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Fareda Saba Eddy, 84, passed away peacefully on April 26, 2026, surrounded by her children, her sister, and her beloved dog, Nola.

Born on July 24, 1941, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Fareda was the eldest daughter of Ernest and Mary Saba and shared a lifelong bond with her dear sister, Joey. New Orleans was not simply where Fareda was raised, it was part of who she was, and the city’s traditions, warmth, and sense of community shaped the way she lived and loved.

Fareda graduated from Loyola University New Orleans with a degree in Medical Technology in 1962. During her time at college, she met her future husband, Jim Eddy, at a Lebanese Heritage convention they both attended with their families. Their courtship reflected both her resolve and her propriety, as she made Jim wait outside while she finished her homework. After graduating and working independently, Fareda married Jim in October 1963. They spent 61 happy years of marriage together, raising their three daughters, Andrea, Dianna, and Jamie, and their son, James.

Fareda eventually made Kansas City her home, where she devoted herself fully to raising her family. As a mother, she believed in encouraging her children to explore the world around them. Her philosophy was simple and lasting. You did not have to stick with everything, but you did have to try everything. She filled their lives with opportunity, from sports and horseback riding to books and creativity, and was a constant presence in their schools and activities. She volunteered generously and used her Southern charm to advocate for fairness, including efforts to ensure girls had equal access to athletic equipment and that school policies reflected that same sense of equity.

She was known for her warmth and her gift for connection. A trip to the grocery store or a doctor’s office rarely went uninterrupted, as she was almost always greeted by someone she knew. She delighted in bringing people together, nowhere more evident than in the birthday parties she hosted, joyful gatherings filled with games, traditions, and, always, a piñata. Her commitment and volunteerism in her community was endless, and notable roles included serving as president of school Mother’s Clubs, member of the Edgewood Homes Association Board, Milburn Country Club Swim and Dive Chairperson, Notre Dame de Sion Carnival Chairperson, and the Nativity Parish A&E Committee.

Her love for New Orleans and her Lebanese and Italian heritage remained a constant throughout her life. She returned to New Orleans often, especially during Mardi Gras, dressing in costume and creating lasting traditions for her children, including watching parades from a ladder bench built by her father. She took pride in sharing the culture, food, and spirit of her hometown with her family, carrying its essence with her wherever she lived. This continued after Hurricane Katrina destroyed her parents’ home, and Fareda relocated her parents to Kansas City, where she cared for them with unwavering commitment in their later years.

Fareda will be remembered for her constant care of others, rooted in her background in medical technology, as she cared not only for her own parents, but also her parents-in-law, sister, brothers and sisters-in-law, children, and grandchildren, making caregiving her mission even as her own health started to waver. She considered her greatest role to be that of wife and mother, and was especially proud to be “Nana” to her grandchildren, Tabor and Townshend Hurt, and Annie and Juliette Eddy.

In her later years, Fareda embraced joy and connection despite her long journey with health issues. She was cared for with great love by her husband, Jim, until his passing, and by her children, family, and many loyal friends. She continued to enjoy music, good food, her faith, and the companionship of her beloved dog, Nola.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim, her parents, Ernest and Mary Saba, and her brother-in-law, Joseph Harfoush.

She is survived by her children, Andrea Eddy, Dianna Barron, Jamie Hurt, and James Eddy; their spouses, Paul Dunkelman, Stephen Barron, Mike Hurt, and Ruth Dickson Eddy; her beloved grandchildren, Tabor, Townshend, Annie, and Juliette; her sister, Josephine “Joey” Harfoush; sisters-in-law Sandra Eddy Huff and Dawn Eddy Rashid; and her nieces and nephews: Cale, Jon, Alexis, Julie, Doug, Laura, and Ned. She will also be missed deeply by her faithful companion, Nola.

Visitation will be held at Church of the Nativity, 3800 W. 119th Street, Leawood, Kansas, on Friday, May 1st, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., with the rosary at 11:30 a.m. and funeral services at 12:00 p.m. In honor of Fareda, guests are invited to wear a touch of New Orleans purple, green, or gold.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Fareda’s name can be made to the following:

The Jim and Fareda Eddy Scholarship Fund:
https://www.ndsion.edu/giving/give-to-sion

Please note this fund when making a donation.