Brenda Rae Hafshejani (nee Starkey)

January 25, 1956 - September 30, 2021

Obituary For Brenda Rae Hafshejani (nee Starkey)

Mrs. Brenda Hafshejani, 65, of Raleigh, North Carolina peacefully passed away on September 30, 2021. She was the daughter of William Eugene Starkey and Ruth Anne Ayers Starkey. Brenda was born on January 25, 1956, in Clarksburg, West Virginia. She attended South Harrison High School and went on to graduate from West Virginia Tech as a chemical engineer.

She was united in matrimony to Jamshid Hafshejani on November 30, 1978. This union of 43 years was blessed with four children and five grandchildren.

Brenda was an intelligent and hard-working mother. She was proud of her 20 plus years at the State of North Carolina. Although, she was best known and treasured for her love for her family, her friends, and her entire community. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, cooking, baking, entertaining in her home, and watching Hallmark movies.

She was preceded in death by her father, William Eugene Starkey; mother, Ruth Anne Ayers Starkey; brother, William Eugene Starkey Jr.; and sister, Ginger Diane Satterfield.

Her life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children, Damon (Kera) Hafshejani of Raleigh, North Carolina; Jiran (Siamak) Hafshejani of Raleigh, North Carolina; Donya Hafshejani of Greensboro, North Carolina; and Daniel (Bridget) Hafshejani of Gastonia, North Carolina; one brother, Jeffrey Lynn Starkey of Strasburg, Virginia; and her grandchildren, Ariana, Cyrus, Freydoon, Blake and Roya; and a host of devoted in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Brenda was a strong woman, wife, mother and grandmother who inspired us all to be better people.

A Viewing and Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, from 11:00am to 12:45pm with a Funeral Service beginning at 1:00p.m.at Renaissance Funeral Home, 7615 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, NC 27615. Burial to follow immediately after at Historic Oakwood Cemetery.

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March 30, 2023

A. Afshar

I just have been informed that Brenda passed away, and I got very very sad and regret. She really was a great women. I knew her from Ahwaz, Iran, since she used to live in Mellirah, in the house next to us. His brother in law, Jahanshah, was my friend and also I knew her husband's family. I still remember, Daniel and Donya, which used to play in the Mitra Street and Brenda used to force them to get back in the house. Good bless her soul and she nay rest in peace. A. Afshar Iran
October 05, 2021

Janene Childs

My heart is torn by the loss of Brenda. I had the pleasure of getting to know and learn from this awesome professional woman, wife, friend, mother and grandmother for nine years! Brenda's love and commitment to her family extended to her work family as well. I will cherish and remember the relationship we built. I've never met a more loving and caring person in my life, Brenda brought joy to others remembering birthdays, offering her shoulder on tough days and moments of loss, making delicious treats for us and hand crafting blankets and hats for us. I would jokingly tell Brenda that she was the real Martha Stewart. Brenda always offered truth with kind and encouraging words of wisdom and sometimes that hard shove needed to get moving. To the family, your Wife, Mother and Grandmother, shared her love for all of you and know that her pride and joy of you all was always written in all her actions and deeds. Blessings to you all, and thank you for sharing Brenda with me, her friendship and love made her part of my family too. May Brenda's sprint rest in heavenly power, that she's welcomed by a host of family and loved ones on her journey. I will miss her and pray for you all for God to be with you and that you feel his love to surround you in the days ahead. May God's blessings abound all around you!
October 05, 2021

Shannon Johnson

My condolences to the Hafshejani family. Ms. Brenda played a role in my permanent hire in the RRO- and I will always be appreciative for her acts of kindness. She will be missed for her warm personality in the office, and her thoughtful gifts she shared with my family. I remember when she made my daughter a beautifully knitted, purple toboggan that she still uses. Much love, Shannon Johnson
October 04, 2021

Karen Harmon

Not only was Brenda a highly-regarded, knowledgeable engineer and scientist, she was a cheerful, straight-forward, generous colleague and friend. Although it was clear that her family was her great love, her children and grandchildren bringing her joy, she also gave much of herself to her community at work. A memory that I treasure is of the wonderful but technically-demanding caramel cake that she made for my birthday celebration at work one November. Brenda was busy at home, over-worked at the office, but she spent a long evening baking that cake and stirring frosting just to make my day special. Brenda was that kind of person. Karen Harmon
October 04, 2021

Shelby Rogers

Brenda's family, My prayers and thoughts are with you at this time. Brenda was a kind and friendly person, and she will be missed. Shelby Rogers
October 04, 2021

John F. Maloy

• The news of Brenda's passing has been very saddened to ones who knew her. I feel very honored to have been her friend and deeply saddened at the news. Brenda has been a fellow coworker of mine for many years and I have found her to be very witty and an excellent cook. An interest she and I both shared. She will be sorely missed. My condolences to her family in this time of shock and grief. May her soul rest in peace and light forever. Wishing her family peace and comfort. John and Caren
October 04, 2021

Shashi Bhatta

I am very saddened by the news of Brenda's passing. Brenda and I started working at the Raleigh Regional Office, Public Water Supply Section on the same day in the beginning of 2003. She was a great friend. She was so caring and loving to everyone. Brenda loved her family and was so proud to talk about all the kids and grandkids, and husband Jamshid too. My thoughts are prayers are with the Hafshejani family (Jamshid, Damon, Jairan, Donya and Daniel). I will miss you Brenda! Rest in peace my friend! --Shashi Bhatta
October 04, 2021

Cheryl Richardson

Ms. Brenda will be missed. Our office (RRO) will not be the same. My prayers are with you, Cheryl Richardson
October 04, 2021

Sherrie Smitley

The neighbors will truly miss Brenda, she was always kind and friendly. I remember she came over when I lost my mom and offered her condolences and if I recall correctly some great lasagna. We are truly sorry for your loss, she will not be forgotten. Prayers, Sherrie & Zane Smitley
October 04, 2021

Allen Hardy

It is with great sorrow that I hear of Brenda's passing. I remember the day I interviewed and ultimately hired her for a job in the Public Water Supply Section. She had such a warm spirit and I could tell she was going to be a devoted employee. At the time I didn't know she had such a big family and over the years I got to know several of her children. The love for her family was evident. Over the next several years we spent hours talking about our families. Her love for her family spilled over at work and we had many laughs sharing their life experiences. God Bless you Brenda. My thoughts and prayers go out to your family. Allen Hardy
October 03, 2021

Bob and Georganna Starkey

To Brenda's family, We are so sorry for your loss. It has been a few years now since we have seen any of you, but our thoughts and prayers are certainly with all of you now. Take care and God Bless. Bob and Georganna Starkey
October 03, 2021

Quontanette Patterson

Jirri, I'm so sorry for the loss of your mother, I will continue to pray for you and your family in the days to come, may you all find peace as she has resting in the arms of the father.
October 02, 2021

mary riley

RIP Brenda, you will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of her family. Much love, Bob and Mary Riley