Shahin Vafai McKinnie

Shahin was born in Mashad Iran. She had an older sister who passed away when she was a baby and a younger brother named Hooshang who passed away about 16 years ago in Vancouver B.C. Her mother was educated and worked in an office. At the time it was not common for women in Iran to work outside of house. Her father was a kind gentleman much beloved in the family, who referred to him as Good Uncle, “daee khoob”.

Shahin graduated from University in Iran and worked for Persian TV. She received a scholarship to continue her education in Michigan University and obtained a Master’s in Education. Shahin left Iran during the Islamic revolution and moved to the Seattle area where her brother’s family lived. She was very adventurous and in Michigan as a student undertook many road trips. She did the same when she was in Iran. She enjoyed driving and exploring new places.

Shahin was always willing and happy to help anyone and everyone. It did not matter if she knew them or they were strangers. Anything that she could do to take the burden off someone else she was there and ready to help. She would give you advice whether you asked for it or not.

In pursuit of the Baha’i concept of an auxiliary language to foster communication, Shahin was a lifelong Esperantist. She was uniquely fluent and active in efforts to further Esperanto in both Iran and the United States.

In her last twenty years of her life she was able to combine her passion for travel and helping people as an interpreter for immigrants from Iran or Afghanistan. She was very passionate about this job- it was her calling. People that she assisted as clients became her friends and they knew they could count on her for any assistance that she could provide.

Shahin and her late husband John were responsible for raising their two sons Maxwell and Ricky. Of course, we can’t forget about Neo the puppy.

It would be impossible to miss Shahin at any gathering. She was the light of the event with her positive attitude. Some of the family members consider her the glue that held all of the members of her extended family who are spread out all over the world.

Shahin was involved in numerous activities whether it was for the Baha’i faith or her Persian heritage. She never considered slowing down in her activities. She lived her life to the fullest until its untimely conclusion, but rest assured the number of people she affected positively would be impossible to determine.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-FH.com for the McKinnie family.

__________________________________

Bestow upon Thy heavenly handmaiden,

O God, the holy fragrances

born of the spirit of Thy forgiveness.

Cause her to dwell in a blissful abode, 

heal her griefs with the balm of Thy reunion,

and, in accordance with Thy will,

grant her admission to Thy holy Paradise.

Let the angels of Thy loving-kindness

descend successively upon her,

and shelter her beneath Thy blessed Tree.

Thou art, verily, the Ever-Forgiving, 

the Most Generous, the All-Bountiful.