Bea Shaheen McPherson (1921-2026) Bea Shaheen McPherson (affectionately known to many as “Aunt Bea”), of Hartville, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of April 17, 2026. She was 104 years old.

Born in Canton, Ohio, on December 14, 1921, Bea was the daughter of Selma D. Shaheen, who emigrated from Arneh, Syria, in 1915, and Moses D. Shaheen, who emigrated in 1899. Her father was an Oriental rug and linen salesman. Both parents became naturalized citizens and, as new Americans, were founding members of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church in Canton. Together they raised nine children – five sons and four daughters – who went on to successful careers as entrepreneurs and educators. Four of Bea’s brothers served their country during World War II: three overseas and one stateside helping build F4U fighter planes.

Bea was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James W. McPherson, Jr. (“Bill”), the love of her life; her parents, Moses and Selma Shaheen; sisters Anna M. Shaheen, Nellie Joseph, and Tess Azar; and brothers Charles, David, John, and Richard Shaheen.

She is survived by her son, James W. McPherson III of Phoenix, Arizona; daughters Marena L. McPherson of Chicago, Illinois, and Cheryl M. Loden of Glen Allen, Virginia, and her husband Carl; and her brother Robert A. Shaheen of Boynton Beach, Florida, and his spouse Patricia. She is also survived by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Cory McPherson-Jones and her husband Michael Kalosky and stepdaughter Keira Lynn; Kevin Loden and spouse Kathy, and their children Simon Allen, Ellen Bea, and Claire Marie; Brian Loden and spouse Brennan and sons Elliot Gene and Oliver George; Randy Loden and spouse Evanne, and their children Reid Armour and Greer Annabelle; and Igor Jekauc and spouse Kelly and daughters Karolina and Sara. She is also survived by thirteen nieces and nephews.

Bea graduated from McKinley High School in 1939 and received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Kent State University in 1943. She later pursued additional coursework at George Washington University, The Ohio State University, and the University of Southern California.

During World War II, Bea served as an Army Map Service (AMS) mapmaker in Washington, D.C., producing hand-drawn maps used during the Battle of the Bulge, the Normandy campaign, and other operations throughout Europe. She traveled to New York under military orders to deliver maps and recruit Kent State women for wartime service at AMS, and she later organized AMS reunions. Following the war, she worked as a Classification Analyst for the Department of the Army in Los Angeles.

Bea taught elementary school in Washington, D.C., Canton, and Hartville before joining her husband’s law practice, where she served as a paralegal from 1956 until 1991.Her wartime service received increasing national recognition later in life. She participated in World War II panels at the Hoover Historical Center and the National First Ladies Library in Canton. In January 2014, she was interviewed at the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) by Director Letitia Long regarding her military mapmaking service. In October 2016, she represented one of 224 military mapmakers honored on the NGA Wall of Honor by Director Robert Cardillo and was named an honorary member of the NGA Alumni Association. U.S. Representative Bob Gibbs issued a proclamation entered into the Congressional Record recognizing her service. Bea’s story was featured in NGA Pathfinders magazine, Kent State Magazine’s article and video “On the Map,” an AccuWeather feature, Judith Tyner’s book Women in American Cartography, and David Yarnold’s The Geography of Hope.

A devoted Kent State alumna, Bea served as president, vice president, and board member of the university’s Chestnut Society; was a member of the President’s Council and William S. Kent Council; a charter member of the Kent State University Fashion Museum; and a board member of Director’s Choice (formerly Platinum Circle) of the museum’s Friends of Fashion. In 2024, she received Kent State University’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

Her civic involvement included service as president of the Stark County Lawyers’ Wives; chair of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Style Show in 1963 and co-chair in 1965; board member of the College Club of Canton and the Congress Lake Garden Club; and participation in the Congress Lake Club golf and tennis associations. She enjoyed art and sculpting classes at the Canton Art Institute and actively supported community campaigns for the American Heart Association, American Red Cross, and United Way. She also supported The Benjamin Rose Institute and funded scholarships for Kent State’s Fashion School and Lake High School students. Bea was featured in the book Stark’s Famous.

At the time of her passing, she was the oldest member of her church, its Ladies Auxiliary, and her denomination's Order of St. Ignatius. She also attended Hartville United Church of Christ and Marlboro Christian Church.

More of Bea’s life story and photographs may be found at her website:https://beasmcpherson.wordpress.com/

The family will receive relatives and friends from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET, followed by a funeral service from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. on April 24, 2026, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 1118 Cherry Ave. NE, Canton, Ohio, with the Very Rev. Fr. Michael Corbin officiating. Interment for the family will follow at Marlboro Cemetery. The service will be viewable on the Facebook and YouTube pages of St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church of Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St. George Building Fund, 1118 Cherry Ave. NE, Canton, OH 44704; Kent State University Foundation/Museum, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242; or The Benjamin Rose Institute, 11900 Fairhill Road, Cleveland, OH 44120.

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