Pari Khezri
(1948 – 2018)
In Loving Memory A pillar of so many of our lives was lost on August 11, 2018 when, while among family, Parichehr (Pari) Khezri (nee Kabir) peacefully passed away.
Her life was full of pride, love and passion. She was so many things, but known by most as a proud grandmother, a successful restaurateur and a great friend. She gave her time for the benefit of others and her hands were seldom still. From her birth on May 5, 1948 to the moment she was taken from us, she nourished everyone around her with love, humour and good food. Her story began in Iran and the Persian Gulf, then to Calgary where her very loving and mournful husband of 45 years and her children still live on with her memory. She was loved not only for the things she did for so many; but for the person she was. It is as though every cliché about love and loss was written about this magnificent woman. With her courage, strength and determination, she could lose no battle. Her three year fight with cancer was no different: despite never being able to again touch her, she is not gone and we will forever continue to feel her within us. Every year, she made significant efforts to raise funds for both the Canadian Cancer Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, both causes that are of deep importance to her family. She was the founder of Atlas Specialty Supermarket and Persian Cuisine, which is still a flourishing and popular Calgary establishment after over 20 years, often highlighted in the media for both her delicious recipes and the wonderful people who prepare and serve it. She was also a founding member of the Calgary Iranian Cultural Society and led the effort to start Calgary’s first Farsi language program, not only as Calgary’s first Farsi language teacher but also by taking it upon herself to recruit and personally transport to class its students. Her commitment to furthering and promoting education and the Iranian culture that she had left behind and held close to her heart is evident in the multitude of her former students who are now experiencing the benefits of her personal and professional care and attention. Her example will be a model for everyone, as though she is again a teacher and each memory of her serves as a lesson for life. To live as well as her, you must only open your heart to everyone, be kind to the world and put others before yourself. Each and every day, in order to make those around her feel special and important, her sweetness and affection for others powered her on a marathon-length sprint: she had more friends than time allowed for and she was the beacon of her family. Of most importance to Pari were her grandchildren, to whom their “Mamani” was the world – she will look down upon them from the stars and will never be forgotten.
The family thanks all of those who kept her company at home and in hospital during her hardest times. It was your presence that gave her strength.
Should you wish, in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Predeceased by many, including her parents, brother and two sisters. Survived by Manouchehr; Amir (Clancy) – Cameron, Darius, Devin; Satyar (Jennifer); Morvarid; Shahin (Hamid) – Sharagim, Keon; and the Siadat family.
The world will never be the same without her.