Betty Mae Shaheen, adoring wife, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend to many, went home to her Heavenly Father, surrounded by her daughter and grandsons, on May 5, 2024. Born in Canton, Ohio on March 24, 1928, Betty Mae was the youngest child of the late Massad and Hoson Georges. She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 64 years, Charles Eassa Shaheen, Sr., her precious son, Charles E. Shaheen, Jr., sisters, Alice Long, and Jeanette Martin, brothers, William S., and Carl Georges, as well as the heartbreaking loss of her recently departed son-in-law, Michael Demchak.

A lifelong and active member of the St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, Betty taught Sunday School and shared her special talent and love of cooking Middle Eastern food at monthly dinner fundraisers. She was also a member and officer of the Ladies of St. George, the Phoenician Auxiliary and Alpha Tau Epsilon.

A graduate of McKinley High School, Betty also attended Kent State University and became a grade school English and grammar teacher. In 1949, she married the love of her life, Charles E. Shaheen and together they owned and operated Shaheen Oriental Rugs and Import store in Canton.

Betty defined her life by the love of her family around her. As the matriarch of her close-knit family, her grandsons provided the source of her greatest happiness. She was fully committed to being there for every school event and sporting activity.

Always taking special care of her appearance, Betty was a classy dresser and is most likely wearing a glamorous dress and her trademark red lipstick in Heaven. To say she will be missed doesn't nearly do justice to our loss.

Betty is survived by her loving daughter, Zana Demchak. The two of them had a special mother-daughter bond, with Betty serving as her Matron of Honor, life-long best friend, and loving confident. She is also survived by her adored grandsons, David and Chuck Demchak of Sarasota, Florida, and sisters-in-law Peggy Shaheen of Canton and Karen Shaheen of Columbus, Ohio. She will also be missed by special cousins Bea McPhearson, who engaged in daily evening Face-Time chats with her and Robert Andrew Shaheen, who frequently serenaded Betty with "A Bushel and a Peck" on his many phone calls.

A special thank you to her nephew, Dr. Louis Shaheen, for all his compassion and loving care he gave to his dear Aunt Betty. We also extend our sincere gratitude to all the caregivers that looked after her in our home. They loved her and adored her stories; they will always hold a special place in our hearts.

Family and friends will be received at the Rossi Family Funeral Home on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 from 6 to 8 p.m. Trisagion services to begin at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, 11:00 am, at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, with Rev. Fr. Michael Corbin and Fr. Basil Shaheen officiating, with visitation one hour prior in the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in her name to St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church.

"When she shall die, take her and cut her out in little stars; and she will make the face of Heaven so fine that all the world will be in love with night."

ROSSI (330) 492-5830

www.rossifuneralhomeinc.com