Rania Shaheen, 27 of Cedar Rapids, died Friday, July 24 at the University Hospitals and Clinics from a lengthy illness.  Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 28 at St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church, 3650 Cottage Grove Avenue, S.E., Cedar Rapids, with Fr. Fred Shaheen presiding.  Burial will follow in St. George Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday at the church where there will be a 7 p.m. Trisagion service. Brosh Chapel in Cedar Rapids is in charge of arrangements.

Rania was born September 30, 1981 in Cedar Rapids, the daughter of Mounif and Houda Bechaalany Shaheen.  She graduated from Washington High School in 1999.  Among the things she enjoyed were swimming and spending time with her friends and family, especially her dog, Sweetie.

Rania is survived by her parents, two brothers Chris Shaheen of Cedar Rapids and Dorey (Amber) Shaheen of Fairfax, a grandmother Mariam Bechaalany of Lebanon, her aunts, uncles and their families in Canada, Lebanon and the United States: Nasr Shaheen, Akl Shaheen, Bishara Shaheen, Georges Shaheen, Mounifa Shaheen, Joseph Bechaalany, Georges Bechaalany, Elias Bechaalany, Boutros Bechaalany, Mikhael Bechaalany, Rosette Elias, Malakeh Yammine, Marta Khazza, Odette Mechaalany as well as many cousins including George and Salam Daoud and Elias Elias of Cedar Rapids, and a best friend John Burgett of Cedar Rapids.

Rania is preceded in death by her grandparents Fouad and Lutfiyeh Shaheen and Jamil Bechaalany and her uncle Nicola Shaheen.

Although Rania lived a young life here on earth, she fought a very courageous, lifelong battle with cystic fibrosis.  She had a beautiful spirit of joy that shone everywhere she went.  She endured a life journey beyond her years.  Rania was the light of her parents' lives, and her brothers adored her as well.  She will never be forgotten, and her absence is only physical.  Precious memories of Rania's loving ways, graceful nature, and vibrancy for life will fill her family's world for all eternity!

Memorials may be directed to St. George Orthodox Church.