Parvin Mahootian

Parvin Mahootian, born in 1928 in Tehran, Iran, passed away September 2024 in Los Angeles, California, joining her beloved husband, Nasser, who passed away in 2013. Known as "Pari" by everyone during her long and prosperous life of 96 years, she grew up in Tehran, married Nasser, a brilliant professor, and together with him embarked on a mission to promote higher education in Iran. She started her career in Tehran as an elementary school teacher in 1949, and in 1959 moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan with her family, where she earned her Master's degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University. She returned to Tehran to accept an administrative position at Pahlavi University, eventually moving to the University of Isfahan in 1972 as Associate Professor of Education and principal of the university's international preparatory school.

In 1975, Pari traveled to London, England to attend the BBC's Arts and Education program on behalf of the newly established Open University campus in Iran. There, she joined a groundbreaking international education team establishing state-of-the-art audiovisual education techniques, which she then employed to develop distance learning programs serving students in the rural areas of a rapidly developing Iran.

Pari was enamored with the arts, museums, travel and fashion, and loved vibrant, bustling cities, and new experiences. She was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing elaborate and sumptuous meals for her loved ones. Most of all she loved her children, grandchildren, and great granddaughter; her siblings, nieces, and grandnieces; and her many friends. Pari was a loving and cherished mother and mother-in-law to daughters Mina and Shahrzad (husband Lewis), sons Farzad (wife Tara Marie) and Dana (wife Hyun), beloved by her grandchildren, Amber, Adrian, Fauna, Kia and Zhaleh, and adored by her great granddaughter Leila. Loyal and generous to her many friends, her greatest joy was knowing her loved ones were happy, comfortable and fulfilled. Pari will always be loved, ever missed, and never forgotten.