NOWROUZIAN, Gail Kathlyn Marie

September 19, 1945 - May 5, 2022

A smart, savvy vivacious personality has left us.

Gail was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Mary Kirzy (Crawford) and adopted by Clarence and Dorothea Engebretsen, who all predeceased her. She grew up in Rainy River with sister Carol, also deceased, and brother Allan.

Gail studied Library Science at Red River Community College in Winnipeg. She applied her craft at Atomic Energy of Canada and Manitoba Legislative Libraries. In 1970, Gail sought adventure abroad and moved to London, where she worked at London School of Economics and British Petroleum Institute. She married John Collis in 1972; they divorced in 1976.

Gail's next adventure was accepting a position with the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in Vienna, Austria, in 1984. While there, Gail met and married Farhad Nowrouzian, the love of her life. They were married in 1987. They enjoyed a stylish and elegant lifestyle that encouraged Gail's lifelong obsession with fashion.

In 2000, Gail and Farhad retired and relocated to Vancouver, where Farhad found their forever home in Julia Court in Vancouver's West End. They were an exotic couple, very European, and a real breath of fresh air. Their condo became a centre of social activity. Sadly, Farhad passed away in 2003.

Gail stayed in Julia Court, and went on to entertain in 'Auntie Mame' style, putting on the most marvellous parties, bringing diverse people together and creating friendships. She was charmingly eccentric, a true free spirit. She could quote 60s and 70s rock lyrics and lines of Shakespeare with equal ease. Her sharp intelligence, great sense of humour, and genuine interest in people made her a wonderful host.

Gail was a kind, loving, and generous friend. We miss her and will always remember her in our hearts.