Barbara Shayeb-Helou

Barbara Shayeb-Helou was born August 21, 1943, in Winthrop, Massachusetts and passed away on November 10, 2025 in Greenville. She was loved by many.
Barbara was predeceased by her wonderful parents, John Victor Shayeb and Barbara Hope Harding Shayeb, of Revere, Massachusetts, her brother John Victor Shayeb, Jr. and her precious infant granddaughter Mera Barbara Bouharoun.
A graduate of Revere High School, Barbara received her Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Suffolk University in Boston, Massachusetts, and her Master's degree in Communications from Northeastern University in Boston.
As a child, Barbara suffered from rheumatic fever. After being bedridden for almost a year, she took up ice-skating, per a doctor's recommendation, and made great strides in healing. Barbara became devoted to the sport and competed on both an amateur and professional level. She was a member of the North Shore Skating Club and passionately watched the Winter Olympics Skating competitions and Skating World Championships for decades. Until the end of her life, she still kept her various pairs of custom-made skates in her closet.
Barbara began her career as a sales representative for two different international airlines. She then transitioned to working in academic and career counseling in addition to development at multiple nonprofits in the Tampa Bay area.
Through her roles at both TAP and Olympic Airlines she traveled the world and shared that love with her parents and daughter. By 1979, she had traveled to Lebanon, Egypt, Kenya, Iran, Russia, Poland, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan to name just a few places. Barbara's suitcase was always ready to go, and she loved adventure from the Souks of Marrakesh to Red Square in Moscow.
In her career counseling positions in Tampa Bay, she played an active role in encouraging people to find the right position and to do better than they ever imagined possible. She never gave up on her students and remained friends with many. To help improve their confidence and public speaking she even founded a Toastmasters Club for the residents of one of the non-profits. She served as a Board member for Town & Country Hospital and past Chair of the University Area Business Association.
Barbara was passionate about many issues and took time to write letters to the editor throughout her life. Some of these appeared in the Boston Globe, Time Magazine, the Christian Science Monitor, the Tampa Tribune and the St. Petersburg Times. She felt it very important to call out biased reporting, especially on the subject of discrimination against Arab-Americans. Additionally, she was most proud about Rotary International's Polio Plus program and wrote about it often in her letters to the editor.
Barbara never met a stranger and would readily hand out her Past District Governor, District 6890, Rotary International business cards to anyone... whether they asked for it or not. Rotary International service was her mission and passion especially in her later years. She attended fourteen Rotary International conferences including those held in Korea, Thailand, Singapore and Argentina to name a few. She cherished her time in Rotary and the many friends she made.
Barbara was a lifelong Episcopalian, and she enjoyed serving her church community at Christ Church Episcopal through volunteer roles as a lay reader and chalice bearer. She also found much joy in the time she worked at Episcopal Migration Ministries in St. Petersburg helping refugee families relocate to the St. Petersburg/ Tampa Bay community. She was very active in Cursillo, especially when she lived in Tampa Bay.
One of Barbara's proudest accomplishments was raising her daughter, Danielle Marie Bouharoun (Daoud). Barbara ensured she had the opportunities and experiences for world travel, superior private education and elite tennis training. All of these fundamentals provided Danielle the tools to succeed in life. Barbara loved her grandson, Peter Shayeb Bouharoun, more than anything. He was such a bright light in her life, and she loved his visits in her final days. Barbara, Danielle and Shay spent many hours together over the years traveling, watching movies, and enjoying meals out.
She is survived by her beloved daughter, Danielle Marie Bouharoun (Daoud); her grandson, Peter Shayeb Bouharoun; and a first cousin, David F. Shayeb, in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Additional surviving family includes Dr. and Mrs. George Smith, the Shaheen, Agnew, Ramah and Geor families.
The family would like to thank the many friends, caregivers and extended family for their love and support.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made in Barbara's honor to Christ Church Episcopal, 10 N. Church Street, Greenville, SC 29601 or the charity of your choice.
Barbara will be missed by many, and the world is truly better as a result of her love and service. Memorial service details will follow soon.
Friends are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Barbara with the family by clicking on the button labeled "Share A Memory."