FATEMEH AKDARI IRAJI

FATEMEH AKDARI IRAJI Passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and friends on March 24, 2016 after a courageous 7-year battle with ALS. She is survived by her son Alkan Akdari and his partner Mara Leonard, her sisters Forough and Rohangiz and brothers Nader and Jamshid. Fatemeh was born in Kerman, Iran, on March 21, 1951, the fifth of six children born from Mohammad and Sakine Iraji. She moved to Istanbul, Turkey, to begin her studies at Istanbul Teknik Üniversitesi. Fatemeh graduated with a civil engineering degree in 1978, one of the first women to obtain this degree. In 1986, Fatemeh moved to Toronto where she focused on social work and multi-cultural community growth. She was passionate about supporting new immigrants to Canada and their adjustment to a Canadian life and citizenship. Fatemeh devoted her time to community agencies such as the United Way of York Region, CultureLink and CHATS (Community & Home Assistance to Seniors). In addition to this work, she created community support groups in Richmond Hill for the Persian, Chinese and senior populations. In 2009, Fatemeh began to show symptoms of ALS. Although the disease took away her physical capabilities, she continued her work and inspired her family and friends with her positive attitude, humour, perseverance and strength. In 2012, she was recognized by the Prime Minister and the Government of Canada for her tremendous passion and longtime devotion to the Richmond Hill and Iranian-Canadian communities. A Celebration of Life will take place from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, March 27th in the Thornhill Room at the Sheraton Parkway Toronto North Hotel and Suites, located at 9005 Leslie Street, Richmond Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Fatemeh's memory to the ALS Society.