Shaminette Shalhoob Keegan
In Loving Memory of Shaminette Shalhoob-Keegan With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Shaminette Shalhoob Keegan, lovingly known as Shami, who left us peacefully on April 29, 2025.
Born on April 7, 1961, in Santa Barbara, Shami attended El Camino Elementary School. The Shalhoob family relocated to Santa Ynez in 1970, at which time Shami attended Santa Ynez Elementary and graduated from Santa Ynez High School in 1979.
Growing up, Shami was active in 4-H, where she raised sheep and showed horses, developing a lifelong love for animals. She was a fierce competitor in her youth, participating in gymnastics, cheerleading, basketball, and softball. Many of her old teammates and friends recall her enthusiasm, energy, and dedication to whatever sport she was playing. Shami was the kind of person who inspired others to push harder, smile bigger, and give their best in every game and performance. Her smile, laughter, generosity, and tireless spirit were contagious.
Shami worked at many restaurants in the Santa Ynez Valley over the years, forming lasting friendships and fond memories. Among her favorite times were her years at Zaca Creek Restaurant and Shalhoob’s Restaurant during the early to mid-1980s. She often spoke fondly of those days, filled with hard work, laughter, and a deep connection to the Santa Ynez Valley community she so loved.
After marrying Brett on January 18, 1992, they bought a home and raised their family in Atascadero. She was a proud mom, volunteering in her sons’ elementary school classrooms, baseball fields and travel baseball for many years. Shami also worked for some time at Costa Rica Connections and loved to travel with family and friends.
Shami is survived by her husband of 33 years, Brett Keegan, her sons Chance (25) and Zain (21), her mother Geraldine Shalhoob, and her father Bill Shalhoob (Janet), sister Kourey Cotton (Bill ), and brothers Nick Shalhoob (Rachel) and Greg Shalhoob (Elena), nieces Evin Tayefeh (Michael), Jordan Politis (Zohn) Shannon Bailey (Nick), and Sydney Shalhoob, nephews Louie Shalhoob and Marco Shalhoob, as well as Shami’s lifelong dear friends, Mary Jacobsen Place (Robert), all who will miss her dearly.
A Celebration of Shami’s life will be held on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 1:00 pm Hans Christian Andersen Park (Area A). Please RSVP to shamijune72025@gmail.com. In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your local 4-H Chapter, Woods Humane Society in Atascadero or SLO County Animal Services.
