Norma Yecies Shagrin

Norma Yecies Shagrin, 73, of Boca Raton Florida, formerly of Youngstown, Ohio and Maplewood, New Jersey lost her brave 7-year struggle against ovarian cancer on Sunday, June 1, 2008 at Boca Raton Community Hospital. She was born May 21, 1935 to Abram and Helen (Amper) Yecies in Maplewood, New Jersey. She married Joseph Shagrin Jr. on June 19, 1955, moving to Youngstown, Ohio where she made her home until permanently relocating to Florida in 2002. Mrs. Shagrin graduated from Columbia High School in 1953 and attended Berkeley Secretarial School before working in the offices of Burris of Essex County. Once married, she became the consummate corporate wife, entertaining her husbandâa�a��s clients with ease and grace. She also took her role of motherhood and homemaker very seriously, providing a loving and nourishing home for her children. In the late 1980s, she and her husband purchased the Country Casuals ladies wear store, formerly located in Liberty Plaza. As owner of the upscale boutique, she cherished her buying trips to New York City, where she exercised her love of shopping while connecting with many of her childhood friends. Mrs. Shagrin was a member of Congregation Rodef Sholom, Temple El Emeth Temple, Squaw Creek Country Club, Boca West Country Club, Tasterâa�a��s Guild International, Bâa�a��nai Bâa�a��rith International, and Hadassah. For more than 50 years, Mrs. Shagrin enjoyed playing Mah Jongg and Canasta in several weekly games with both her new and life-long friends. She loved collecting butterfly items, drinking fine wines, and practicing her superb cooking and baking skills. She and her husband traveled extensively throughout the world, making many new friends and adding to her eclectic collection of many fine things. No matter where she lived or traveled, her luminescent smile and contagious laughter left a lasting impression on everyone she met. Her lively spirit will live within everyone who knew her. Mrs. Shagrin was a devoted wife, dedicated mother and adoring grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joseph, a sister, Leah Hantman, and her special love, Hal Godshaw. Loving memories will be forever cherished by her son, Steven (Karen) Shagrin of Walnut Creek, CA; daughters, Jodie (Craig) Kavensky of Rock Island, IL, and Kim (Mark) Buckley of Youngstown, OH; her grandchildren, Jennifer Shagrin of Santa Monica, CA, Allison Shagrin of Walnut Creek, CA, Joel Buckley of Columbus, OH, Adrienne Buckley of Youngstown, OH, and Elisse and Mia Rose Kavensky of Rock Island, IL. She will be remembered for her valiant fight as a cancer survivor and served as a valiant inspiration for all those waging a battle against cancer. The family would like to thank Dr. Randall Oyer of Lancaster, PA, the Lynn Cancer Center of Boca Raton, David Berger, and Karen Ross for their compassion and care throughout her fight. Services will be held at noon, Friday, June 6 at Congregation Rodef Sholom with calling hours one hour prior to the service. Contributions may be made to the NormaLeah Fund in care of Congregation Rodef Sholom, 1119 Elm Street, Youngstown, Ohio, 44505. The NormaLeah Fund is being started to promote awareness, early detection and research for ovarian cancer, a silent killer of women. Arrangements are being handled by Babione Funeral Home (Boca Raton) and Becker Funeral Homes. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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