KHADIJAH SALAAM

OBITUARY OF Khadijah Salaam

Khadijah Salaam was born Edwina Marshall on July 23, 1921, in Virginia to the Late Robert and Edwina Marshall. Khadijah was one of eleven children and peacefully returned to Allah at home in Montclair, New Jersey on January 6, 2022, surrounded by family.

Khadijah received her education in the Montclair New Jersey Public School System and then attended Nursing School. She later began her career in finance and was employed with the Internal Revenue Service. Afterward, she utilized her talents as the Treasurer with Specialty Promotions a family-owned Import and Export company. Always seeking new challenges, she became a Sales Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics Corporation servicing hundreds of clients. She concluded her career as an Ombudsman with the State of Illinois. After retirement, she became a volunteer at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois caring for cocaine-addicted newborns.

Khadijah accepted Islam as her way of life 1957 and was recognized for her business acumen and was appointed Secretary of Temple 25, Khadijah was appointed to this position by the Honorable Elijah Muhammad. In the late 1970s Khadijah traveled to Saudi Arabia to perform the rituals of Hajj.

Khadijah met and married Bernard Silvera and gave birth to 2 children Sharonda (Patricia) and Robert, she then married Dr. Abdul Salaam and from that union derived Darwin, Abdul, and bonus daughter Valerie. Proceeding her in death are her parents Robert and Edwina Marshall, her siblings Flora, Edith, Marjorie, Mary, Rose, Edward, Stonewall, Robert and Willie, and John. Her former spouse Bernard Silvera. Her husband Dr. Abdul Salaam and granddaughter Iman Salaam.

Khadijah leaves to cherish her memory, Sharonda Ali Khan, Robert Silvera, Valerie (Maurice) Best, Darwin (Valorita), Abdul Salaam, her grandchildren Zakiyyah Salaam, Ali Salaam, Harun (Patricia), Monica Austin, Abdul Mumin Salaam (Kristina), Khadijah Salaam, Jamal Salaam, Jamillah Salaam, Lakesha (Robert) Nelson, Darwin Salaam II, Chris Gill, Donte Salaam, Amir Salaam, Aaliyah Salaam, Naeem Salaam. 19 Great Grandchildren, 12 Great-Great Grandchildren along with a host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and Muslim brothers and sisters.