon, Sammy Kouri, Jr. (Allyn) and Stephanie’s husband, John Simon, her nine grandchildren, Justin Elkouri (Mica), Jessica (Dr. Edward, III) Harroz, Dr. Juliana (Porter) Braswell, Kouri (Dr. Mark) Ajalat, Jacob Simon (Elaine), Rachel Simon, Sammy Kouri III, Alexis Simon, John Robert Simon Jr (Danni) and ten great grandchildren, Gia, Evie, Nyssa, Rowan, Edison, Deacon, Mia, Grayson, Lila and Leighton.  

Viewing and Family Visitation for Jacque will commence on Friday January 27^th from 4:00-6:00pm at the Cozine Life Events Center at 11500 E 21st St. N, Wichita, KS 67206, followed by the Trisagion and Funeral Services at 7pm at St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral at 7515 E 13th St N, Wichita, KS 67206. 

Graveside Interment will take place on Saturday January 28^th at 10:00am at Old Mission Cemetery (3424 E 21st St. N, Wichita, KS 67208).

In place of flowers, memorials can be made in Jacque Kouri’s name to:

St. George Orthodox Cathedral

7515 E 13th St N

Wichita, KS 67206

Christ the Savior Academy

7515 E 13th St N

Wichita, KS 67206

May Jacque’s memory be eternal!