Dora Dagher Nasser

The link to the livestream will be available HERE on the day of the service.

Our beloved Dora passed away on October 4, 2026.

Dora Dagher Nasser passed away at age 99 at the Hospice at Glengarda in Saskatoon, on a beautiful, sunny autumn morning. Dora was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and cousin, and dear friend to many.

She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Karim (Kay) Nasser, 5 children: Selma McMahon (Mike Laliberte), Mona (Kieron Kilduff), May, Roseann (Mike), and John (Ellen); 10 grandchildren: James McMahon (Siobhan Cooper); Aidan, Connor (Sydney Kuppenbender) and Rory Kilduff; Hannah and Jack; Bella, Millie, Sam and Walter Nasser; and one great-grandchild Daisy McMahon.

Dora was predeceased by her parents, Nicholas and Hanneh Dagher, and three of her four siblings: Asceen Zogheib, Nizar Dagher and Anis Dagher. She is survived by her sister, Leila Tanios. Also survived by her close cousins Marie Claire Ged (Dan Mallett) and Connie Akins; sisters-in-law Noha Karam (Nick) and Soumaya Rinno, brother-in-law Fadlallah Nasser (Hyam), and many nieces and nephews.

Dora's life was full of exotic adventures; she went from a close knit family living close to the Mediterranean Sea and the bustling souks of Sidon, Lebanon, to the American University of Beirut, to married life with Karim in the oil fields of Saudi Arabia and the steel towns of Pennsylvania, and back to Lebanon in 1960, via freighter, with three young daughters, while Karim worked to get settled in Canada. In 1963, Dora and the girls joined Karim in Saskatoon, which eventually became Dora's favourite place in the world. To her it was peaceful and beautiful, and she told everyone she knew they should live there, too.

Dora adapted quickly to her new community, learning from neighbours and other University of Saskatchewan faculty wives, and early on, was proudly crowned the 1965 North Saskatchewan Salad Queen. It took her much longer to adapt to the winter weather, learning the hard way that fashionable leather gloves and boots were not adequate. Always busy, raising 3 girls, supporting and working with Karim on his business ventures, Dora even returned to university to obtain her B.Ed. with Distinction.

Roseann and John were born soon thereafter and the family settled into their home in Grosvenor Park, where Dora planted a huge garden every year. She was constantly knitting and sewing for her family and kept up to date with politics and world affairs through her reading and her beloved CBC radio. She was an avid reader all her life and eventually became a member of two book clubs, continuing in one with close friends until she was in her 90's. She translated several books for fun and then wrote a book about her own adventures.

She joyously welcomed the arrival of each of her grandchildren and became their beloved Nana. She made each of them feel special in their own way and loved having them in the house. She was thrilled when her great-granddaughter arrived. She had a big heart, and all the neighbourhood children felt its warmth, as she found joy in them.

Food and conversation were Dora's love language - she loved to feed her family, friends and relatives. She often said food solves a lot of problems. Many of Karim's colleagues or students would end up at Sunday dinner. She was constantly experimenting and her sunny kitchen was always inviting, either with the smell of freshly baked bread, jam or her legendary baklava. She was known for her bottomless magic freezer. Her three sons-in-law tried very hard to outdo each other when the home baked pies appeared. She welcomed everyone into her kitchen, and in addition to baking cookies with her grandchildren, she taught many how to make various Lebanese delicacies.

Dora was a kind and supportive friend, always willing to listen or provide a meal, baking, or a cup of tea. She had a beautiful smile, was gracious with old world manners and laughed easily, especially at herself. She had a quick wit and a great sense of humour.

Dora was devoted to Karim, extremely proud of his accomplishments, and worried about him until she passed away.

 Dora lived a good life, and we are blessed to have been part of it with her. She will be greatly missed by family and friends in many parts of the world. We thank them all for their love and support of Dora over the years.

We are grateful to May, whose presence allowed Dora and Karim to remain in their home together until shortly before Dora's passing. In the last 2 years, Mary Ann became an integral part of Dora's care at home, for which we are thankful. We also extend our thanks to the Bayshore staff who helped care for Dora with such kindness, as well as the staff at Glengarda, who provided great comfort to Dora and her family during her stay. We are thankful for the compassionate care of the doctors and medical personnel who cared for Dora over the years.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Friday, October 16th at 2 pm at the Saskatoon Funeral Home. The livestream link will be available at the top of this obituary on October 16. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Hospice at Glengarda or a charity of your choice.