Mammo.

DETROIT—Ashley Mammo, a Chaldean American attorney and longtime community activist passed away July 9 of breast cancer. She was 45. 

Mammo was born Sep. 1, 1968. She was the founder of the West Bloomfield-based Ashley Mammo Law Firm and widely known as an activist who was passionate about empowering women in both the Chaldean and Arab communities. 

In 2005, Mammo, along with community activists Rana Abbas and Siham Awada Jaafar, started the group Arab-American Women Advocating for Resources and Empowerment (AWARE). The group was successful during the period it was active.  

AWARE helped bring together and create female leaders in the Arab American community. Those who knew Mammo closely say she always strived to encourage all women to reach their full potential. 

“She was very focused on creating an organization where women from the Middle East and here could build bridges of communication and look at their commonalities,” Jaafar said. “Ashley was extremely passionate about women’s rights and issues. She gave us encouragement. She was a successful woman and attorney, who wanted to see women seek education and be independent, and have a vision to reach their full potential. Ashley wanted to see women live their lives without having to be dependent on anyone.” 

Mammo was also a former member of the national board of the Arab American Anti Discrimination Committee. She was an avid supporter of the Chaldean American Ladies of Charity (CALC) and volunteered a lot of her time to helping advance the group’s mission.  

Mammo had been expected to speak at a July 12 event CALC is hosting that will focus on women’s cancer survival awareness and to discuss her own experience in fighting breast cancer. 

The Rev. Manual Boji of the Holy Martyers Chaldean Catholic Church in Sterling Heights, who was also Mammo’s cousin, described her as humble. 

“I don’t think I can say a few words about Ashley. That is not enough,” Boji said.  

Visitation took place Thursday from 4-8 p.m. at the McCabe Funeral Home in Farmington Hills. At press time, a mass was scheduled for Friday, 10 a.m. at Mother of God Chaldean Catholic Church, 25585 Berg Road in Southfield. Interment followed at the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield. 

Mammo was the beloved daughter of the late Gorgis and Rojjo Mammo; cherished sister of Hikmat (Nahida), Hakima (Elias) Kassab, Michael (Sohayla), Joe (Ban), Summer and Ibtissam Mammo. She was also a caring aunt to numerous nieces and nephews. 

“She was a beautiful person,” Jaafer said. “We talked and spent a lot of time together. She was always very positive and very enthusiastic and played down her illness and never wanted anyone to feel bad for her. She will be missed by many and was a sister and good giving person.”