SHERBURNE – Jennie A. Shaheen, 94, of School St., passed away peacefully following a brief illness on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011.
She was born on Jan. 8, 1917 in Utica, the eldest daughter of Habib and Sadie Shaheen, who recently emigrated from Lebanon. Following her graduation from the 8th grade, Jennie began her long career in business by working along side her father in his grocery store at 811 Mohawk St. in Utica. On May 11, 1942, Jennie was united in marriage to Joseph A. Shaheen in Utica. For most of their married life, Joe and Jennie lived in Sherburne where they owned and operated Shaheen’s Supermarket until they sold it to the Grand Union in 1964. In 1957, they purchased a local liquor store which became Shaheen’s Discount Liquors. Following the death of her beloved Joe in 1995, Jennie successfully operated the liquor store for 15 years. She was a devoted and loving wife and mother as well as a dedicated and industrious business woman. She loved going to work every day because her customers meant the world to her. She greeted each one with her infectious smile and never failed to wish them well.
Jennie was a communicant of St. Malachy’s Church in Sherburne and a member of the Altar and Rosary Society.
Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Joseph J. and Carol Shaheen of New York City; sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary and Tom Maroun of Pittsfield, Mass.; Agnes and Charlie Lewis of Clinton, and Tony Ferris of New Hartford; brothers and sister-in-law, Dr. A.L. and Ruth Shaheen of New Hartford and Dr. George Shaheen of Fayetteville; as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sisters, Victoria Shaheen, Catherine Shaheen and Helen Shaheen Ferris.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday from St. Malachy’s Church, East State St., Sherburne.
Interment in Calvary Cemetery, Utica, will be at the convenience of her family.
Friends are invited to call at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 S. Main St., Sherburne from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Friday. The rosary will be recited at 1:4.
Jennie’s family wishes to thank the wonderful staff of the Norwich Rehabilitation and Nursing Center (Gilmour Healthcare Facility) in Norwich for their loving and compassionate care.
Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Malachy’s Church.
Her family requests that there be no floral expressions of sympathy.
To send a condolence or sign the Book of Memories online, go to www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com.