Therese Y. Shain

Therese Y. Shahin (nee Azouri), age 78 of Oakland, died on Monday, May 15, 2023. She lived in Oakland for more than forty years.

Therese was born in Cairo, Egypt and after finishing school, she began teaching French in an elementary school. It was here that she met Joseph Shahin of Jordan, who was in Cairo to visit family. It wasn’t long before they married, moved to Jordan and started a family. They remained in Jordan for only a few years before the civil unrest there motivated them to seek a better life in America.  They packed up and moved to Los Angeles in 1971. Therese had two little girls at the time and moving her family halfway around the world was no easy feat, but she knew that a better life awaited them all. They lived briefly in Los Angeles before finally settling in northern New Jersey. Hard work paid off and the family eventually owned two gas stations, and they both worked tirelessly to make them a success. She was a hands-on owner; pumping gas and changing tires on any given day, then going home to take care of the kids. 

Therese was a truly lovable person who was sincerely devoted to her family. She was everything a mother should be; loving, hardworking, and dedicated to her children.  Her grandchildren, who affectionately call her “Tatti,” all adore her and each of them will miss her dearly. Whether she was cooking for her family, playing “Left, Right, Center” with her grandkids, she was always there to make everyone happy. She was very easy to talk to and put everyone at ease.  She always remained very close to her relatives living in California, speaking to them daily (and sometimes more than once a day!). Her brother Antoine and sister Mary in California, as well as all of her nieces and nephews spread out far and wide, will all miss their beloved Zuza. 

Therese is survived by three daughters; Jeannette Saporito and her husband Richard of Oakland, NJ, Norma DiIanni and her husband Angelo of Wayne, NJ, and Rosemary Morgan and her husband David of Maywood, NJ, predeceased by her daughter, Suzanne "Suzie" Shahin; four grandchildren: Julia and A.J. DiIanni of Wayne, and Olivia and Abby Morgan of Maywood, a sister; Mary Azouri of Los Angeles, and two brothers: Tony and Farid Azouri, both of Los Angeles, as well as countless nieces and nephews. She was also predeceased by her brother, Alex Azouri.

Therese loved the color Red. For those inclined to send flowers, please use this as a consideration.