E-mails from Friends and Family
> comments = I just want to let the family know that you
all will be in my prayers.
> I want to let you know that Mariana was the best,
caring, wholeheartly loving and most of irreplaceable
lady, She was my daughter's elementary teacher and
then she has been with her all through highschool..She
gave all to the kids of LCHS special needs. She never
gave up on them and she fought for what was right,
She was high spirited and a fighter...
> I had a meeting last week at the school. we finished
the meeting and she told me about her wonderful
husband and some funny stories about her children,
dont ever let go of the memories for they will keep you
smiling on days that it seems impossible. God bless
you guys and may he walk beside you.
> Thanks for all the hard work and never giving up on
our kids Mariana, I guess God had some special ones
that needed you more in heaven.
> Gabby's mom,
> Jeania Dillon
>
> email = lifesavermom0306@aol.com
> comments = Words can't explain how
much Mrs. Spahija meant to our family.
The impact she had on Jeannie
Weese's life was amazing. Thanks to
the love and care Mrs. Spahija poured
into Jeannie changed her life. When
Jeannie came to Mrs. Spahija's class
you could not understand her, now she
can talk and be understood so much
better, Jen can do so many things that
before she met Mrs. Spahija she could
not do, We are so thankful Mrs.Spahija
was Jeannie's teacher, she will be
greatly missed, but always
remembered.
> The Weese Family
>
> comments = I just had to write to
express my sadness about your loss of
Mariana.
>
> I realize from personal experience
what pain you are in right now but just
know that many people are praying for
you and when you feel you can't carry
yourself through this time of incredible
sadness; the intercessory prayers of
others will be there to lift you up.
>
> I will be praying constantly that God
will supply you with the mercy,
strength, and peace that you need
during this difficult time.
> Sincerely,
> Kim
>
> comments = We just had to write to express our
sadness about the loss of your loved one.
> My husband, Joseph Morgan, worked w/ Donika
and when we would go there to eat she never failed
to have a kind word or a smile for us.
>
> We realize from personal experience what pain
you are in right now, but just know that many people
are praying for you and when you feel you can't
carry yourself through this time of incredible
sadness; the intercessory prayers of others will be
there to lift you up.
>
> We will be praying constantly that God will supply
you with the mercy, strength, and peace that you
need during this difficult time.
> Sincerely,
> Joseph, Kim, Lexie and Noah
>
Mrs. Mariana Spahija, 42
years old, died on Thursday May
19th 2011. She and close friend
Mrs. Donika Bardho died as a
result of a single auto accident.
Mrs. Spahija was born August 13th,
1968 in Patos, Albania. The
youngest of four children, Mariana’
s family valued the importance of
education. After earning a
Bachelor’s Degree in History and a
minor in Geography from the
University of Tirana, Albania in
1991, she taught high school for
one year. The following five years
she had the good fortune to teach
children with special needs.
She and her husband and young
children immigrated to Dahlonega
Georgia in 1998. She worked
tirelessly to establish her new life in
America, making many sacrifices
for the benefit of her family. Her
early years in America Mariana
worked as a housekeeper as well
as night shifts at Wal-Mart. At the
same time she attended North
Georgia College and State
University. In 2002 Mariana earned
a Masters Degree in Special
Education providing her the
opportunity to teach at Lumpkin
County Elementary School. In 2006
she earned a Specialist Degree in
Administration. At the time of her
death Mariana was concluding her
3rd year teaching at Lumpkin
County High School in the Special
Education department.
Of the countless things Mariana will
be remembered for, a few are her
unparalleled work ethic, ability to
easily make friends and establish
community with people from all
walks of life and her devotion to
family and friends. Her generous
spirit had no boundaries. She held
a strong belief in showing respect
to all persons and was an advocate
for people with special needs.
One of her proudest moments was
when she and her family became
US citizens in 2003.
She is survived by her husband of
21 years, Burhan; son, Saed,
daughter, Ada Spahija; niece,
Rosela Golloshi; brother, Todi
Golloshi, his wife Arta, nephews
Mateo and Klevi Golloshi; mother in
law, Mrs. Sabire Spahija all of
Dahlonega; Albanian community in
Dahlonega: Petraq Bardho, his
daughter, Erica Bardho and son,
Gerti Bardho; Ali Zajmi, wife Elvira
and sons Arlin and Almir Zajmi as
well as several others; family
residing in Albania: parents Josif
and Pipa Golloshi; Brother Dionis
Golloshi and family; sister,
Valentina Golloshi and family;
numerous cousins.
In her memory a fund for the
Special Education program at
Lumpkin County High School will be
established; in lieu of flowers
donations can be made to Lumpkin
County High School, noted on the
check for the Spahija/Bardho fund
and mailed to 2001 Indian Drive,
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533.
A funeral for Mariana Spahija and
Donika Bardho will be held at
Dahlonega United Methodist
Church, Thursday, May 26th at 4:
30 PM with interment afterward, at
Dahlonega Memorial Park
Cemetery. Banister Funeral Home
is handling the arrangements.
years old, died on Thursday May
19th 2011. She and close friend
Mrs. Donika Bardho died as a
result of a single auto accident.
Mrs. Spahija was born August 13th,
1968 in Patos, Albania. The
youngest of four children, Mariana’
s family valued the importance of
education. After earning a
Bachelor’s Degree in History and a
minor in Geography from the
University of Tirana, Albania in
1991, she taught high school for
one year. The following five years
she had the good fortune to teach
children with special needs.
She and her husband and young
children immigrated to Dahlonega
Georgia in 1998. She worked
tirelessly to establish her new life in
America, making many sacrifices
for the benefit of her family. Her
early years in America Mariana
worked as a housekeeper as well
as night shifts at Wal-Mart. At the
same time she attended North
Georgia College and State
University. In 2002 Mariana earned
a Masters Degree in Special
Education providing her the
opportunity to teach at Lumpkin
County Elementary School. In 2006
she earned a Specialist Degree in
Administration. At the time of her
death Mariana was concluding her
3rd year teaching at Lumpkin
County High School in the Special
Education department.
Of the countless things Mariana will
be remembered for, a few are her
unparalleled work ethic, ability to
easily make friends and establish
community with people from all
walks of life and her devotion to
family and friends. Her generous
spirit had no boundaries. She held
a strong belief in showing respect
to all persons and was an advocate
for people with special needs.
One of her proudest moments was
when she and her family became
US citizens in 2003.
She is survived by her husband of
21 years, Burhan; son, Saed,
daughter, Ada Spahija; niece,
Rosela Golloshi; brother, Todi
Golloshi, his wife Arta, nephews
Mateo and Klevi Golloshi; mother in
law, Mrs. Sabire Spahija all of
Dahlonega; Albanian community in
Dahlonega: Petraq Bardho, his
daughter, Erica Bardho and son,
Gerti Bardho; Ali Zajmi, wife Elvira
and sons Arlin and Almir Zajmi as
well as several others; family
residing in Albania: parents Josif
and Pipa Golloshi; Brother Dionis
Golloshi and family; sister,
Valentina Golloshi and family;
numerous cousins.
In her memory a fund for the
Special Education program at
Lumpkin County High School will be
established; in lieu of flowers
donations can be made to Lumpkin
County High School, noted on the
check for the Spahija/Bardho fund
and mailed to 2001 Indian Drive,
Dahlonega, Georgia 30533.
A funeral for Mariana Spahija and
Donika Bardho will be held at
Dahlonega United Methodist
Church, Thursday, May 26th at 4:
30 PM with interment afterward, at
Dahlonega Memorial Park
Cemetery. Banister Funeral Home
is handling the arrangements.
> comments = Burhan and family: this
world is a better place because of
Mariana. She will always be
remembered and loved by us and
many people. May God comfort you
and bring you peace in knowing that
she is with Him and that you two will be
together again one day. --Gary,
Stefani, Jacob, and Molly Sullivan
>
Mariana was such a kind person. I had
the pleasure of getting to know her at
ballet where our daughters are
students. I had helped her with the mini
camps there and she was always so
appreciative of the help and made
them such a success. The family will
be in our prayers. God bless each of
you.
> Kathy (and Sydney) Sanchez
>
the pleasure of getting to know her at
ballet where our daughters are
students. I had helped her with the mini
camps there and she was always so
appreciative of the help and made
them such a success. The family will
be in our prayers. God bless each of
you.
> Kathy (and Sydney) Sanchez
>
> Mariana was one of the most
delightful, dedicated teachers with
whom I worked while in Dahlonega! My
prayers are with your family and
friends.
>
> GBHuffman
> Perdido Key, Florida
>
>
Mrs. Mariana will be sorely missed by
many people. It was a pleasure getting
to know her. Our prayers are with the
family and we are only a phone call
away if you need anything. God Bless
You All. Gooch Family
>
>
many people. It was a pleasure getting
to know her. Our prayers are with the
family and we are only a phone call
away if you need anything. God Bless
You All. Gooch Family
>
>
> email = klarabraco@verizon.net
> comments = To the family of
Mariana Spahija . You were our
inspiration and I am so proud that I am
a Golloshi like you ! You kept us going
when we just moved here and your
sweet words were the best medication
for us . Hope you are in a better place
, Mariana . You will live through the
lives of Saed and Ada that you love
soo much . Klara Golloshi Braco
>