Remembering the Lives of

Malouf and Therese Abraham

We remember the lives of Malouf and Therese Abraham with gratitude and respect. Their love for art, education, and Canadian shaped something extraordinary—a legacy that continues to inspire and uplift. The Citadelle is proud to honor who they were, what they built, and the many lives they touched along the way.

Therese Abraham

APRIL 10, 1938 - AUGUST 29, 2024

Dr. Malouf Abraham, jr.

OCTOBER 29, 1939 - MAY 5, 2025

Some people walk through life with a purpose of leaving a legacy that echoes long after they’re gone. Malouf and Therese Abraham were two of those people.

Therese was a nurse. Malouf, a doctor. They met in Greensboro, North Carolina—she brought calm and clarity, he brought vibrant life, personality, and drive. Together, they built a life anchored in love, creativity, and generosity. In 1963, they married. What followed was a partnership that shaped not only their family but also an entire community.

Their journey eventually led them to Canadian, Texas. They saw beauty in the town, and also a need. Art. Creativity. A place where wonder could take root. So they took an old church and made it home. Then they took that home and made it The Citadelle.

Therese and Malouf opened their doors to schoolchildren, neighbors, and anyone who could use a moment of beauty or a reminder that art belongs to all of us. Art lovers from around the world have enjoyed The Citadelle. Thousands of students saw real paintings for the first time because of Malouf and Therese. Teachers found resources. Visitors found joy. Everyone found welcome.

Their presence remains in the brushstrokes on the walls of The Citadelle, in the students who now see the world a little differently, and in the neighbors who felt their kindness.

Thank you, Malouf and Therese. Your story lives on—in Canadian, in The Citadelle, and in all of us who had the honor of knowing you.

Memorial services for Dr. Malouf Abraham, Jr. will be held on Wednesday, May 21, at 1pm, at The Citadelle Gardens. You can read his full obituary here. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Malouf’s name to The Citadelle Art Museum, 520 E Nelson Ave., Canadian, TX 79014, www.thecitadelle.org/donate.