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Parvin Marashi Obituary
March 4, 1930 - February 13, 2021
Surrounded by family, Parvin Marashi (neé Rafizadeh) passed away on February 13, 2021 at her home in San Mateo after a prolonged illness.
Parvin was born in the Gilan province of Iran, the second youngest of nine children. She earned her B.A. from Tehran University and her M.A. from the University of Utah. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Mehdi, professor emeritus at the University of Utah, and by daughters Fariba (Phoebe), Ziba and Roya, sons in-law Raif Hijab and Tom Hill, grandchildren Rami and Yasamin and step-grandchildren Claire and Frances. She is also survived by her brother Mahmood Rafizadeh, along with the extended Rafizadeh and Marashi families worldwide.
Parvin expressed her passion for Iranian folk tradition as a vocalist, dancer, and poet, and was the life of every gathering. She promoted her beloved culture as a volunteer for the San Mateo Library Foundation, and was committed to human rights, especially for women and children.
Donations in her memory may be sent to the scholarship fund at the Golestan School, 320 San Carlos Ave. El Cerrito CA 94530, or online: www.golestankids.com.
A memorial will be held at a future date to celebrate her life.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Parvin Marashi
Fariba Marashi
February 18, 2024
Fariba Marashi
February 18, 2024
Fariba Marashi
February 18, 2024
Fariba Marashi
February 18, 2024
Fariba Marashi
February 18, 2024
You will always be with us, as this orchid blooms every year in February.
Ladan
February 17, 2024
In the loving memory of dear Parvin. We love you and miss you always!
Ladan
Layla Hijab Cable
February 17, 2022
On the anniversary of the loss of Parvin, Let me offer her husband Mehdi, her daughters Fariba (Phoebe), Zeba and Roya, her grandchildren Yasamin and Rami and her sons in law Tom and my brother Raif my deepest condolences. I hope the pain of Parvin's loss has been softened with memories of her love, poetry, songs and stories. She lives in your heart and all those she touched.
Rami and Tata 2020
Rami Hijab
April 6, 2021
Dear Tata,
Dear Tata, dear until-until, dear forever-hide-and-seek partner,
Dear wife, dear mother, dear sister, dear grandmother,
Dear one beloved by all others.
You were the joy to the party like the birds chirping to Spring,
Like the sun gleaming to Summer, or the pool glimmering to my fish.
At every party you were the center of attention.
Even when Mama thought she could dance the night away
You came to remind her what tree the fruit comes from.
Even when the music was bumping the latest hits
You came to remind them the soul within live entertainment.
When Spring came life did too
We nipped the flower buds in the backyard,
For it was time for a new leaf to become home to the honey.
We traveled to the home of literature,
For Nowruz was the source of joy and new beginnings.
And even through thick and thin the purity of bliss never wavered.
One day there may have been a creepy-crawly,
But that wasn’t going to stop your joy when you saw me
If there’s one thing I won’t forget from all of this,
It will be the smile you put on my face every time I made you smile.
Dear Tata, lay forever in peace.
You may be gone, but your memories and I will continue playing hide and seek.
Love,
Rami
February 2021
Together for 6 decades plus
Mehdi Marashi
April 6, 2021
In Memory of Parvin
Parvin your life is eternal because the memory of you is always with us.
In the notebook of immortal love, your name is listed at the top.
Because you were good-natured and kind, your spirit is high in the sky.
I know your eternal place is among the stars.
Words cannot express how dear your memory is to us.
We will always remember you because your love and sincerity will be in our hearts.
Mehdi Marashi 2021
Inspired by Parvin’s poem for her late brother, Hooshang
June 2009
Raif Hijab
April 3, 2021
My mother in-law Parvin was a butterfly, always yearning to flutter and whiz about, embracing all that nature had to offer. She did not have the wings of a butterfly, but instead used her poetry, song and dance to float beyond the constraints of daily life. She was as delicate as a porcelain vase, but with a fiery soul. I can only imagine the impact she had on Mehdi when they were fellow student activists in Tehran, giving the spark that started their life journey. We developed a bond early on, a bridge that transcends language, culture and generations. The trust that she placed in me was a gift, and I tried to live up to it. She adored my son Rami and his cousin Yasamin, her long-awaited grandchildren. She would spend hours with little Rami, playing hide and seek or imagining things together. Later, her grand-children’s visits with her raised her spirits as age took its toll. Parvin’s spirit has finally been freed from the confines of mortal flesh, to soar forever in our collective memory.
Layla Hijab Cable
March 13, 2021
I met Parvin at the wedding of her daughter Fariba to my brother Raif over twenty years ago. During many visits to California, we became close and I learned a great deal about this lovely woman. She and Mehdi raised three beautiful and successful daughters, she pursued her own education and held a career and kept connections between her ancestral home and family and her life in America. Parvin was a talented and highly sensitive person. She wrote poetry with some to her grandchildren and recited some of Hafez's poetry to myself and others. She sang Persian songs that conveyed a spirit of a young woman who carried her culture as a treasure across the seas. She retrieved that treasure during our gatherings and burst vivaciously into song and dance accompanied by her daughters. It is with a sad heart that I write about her loss. Yet Parvin left us a great deal of herself. Her memories will liven up our gatherings in the future when we think of her laughter, her poetry recitals, her singing and her lively spirit. Her grandchildren Yasamin and my nephew Rami are lucky to have known her. They witnessed her talents and were surrounded with her love. Rest in Peace Parvin. You are gone but not forgotten.
Tayebeh
March 13, 2021
My Dear Friend Parvin:
I will never forget our wonderful times together when we were two young classmate girls. We would laugh so much together all day and enjoy life. I have so many fond memories with you, I will cherish them all for ever.
I love you and miss you very much Parvin Jon.
Tayebeh
Chahrzad
March 11, 2021
Ameh jooneh azizam:
You will always be in my heart. I miss you so much but would never forget your laughs, your jokes, your poems and singings. Your life was full with joy and laughter and I cherish those memories. I still think the phone could ring and I would be hearing your voice and we could catch up. You have left wonderful memories for all of us.
Love you!
Chahrzad
Thuraya
March 11, 2021
Dear Parvin
I had the honor of meeting you when Raif & Fariba got married.
While the long distance between East and West coasts meant we only saw each other at holidays or family events I have many precious memories with you.
One of my favorite was holiday parties when we would always find ourselves in a tête-à-tête having quiet, lovely conversation amidst the din and racket of a luscious food festival and family gathering.
In those moments you often shared the most amazing stories of your life journey: from your youth in Iran to hysterical antics in Utah or sharing your love of poetry (even your own).
It was always a special time for me to share those moments together & you never failed to end our quiet moments with laughter like song, a lustrous twinkle in your eyes and your beautiful smile.
We shared the connection of the Pleiades in our names, and I know you’re home Shining with the Stars.
Thank you for sharing your Shining Spirit with me and all who knew you.
Your Spirit will shine on in all of our Hearts.
All my Love,
Thuraya
Nooshin Marashi
March 10, 2021
In loving memory of our wonderful Parvin Khanoom. We will love you and miss you always. She is in heaven with those who went before her. ❤
Susan Marashi
March 10, 2021
She will always have a special place in our hearts. We will think of her with love forever . Ahmad & Susan
The Basils
March 10, 2021
From the first time we met Parvin, we could tell how caring this fine lady was, with a smile always on her face makes you feel so comfortable. We can't imagine now, when we visit Fariba and Raif, that we're not going to see her. May she rest in peace.
Latifeh Hagigi
March 10, 2021
I met Parvin Khanoom in 1977, when I was a graduate student of Dr. Mehdi Marashi at the University of Utah . Over time we became like family and I truly loved her like my own mother. I’ll never forget her elegance, sweet smiles, and joyful laughters. She was always kind, hospitable, and welcoming. I have fond memories of her wonderful parties in Salt Lake City. When they moved to California, together with Dr. Marashi, the three of us worked on Persian proficiency text books. It was so much fun and such a joy visiting and working together. She was a wonderful poet and loved to share her proems with me. She specially enjoyed sharing the poems she wrote for her grandchildren, whom she loved dearly. I will forever cherish all our memories. May she rest in peace.
Shirin Rafizadeh
March 10, 2021
We had good memories together when she came to visit us in Iran. She will be missed and never forgotten.
Bijan Rafizadeh
March 8, 2021
Aunt Parvin was always the cool aunt; she was full of life, always laughing, singing and dancing. She was a beautiful person, inside and out. I have so many fond memories of our family summer vacations coming from Iran, visiting the Marashis in Utah. Aunt Parvin always made us feel at home. Because of her and her family, those summers were so much fun and incredibly memorable. She used to tell me, “if you move to the US and go to high school here, all the girls will be chasing after you, calling you cutie Persian boy.” She perhaps was a bit too optimistic, but I loved it. I can’t forget the time when aunt Parvin made us a big bowl of her delicious tuna salad. It was my first time ever trying it, and I vividly remember - I literally could not stop eating! Closing my eyes, I can still feel how wonderful it tasted to the 15-year-old me. It’s so hard to believe she’s not with us anymore, but I know in my heart of hearts that she is in a better place, resting in peace. We will always love her and miss her dearly.
Maryam Anvari
March 8, 2021
In loving memory of a wonderful person, who was always full of life. My beautiful aunt, we will love you and miss you always.
Omid Eslamipour
March 7, 2021
I would always cherish my conversations with Pravin about the Persian poets of our time time and whom I became familiar with as a teenager in Iran. Our conversation would always spark great memories of our homeland for me. I will very much miss being in her company and our conversations. May she rest in peace and may her memory be a blessing for all of us.
Haala, Nabil and Angela
March 7, 2021
Parvin will always be remembered in our family as a constant source of good will. She always had a smile and kind word for us. She had a softly commanding charm and calming presence every time we saw her.
The sound of her characteristic laugh was so infectious.
We miss her dearly.
Homayoun Rafizadeh
March 7, 2021
Was so sad to hear of Khaleh Parvin's passing. When I look at her picture it reminds me of my grandmother Naheed khanoom. Khaleh Parvin is now joined her brothers and sisters, the great Ahmad Rafizadeh, Mahin khanoom, Naheed Khanoom, Hooshang Khan and even could be with my mom and dad who were her close childhood friends. May she rest in peace. I have some amazing memories with Khaleh Parvin. My deepest condolences to her family, 3 amazing daughters and the wonderful Mr Marashi. We will miss her. Here is the biggest Rafizadeh gathering that I know of back in 2008 with Khaleh Parvin. We love you and will miss you.
Caryn Summers
March 6, 2021
I'll always remember our Parvin, holding Yasamin as she rocked back and forth, singing her special song to her when she was born. This is only one of the wonderful memories that I will cherish of this lady with the wonderful laugh. May the family's grief be softened with memories of love.
Caryn Summers
Ladan
March 5, 2021
In loving memory of beautiful Parvin Khanoom. We will love you and miss you always. RIP.
Maryam
March 5, 2021
Her light will forever shine in my heart and hearts of many. Will cherish happy and fun memories forever. We miss your beautiful smile, Parvin Khanoom. RIP
Maryam
Roya Marashi
March 5, 2021
Mom. I have so many fond memories, I’d like to share some. You helped me study for the spelling bee for weeks and then gave me a lucky turtle for my pocket the day of the contest. I won for my school.. Every sack lunch had a special note on a napkin. My hot lunch friends would make fun of it. They were jealous. You taught me your traditional village’s dance and song and we would often perform these for family and friends at parties. We were so entertaining! I would sit at the kitchen counter and watch you make the most delicious Persian food. Not sure which was better; watching you cook or eating your food. More recently, you would recite your poetry to me and tell me to work less and love more. I will work hard but I will always lover harder, thanks to you, my beautiful mom.
Shahpar Ghodsi
March 4, 2021
Happy Birthday my dear friend of so many years. I will miss you and think of you. You were my hiking partner, my Squash game partner, my snowshoeing partner. Our families got along so well. I always remember your laughter, your jokes, your singing and dancing and reciting your poems at the many lovely parties with other friends and their families. I am happy to have visited you in San Mateo, California a couple of years ago and hope to see you in the universe of peace whenever my time is up here. you will always be in my heart.
Shahpar
Yasamin Marashi
March 4, 2021
I will always carry my grandmother with me when I laugh, dance, sing, and love. She showed me what it is to be strong, yet soft. Polite, yet (as we keep saying) "the life of the party". Thank you for making me the woman I am today. Happy birthday tata, ghorboonet beram
Ziba Marashi
March 4, 2021
We will celebrate life through songs, poems, and dance to honor your memory. Love and miss you so much, you are in our hearts forever.
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