(3) MIRIAM (MARY) ZAKEM (1910-1973)

Miriam Zakem was born on June 19, 1910 in Kfeir and came to Canada in 1925 with her mother Zaryfie, sister Nahil and brothers Toufic and Said.

On October 9, 1929 she married Abdullah Kays and moved to Charlottetown in 1930. Abdullah was a son of Mary Marji who was a peddler around 1900 on the Island. They opened a grocery store on the corner of Pownal and Richmond Street. Later it was the

Medical Pharmacy and now is a co—op housing project.

Standing at back: Josephine and Joe Kays Seated: Catherine, Miriam (Zakem) and Albert Kays. In front of Albert are Victor and Edward

Uncle Abdullah (Albert) did some peddling and it is said that he got free passage on the train because they took him to be a native Indian because of his dark complexion. He was a heavy set man and always seemed a little overweight. He was addicted to playing cards and always seemed to be traveling off the Island leaving the running of the store to my Aunt Mary and the children. He was a frequent visitor at the Syrian Lebanese Club in Montreal that was a very popular place for card players. By coincidence he often stayed

at my in—laws over night after playing cards all day.

He started a soft drink business called Kay’s Beverage and after a few years, sold the grocery store and moved the beverage business to Stephenville, Newfoundland in 1955. There

was at that time a large American air base in that community and the economy was quite brisk. Besides his own brand, he was able to get the Coca Cola franchise that firmly

established the family as part of that community.

Aunt Mary had several serious operations while in Stephenville and when my Aunt Nahil (Mary’s sister) and her husband Uncle George Sadd came to the Island in 1969, they,

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