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Verla Farmanfarmaian Obituary

Verla Gean Farmanfarmaian
(née Miller)
April 1920 ~ April 2013
Our beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, teacher and 'Persian Princess' to so many of her friends and students, passed away peacefully on Friday April 26, at the age of 93. We miss her extraordinary passion for life, her unique gift with music, and her special ability to inspire in all those around her the joy of every minute lived.
Verla Gean was born in Smithfield, Utah to Raymond Miller and Clarice Stockdale Miller of the Miller Honey Company. The oldest of five, Verla Gean sold honey door-to-door during the Depression, and moved all around Utah, Idaho and California with her family as the Miller brothers experimented with the then revolutionary idea of trucking bees. This proved the catalyst of her life-long interest in unfamiliar communities and different ways of life. At each new home, her father would carry in her beloved upright piano himself, so she could practice every morning at dawn, developing her amazing skill at the keyboard and the deep love for music that became a hallmark of her life. Verla Gean attended East High in Salt Lake City, before earning a BA at the University of Utah. Throughout, she taught piano lessons to pay for her education, a harbinger of her lasting love for teaching.
Verla Gean's first job took her to Cedar City, where she taught 5th grade, making such an impression that many of her students kept in contact with her over the following 60 years. Eager to see more of the world, she then moved to New York City, becoming a governess for a Hungarian family - living on Fifth Avenue and travelling to Europe and the Middle East. In 1951 she began a Master's degree at Columbia University Teacher's College, majoring in music. It was there she met and later married Prince Manucher Farmanfarmaian, scion of an old Persian royal family. The Utah newspapers heralded the match with enthusiasm: 'Cinderella Story Comes True: Murray girl weds Prince'. The couple moved to Iran in 1952, where Verla Gean worked with the Red Cross, and played a Chopin piano concert at the Shah's court. She also learned to play bridge, a game that brought her joy and friendships throughout her life. In 1955, she returned briefly to Salt Lake for the birth of their daughter, Roxane.
In 1958, Manucher's work with Iranian Oil took them to The Hague, Holland, where Verla Gean became President of the American Women's Club, and later, head of the Girl Scouts, receiving a Lifetime Scout award for bringing together the Dutch, American and Indonesian Girl Scout Troops for the first time. When she and her husband separated, she returned to teaching, eventually becoming Principal of the American International Elementary School of The Hague. Verla Gean always had a book (or two) in hand and a pen in her purse, was always ready to strike up a song on the keyboard and encourage everyone to sing, was as game to play volleyball at recess as to add wow-power as the most elegant (and dramatic) model in the community fashion show, and to go the extra mile to carve out a place of safety for ethnically, racially, or religiously different children. Her motto was 'Say it with humor and play fair', which she'd pronounce with a twinkle, chatting with friends new or old, over a cup of hot coffee with lots of sugar and milk.
In 1973, when Roxane graduated from high school, Verla Gean returned to Utah after 20 years of international adventure. She obtained a Master's Degree in Education, Cum Laude, from the University of Utah and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa Society. In 1978, she joined Wasatch Elementary as a 5th grade teacher, where she remained until her retirement at 73-years-old. Besides earning the school an ornamental tree for best 5th grade science project in the state, Verla Gean was a Teacher of the Year finalist in 1990. In 2000, she was featured in the compendium on notable Utah women, 'Worth their Salt, Too'. A dedicated member of the Ladies Literary Club where she played the piano for 20 years, she received the Salt Lake District Clubwoman of the Year Award in 2002.
In 1997, one of Verla Gean's most cherished dreams came true when her grandson, Kian Stevenson, was born.
A committed advocate of protecting and nurturing the earth, of listening to other's views, and most important, of encouraging creativity and love in our children, Verla Gean will be sorely missed for the wonderment she brought to life, her verve, her beauty and her grace.
A Memorial in her honor will be held June 5, 2013 at the Ladies Literary Club, from 4-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, friends who wish to make a donation in Verla Gean's name may contribute to the Legacy Music Alliance.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on May 2, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Verla Farmanfarmaian

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Robbie Jurado

March 21, 2025

Thank you, Mrs. Farman for redirecting my once rambunctious ways to enjoying learning. To which I practiced the rest of my life. You made a huge impact on teaching me focus. You will live on forever in my memory.

Suzanne Stensaas

April 26, 2022

How appropriate that tonight there is a dinner and speaker at the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations, the very group where i met Verla and where she faithfully came bringing guests to dinner. Always engaged in the world and always smiling.

Julianna Rigby

April 26, 2021

I can’t drive by a periwinkle colored home without thinking of Verla Gean...Yesterday, I must have seen over 3 shades of purple colored homes. (we were on a drive) Each time my thoughts were of Verla Gean and assumed the individual living in the home must be highly intelligent and enlightened. UNIQUE !!!! This Am there was a beautiful photo of Verla Gean on legacy! Sure hope the family all are well! Verla Gean is forever in our thoughts and hearts!

Julianna Rigby

April 26, 2020

Verla Gean's wisdom inspired my Daughter, to become a teacher, Teran teaches in a lovely school in Boulder Colorado. Teran had various degrees in religious studies, music and philosophy, yet never considered teaching as her choice of career. Inspiration to become a teacher mostly came from you! Teachers are truly Princesses! I met Verla Gean @ Diva's, we often shared a cup of tea or played cards! Diva's was such a lovely place to meet and share time! Verla Gean's eternal legacy and beauty is truly Divine! Greetings to her family and friends!

Julianna Rigby

April 29, 2019

Gean found me @ her wonderful Diva's restaurant. She was always welcoming and gracious. I have always loved the colors purple and periwinkle, Gean had a home painted in these colors. So unique and colorful, truly beautiful just like Gean! Always good wishes to her family and friends.

Linda Lichty

September 28, 2013

Roxanne, I just learned today about your precious Mom. I'm SO sorry and pray that God will comfort your heart. It was in Holland where we met you all and your Mom's kindness to my Mom will never be forgotten. She took excellent care of my Mom when she broke her foot. Being new in Holland and not knowing anyone was hard ... but your Mom made sure that my Mom was well taken care of both physically and emotionally. What a precious lady she was. Thank you for sharing her with us & si many others. My prayers are with you. Much Love, Linda

July 31, 2013

What a wonderful person to have known. It is July 30 and I just learned of her passing. I was a student of hers at Wasatch Elementary from the 1970's. A few things stick out in my mind besides her strange, ethnic embroidered shoes/slippers that were pointed. To a 5th grader they were odd but I didn't know how special they must have been to her. I remember her soft voice and the twinkle in her eye when she taught. it was with her that our Music lessons came alive. I first leaned what a balalaika was as well as a madalin. I would not have ever come across those two things in my lifetime and really appreciate her passion for teaching and for music. She will be missed.

Matthew Kidd

June 12, 2013

What a life! People have said so much already, so I'll just add a few vignettes.

Gean loved being with her friends but she was also comfortable alone. I ran into her a few times by herself. She usually had a book or was just peacefully watching the world go by.

She always liked to carry a few special items to share: photos, letters, newspaper articles, books, small works of art, and so forth. In this increasingly digital age, Gean was the last person I regularly had photos printed for, a tradition I shall miss. After a few weeks I could be sure all my friends in Salt Lake had seen my photos as Gean went from place to place.

I met many interesting people in Salt Lake because I stopped in Big Ed's when someone told me people were playing bridge there. C.O. had started the game, inspired by Gean's enjoyment of the bridge. Gean loved staying up late with friends playing rubber bridge and enjoyed the snacks and moderate drinking and smoking that are part of old school party bridge.

Gean was very kind to my friend Rick, putting him up for months at a time during tough periods for him or between his travels. She owned piano which Rick enjoyed immensely.

It always seemed very grounding that although Gean had seen the world, she had chosen to return to Utah. She made the most of the local art and culture and always had a cultural activity or book to recommend to her friends. In turn Gean made Salt Lake more cultural by returning home.

Salt Lake will never be the same without Gean. It is like Bill of Bill and Nada's or Ruth of Ruth's Diner passing away. But I was fortunate enough to be friends with Gean.

Pamela Caputo-Noetling

June 7, 2013

The first time I saw Gene sitting in my restaurant, I thought, now here's a woman who has walked amongst kings. One evening I sat down to chat with her only to find out that she truly did. She was 73 then and to date I've never met a more amazing woman, so full of energy and life. She touched so many of us and with her stories took us all on a wonderful journey. We've lost a true treasure and I will miss her greatly. My condolences to the family, and mostly to Roxanne, you were the light of her life.

Fahimeh Amiri

May 21, 2013

She was the most precious person I've ever met, every time I saw her I learned more and more about her wonderful depth of character. Even now I feel there was more left to be discovered, it seemed as though there was no end to her loving energy. I miss her so much -- I will always and still do feel fortunate that she was a part of my life until the night before her passing.

Suzanne Stensaas

May 16, 2013

I met Verla Gean over 25 years ago at the Salt Lake Committee on Foreign Relations. A bit different from Big Eds. She was so enthusiastic about life and wanted to know all about the world around her. She had retired but always brought a guest who was almost always a student or teacher. I most appreciate that she brought Roxane to the group to continue her legacy of curiosity and interest in Iran. She will be missed at our monthly gatherings. My condolences to her daughter and grandson. I share a photo of her with her daughter, Roxane.

Lloyd Miller

May 15, 2013

We are saddened at the passing our beautiful friend, you will be dearly missed but forever held in our hearts. The mention of your name brings an immediate smile. With our love and dedication to Persian culture, we have been pleased to offer music and dance at many events by Verla Gean's invitation and received by her so graciously. Love is what you gave and love is what you leave. Khoda Hafez Verla"jan". Dr. Lloyd Miller and Katherine St. John

Gean at her 90th birthday party

Matthew Kidd

May 13, 2013

May 11, 2013

To my divine friend, Verla Gean. You taught me and others with one of your favorite songs to wish upon the stars and dreams will come true. You will always be one of the brightest stars and remembered with much love!

Meghan Johnson

May 10, 2013

I will always remember Mrs. Farman! She was my favorite 5th grade teacher and still have fond memories of her piano playing, dancing on the desks in her beaded slipper shoes, giving us pennies for each metaphor and simile we found in our chapter books and more. I loved running into her around town over the past years and was amazed at how she never forgot a name or face. She truly was meant to be a teacher and did it elegantly, gracefully, and naturally. I will miss her.

Shahpar Ghodsi

May 9, 2013

Gene,
Your were the epitome of seniors whom everyone wished to be like in our maturity. We Iranians anywhere are so proud of you to have kept being loyal to a culture you understood, respected and cherished to the end. Keep smiling as you look upon us all. I miss you in any event I would attend. My condolences to your dear daughter.

Carol Smith

May 8, 2013

My thoughts go to the years Verla Gean and I taught together at Wasatch. She was in the front hall, in the morning, during the holidays, playing the piano for the early comers to sing. She is a dear friend, always had a smile and a happy greeting, and encouraged us to do a better job just by watching her interactions with the staff and the students. We loved her global approach to life and she stretched our thinking by sharing her views of the world with us. We will miss our dear friend and a great lady but we are better for having her in our lives.

Heather Thorpe

May 8, 2013

I will never forget your incredible smile, your ability to listen, your kind words and acceptance of all people. I worked at Big Eds and those days of bridge-which I could never figure out-made working such a delight. You will be missed. By the way, I was always amazed by your perfect hair.

Steven Baird

May 7, 2013

I will always remember her as the perfect example of kindness paired with wit. She was simply, a saint. The memory of her smiling at me, will always comfort my heart. She inspired me to be a better person to such a degree that it will never fade or leave me. I will always love and miss you Gean!

Kris "keifer" Thomas

May 6, 2013

I will forever miss my friend Mrs. Farman. She was as thrilled with learning as she was with sharing her wisdom. I won't ever forget our shared excitement when she took me to my first opera, her generosity when she hosted my bridal shower at her home, and the extreme patience she had as my bridge teacher and partner. She was an extraordinary lady possessing class, poise and generosity.

When I first met Mrs. Farman she would have been about 70 years old. Our friendship started where I worked as a waitress. She would put her hand on mine, sincerely look into my eyes and asked me how my day was first, before she placed her standard order of coffee and milk. The restaurant was Big Ed's, a small family-run cafe near the University of Utah and owned by the Lin family. Many people frequented Big Ed's on a daily basis. The daily group of regulars included students, ex-students, university employees, artists, free-thinkers, dissidents, grad students ...and then there was Gean. This diverse and sometimes rowdy environment could have perhaps caused many to clutch their wallets a little closer, but not Mrs. Farman. She was friendly and engaging, always ready to join the conversation or another game of bridge. She was my favorite regular.

I learned more about her through the years. I will forever be impressed by her great enthusiasm- that zest for life, the arts and the pursuit of knowledge. Mrs Farman was well educated, well traveled, and well read. She was beautiful, fun, kind, politically current, cultured, and the skill with which she managed that busy schedule of her's was pure genius! She attended every opera, exhibit, lecture, book discussion, bridge tournament, symphony & symposium that she could squeeze in. She did more in one day than most of us plan in one week and yet she always had time for her friends.

For many Mrs Farman was an invaluable font of great advice. She was a wonderful listener, genuinely interested and thoughtful with her words. When I sought her advice, she would listen to me carefully and then maybe produce some tidbit from her own experiences which I didn't always understand at first but later would realize the relevance. I wish I had listened to her more. I wish I had heard her play the piano more. I wish I had seen her on that river rafting trip wearing a shower cap through the rapids. I wish I had told her how much she inspired me.

Mrs Farman had tremendous grace, a quality that is hard to define and harder still to fake. Either you have grace or you don't. Mrs. Farman- you had it in spades.

Leslie Van Frank

May 5, 2013

Roxane - I have fond memories of many lovely conversations with your mother. She surely had a magical life. Thank you for sharing her with the rest of us.

May 5, 2013

Although i never met Mrs Farmanfarmaian she sounds like a very interesting person who you would like to have a conversation with. Also I always loved Millers honey.

May 5, 2013

I adored Gean. She added so much warmth and beauty to our Reviewers Club meetings, and I shall miss seeing her happy smile, hearing her voice. What a lady! Ann George

Ziba Marashi

May 4, 2013

Gean was a friend and an inspiring piano teacher. She attended my younger sister's wedding--we considered her part of our family. When I left Utah, I lost touch with her though I thought of her often. Much love and good thoughts to her family. She always lit up with pride when she spoke of her daughter, Roxane.

Ann Penman-Morgan

May 4, 2013

Gean was always a lady, and an amazing true friend. She never ate in excess, she only had one drink in a day, she only ate the dark bread, and she smoked using a filtered cigarette holder. She taught that life is meant to be appreciated, challenging and rewarding. She taught me about the beauty of Persian culture and the art of Persian miniatures. She is the best teacher I ever had a truly inspiring lady. My life was changed all for the better having Gean as my friend. I do miss her. She was more than a friend she was the matriarch of the Big Ed's family. Now she has joined the host of angles and again she is showing us “the way”. Love always Ann

Princess Gean “Lady in Red” persian miniature by Ann K. Penman-Morgan

Ann Penman-Morgan

May 4, 2013

May 4, 2013

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to meet Verla Gean as a member of the Ladies' Literary Club. She was unique, classy, cosmopolitan and enthusiastic, not to mention amazingly talented. Verla Gean was a one-of-a-kind treasure in many lives. She was impressive!

Andrea Perkins

May 4, 2013

She was my favorite teacher. I will never forget her.

Brooke (Robbins) Krim

May 3, 2013

My Aunt VerlaGean entered every room, every situation, with light. She taught me to embrace and love learning, new cultures, and different experiences. I'm grateful for all the times she took time to visit our family, bringing a new book or new idea with her each time. Even in the last few years of her life, she was still learning---and sharing her learning with me as always. (I'm guessing she did this with everyone she knew, and I love that about her!)

I'll remember my dear Aunt VerlaGean forever, and hope to become more like her as days go forward.

Bernadette LeRoy

May 3, 2013

I think Mrs. Farman left a lasting impression and was an inspiration to everyone with whom she came in contact. I was a waitress at a restaurant (Big Ed's) for about six years where Mrs. Farman would come in and have coffee regularly. This was over twenty years ago and I still have such fond memories of her. She was unfailingly kind and interested in everyone around her.She always made you feel unconditionally accepted and appreciated. She was a generous listener. And such style! She was a truly exceptional woman who lived this one go around on earth in a way that could serve as an example to us all. Thanks, Mrs. Farman!

Alex Farman-Farmaian

May 3, 2013

She was a special, warm and selfless person. Her generosity of spirit and kindness will be missed, as will the ever positive humor and twinkle in her eye.

Heather Kasten

May 3, 2013

She was the epitome of class and grace. She taught me how to play bridge and once called me erudite; then had to enlighten me on the definition. She has left her mark on me and I am grateful.

Richie Cannaday

May 2, 2013

She was the sweetest ladies and one of my favorite teachers. She taught me to understand and actually like math. May the heavens receive you openly as their new teacher.

Jonas Armstrong

May 2, 2013

I was a student of Mrs. Farman's at Wasatch. As with others she had a tremendous impact on my life. As I reflect on her impact on me I remember truly enjoying learning in her presence. I remember more things from her class than my entire elementary experience (songs, history, poems). She made her students feel important and she recognized their accomplishments. Her charisma was contagious.... What a lady.

I hope my daughters will be fortunate enough to have an educator with many of the same qualities. I feel honored to have been one of her students.

I want to express my appreciation for this experience to her family. May you find comfort in her passing.

May 2, 2013

She was a better teacher to me than any I had in school. Pure grace. Pure love and tolerance with a dash of sass.

Diane Miller Wilson

May 2, 2013

My Aunt was the most influential person in my life, she spent time with her great nephews Jesse and Jake telling them stories of her extraordinary life and teaching them anything that she could in the time she had with us.She'll be missed by many.

sonnie anderson

May 2, 2013

Such a dear sweet lady, i always looked forward to visiting with her when i would go to help her clean.

May 2, 2013

Mrs. Farman was one of the best people I've ever known. She will leave a lovely echo.

Aaryn Allred

May 2, 2013

I was lucky enough to have had "Mrs. Farman" as my 5th grade teacher way back in 1980. Those were difficult times for me, as my parents were going through a horrid divorce. Her classroom, her arms, and her heart were the safest places for me; crucial to my life, she loved me when I felt utterly un-loveable. She was a magnificent woman, a magical pied-piper who inspired me to be curious, open, loving, creative, happy, and free. I'm saddened at her passing, but so grateful it was as elegant and as peaceful as she was. I loved her...but don't know if I ever told her. I hope I did. The world is a better place because she was in it. She exemplified what all teachers should aspire to be.

May 2, 2013

Darling Gean, The ladies of the High Tea Group will miss you greatly. You added joy and love to our outings. Our hearts go out to your daughter and grandson. Naomi Feigal

Pat Scott

May 2, 2013

I am so honored to have known her. She was such a remarkable woman - so positive, generous, loving, and talented. I will always remember our conversations. Thank you . . .

Cindy Morgan

May 2, 2013

No words can ever express how much you touched my life. I enjoyed so much talking with you, playing bridge, going to dinner and plays. It was a friendship I will never forget. You were so special to many people. This world won't be the same without you.

Erin Groscost

May 2, 2013

Although Mrs. Farman wasn't my 5th grade teacher, she was a teacher nonetheless to all whom she encountered. No matter where she was, she was teaching.

She taught a bunch of us beer swillers to play (and love) bridge. She was unfailingly generous with her adventures, inviting others to come and join her in whatever she was up to. Bridge at the Ladies' Literary Club; lectures at the Hinckley Institute of Politics; long and interesting conversations over coffee at Big Ed's. She was, and still remains, a role model for us all.

Unfailing curiosity and kindness are her legacy and I am a better person for having known this wonderful and amazing woman. I will never forget her and I hope to become more like her with every passing day.

May you rest in peace, Mrs. Farman, secure in the knowledge you were loved and will be missed by all who encountered you.

Much love,

Erin Groscost

Nelson Knight

May 2, 2013

Mrs. Farman was my 5th Grade teacher at Wasatch Elementary, and the stories she told us about her life and the world beyond Salt Lake City enriched my life. A highlight of the year was learning "50 Nifty United States" and singing it at the Ladies Literary Club, as well as a craft project made from the candles from Big Ed's restaurant. She was so proud of Roxanne's achievements and nudged us toward setting our sights high as well in our lives. I have kept those memories of 5th Grade and visit them often, especially as my own children are in school and I hope that they will have teachers as great as Mrs. Farman was for me. May your family be comforted by her truly great life lived and the many, many lives she influenced.

Christopher Young

May 1, 2013

My dear Gean...I can never thank you enough for inspiring me in so many ways. From learning to play bridge to introducing me to the opera. You have brought so much joy to my life. I am so proud to be your friend. I will miss you.

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