Harlene A. Shah

Harlene Ann Shah, age 78, of Strongsville, Ohio passed away peacefully on September 13th after an almost two-year battle with cancer.

She was born on June 9, 1943, in Newark, New Jersey, the only child of the Late Edward and Ruth Berman. She earned a college degree in early childhood education and taught 3rd grade before staying home to raise her children.
Harlene married Ashok Shah on December 18th 1966. This December would have been their 55th wedding anniversary. She is survived by her husband, their children Aneil Shah (Cheryl) and Ami Sweeney (Don), and 6 grandchildren (Katie, Julie, Michael, Jaden, Matthew and Sean).

Harlene loved her family very much. She also loved the Bible and was a devout Christian that was very strong in her faith. She held weekly bible studies at her home for years and read the bible cover to cover many times. She loved to travel. She and Ashok visited almost all 50 states and many countries as well. Harlene also had a love for learning that lasted her entire life. She loved to read, watch the news and learn something new all the time. Even in her seventies, when she played the word game Ruzzle, she would look up any words she didn’t know the definition to. She loved flowers and gardening and she and Ashok kept their yard beautiful with many different types of flowers and plants. She had a love for animals and nature as well. She especially fell in love with two feral cats (Pumpkin and Mom Cat) that showed up in her backyard and eventually became her pets. They were and still are so well loved!

A celebration of life will be held for family and close friends at a later date.