Raymonde Sayegh, Paterson mayor's mother, dies at 85

Joe Malinconico
Updated ·1 min read
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PATERSON — Raymonde Sayegh, who drove a school bus for 40 years as her oldest son grew up to become mayor of New Jersey’s third-largest city, died Wednesday after an extended illness. She was 85.

“I lost my mother this morning but I will never lose her love,” Mayor Andre Sayegh posted on Facebook.

The mayor’s parents were estranged, and he often spoke glowingly of his mother’s sacrifices and dedication for him and his younger brother, Aldo, who is 47.

Paterson's Mayor Andre Sayegh kisses his mother Raymonde Sayegh during the City of Paterson Inaugural Ceremony 2018 at the International High School in Paterson on 07/01/18.
Paterson's Mayor Andre Sayegh kisses his mother Raymonde Sayegh during the City of Paterson Inaugural Ceremony 2018 at the International High School in Paterson on 07/01/18.

Raymonde Sayegh, an immigrant from Syria, had been living in a nursing home in recent years as she suffered from dementia. She attended her son’s 2018 swearing-in ceremony, where the two of them engaged in an emotional embrace.

Paterson Board of Education President Manny Martinez, one of the Sayegh brothers’ longtime friends, described Raymonde as a “second mother” for the boys in their group.

Paterson's new Mayor Andre Sayegh's mother Raymonde Sayegh is mentioned during the City of Paterson Inaugural Ceremony 2018 at the International High School in Paterson on 07/01/18.
Paterson's new Mayor Andre Sayegh's mother Raymonde Sayegh is mentioned during the City of Paterson Inaugural Ceremony 2018 at the International High School in Paterson on 07/01/18.

“She sheltered us, she cared for us, she loved us like her own,” Martinez said, recalling the succulent Middle Eastern dishes she would serve her sons’ friends.

But Raymonde Sayegh didn’t coddle the boys, Martinez said. “When she had to get tough, she got tough,” he recalled.

Her willingness to impose discipline earned her a nickname, Martinez said.

48214 -- Paterson, New Jersey -- July 01, 2008 -- The Inaugural Ceremony for the City of Paterson featured the swearing in of two new members of teh City Council. l to r, Luisa Rosario, girlfriend to newly sworn in Councilman Julio Tavares, Raymonde Sayegh, mother of newly sworn in Councilman Andre Sayegh. -- Chris Pedota / The Record
48214 -- Paterson, New Jersey -- July 01, 2008 -- The Inaugural Ceremony for the City of Paterson featured the swearing in of two new members of teh City Council. l to r, Luisa Rosario, girlfriend to newly sworn in Councilman Julio Tavares, Raymonde Sayegh, mother of newly sworn in Councilman Andre Sayegh. -- Chris Pedota / The Record

“We called her the Shammer,” he recalled, saying he thinks the boys came up with the name because it rhymed with "hammer."

The wake is scheduled for Friday from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Armenian Catholic Church at 155 Long Hill Road in Little Falls. The wake will be immediately followed by "a celebration of life."

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Raymonde Sayegh, Paterson mayor's mother, dies at 85