10/31/2025
A tribute to Dr. Mary Mikhail
“God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.”
Acts 10:38 (NKJV)
This verse beautifully summarizes the ministry of our Lord and reflects the life of Dr. Mary Mikhail, who spent her years going about doing good, healing burdens, and lifting the oppressed through love, compassion, and quiet strength.
Dr. Mary was valedictorian of her graduating class in Egypt, leading at a time when women in science were rare. She graduated first in her class from Assiut University in 1965, showing early that faith and excellence walk hand in hand.
She went on to earn her Ph.D. in Computer Science in Germany in 1972, when computers filled entire rooms and the field itself was still in its infancy. Dr. Mary later held leadership positions with Siemens in Germany and became a Vice President at Unisys in the United States, a remarkable achievement for a woman in technology at that time.
Beyond her professional brilliance, Dr. Mary helped found St. Marina Coptic Orthodox Church, serving faithfully even before there was a physical building, because to her, the Church was always people before walls.
In 2006, His Eminence Metropolitan Serapion entrusted her with leading Santa Verena Charity, where she served with tireless dedication for more than fifteen years. Under her guidance, Santa Verena grew into a lifeline of compassion for thousands, treating every person in need as Christ Himself.
Even through illness, Dr. Mary continued to serve, answering calls, organizing relief, and caring for others until her final days. Some people retire from work, but people like her never retire from love.
Today, we believe she rejoices in heaven, reunited with her beloved husband, Dr. Ibrahim, after a lifetime spent serving the Lord side by side.
Acts 10:38 tells us that Christ “went about doing good.”
Jesus was not only the One she admired but the One she imitated.
Her life reminds us that holiness is not loud. It is steady, faithful, and full of Christ.
May her prayers strengthen this ministry she helped build, and may Santa Verena Charity continue to be the hands of Christ to the world, just as she taught us.
