Pierina Shaheen

Pierina Barbaglia Shaheen died on Friday, July 4, 2014. She was 92. She is survived by her husband of 63 years Shaheen, and her sons and daughters-in-law, John and Angela Shaheen, and David and Linda Shaheen; her grandchildren Maria Shaheen, Mark Shaheen, Lauren Koch, her husband Micah Koch; Alexandra Shaheen, and John Shaheen II, and her great grandchildren Chealsea Shaheen, Marcus Shaheen, Eilir Koch and Ayres Koch.
Piera, as she was lovingly known, was born in Mystic, Iowa, to Marco and Teresa Barbaglia, who immigrated to the United States from northern Italy. When Piera was two years old, her family returned to northern Italy where she raised with her siblings.
During World War II, because of her American citizenship, Piera was targeted by the Fascist and Nazi Armies to be placed in a concentration camp. Thankfully, she was enlisted by the head of the Italian Underground forces. She kept the financial records and history of the underground. Her code name was Miett.
After World War II, Piera returned to the United States where she attended the University of Iowa to study to be a medical technician. Piera moved to Chicago to attend Northwestern University to complete her studies. In 1951, while living in Evanston, Illinois, she met and married Shaheen Shaheen. Later that year, Piera and Shaheen moved to Dalton, Georgia, where they began a family.
Piera and Shaheen founded World Carpet Mills in February 1954. They were instrumental in formulating groundbreaking technology, design and distribution for the carpet industry. Piera focused her attention on the health and welfare of World Carpet’s employees and established a company credit union, profit sharing and retirement programs. Piera ensured that healthcare was provided for all of World’s employees. Piera and Shaheen established a college scholarship for employees’ children that, over the ensuing years, provided tuition for more than 2000 students.
Piera’s generous spirit was evident in her strong faith that led her to teach others about the Bible. Baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness on May 14, 1951, Piera and Shaheen traveled throughout north Georgia and middle Tennessee telling all they met about God’s Kingdom (Mathew 6:9, 10) and God’s promise of the resurrection to life in a paradise earth (John 5:28, 29). If Piera found someone who could not read, she would patiently teach them so they could read the Bible.
Piera loved being surrounded by her family, enjoyed cooking, adored animals and always maintained a beautiful garden. Her home was always filled with music and she would sing along with the Italian operas she would play. She traveled the world with her husband throughout her life.
Her presence will be deeply missed by her family and community. The family will receive friends at Love Funeral Home Monday July 7 from 5 to 7. A memorial service will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1817 Dug Gap Road, Dalton, GA 30720 Tuesday July 8 at 2pm.
Words of comfort may be sent to the family at www.lovefuneralhomega.com.
Love Funeral Home, 1402 N. Thornton Ave, Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.