1 / 8 Aysheh Marrar

Dr. Khalil Marrar is a university political science professor who describes his late mother, Aysheh Marrar, as a "beautiful soul" who worked hard to put him and his siblings through school. "She taught me that parenthood is a divine devotion," he explains. "That even despite the lot you are given in life, with perseverance you could create for yourself and your loved ones a heaven on earth." Dr. Marrar remembers his mother fondly and holds her in the highest regard, "My mom only had roughly a fourth grade education. Yet she was the most educated person I've ever encountered in matters of life, faith, family, people..." Aysheh passed away in an Illinois hospital in 2007.

Dr. Khalil Marrar