Samin Susan Dearden-Fani
Dear Family and Friends,
We are overjoyed to announce the birth of our daughter, Samin Susan Dearden-Fani, born on March 23, 2023, at 6:30 p.m. at the Northwest Hospital in Seattle. She weighed almost 8 pounds.
Samin (pronounced: Sa-meen, like Karim) means “precious” in Persian (via Arabic) and her middle name, Susan, honors Jenn’s mom. Her last name is hyphenated, because, you know, it’s 2023. Fani comes second since Aria did neither the bearing nor the pushing part.
We truly hope you can meet Samin in the coming weeks either virtually or in person, restrictions may apply (given her very weak immune system now).
With much love,
Aria and Jenn
Arteen Cyrus Bigdeli
We are very happy to announce the arrival of our son Arteen Cyrus Bigdeli on November 17, 2022.
Proud parents Saharnaz and Soheil Bigdeli
Layla Sadr
Layla Sadr made her grand entrance into the world overnight on April 7, 2023, while her grandparents and sister Mika were blissfully sleeping. Unprepared parents with no hospital bag packed and a car seat nowhere to be found got lucky with a quick and smooth delivery. Family and friends woke up to the surprising and wonderful news, though we still hadn’t chosen a name. Mika has adjusted beautifully to being a big sister and hopefully will learn to share more than her preschool colds. Ziba (the family dog) is curious as usual and excited to have one more family member around to drop uneaten food on the floor. Dad is desperately trying to get his daughters to be Padres fans while Mom is providing the vital necessities. Meanwhile, Layla’s lifestyle is currently 24/7 pampering.
Paige Squiller and Rozhan Sadr
FRANK MOTLAGH (1936-2023)
Frank A. Motlagh (known as Hossein to
family and friends) was born in Mashhad, Iran, on April 4, 1936, as the second child and only son of Abdulali Arbab Motlagh and Farrokhlagha Zarrinkelk.
After finishing his medical degree at Tehran University, Frank moved to the U.S. in 1960 to complete his medical training. At Akron City Hospital, he began to specialize as a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon and met his first wife, Rebecca. They were married in 1966 and lived in New York and Texas before returning to Iran, where Frank was head of the heart division of the Queen Pahlavi Heart Hospital in Tehran. Frank and Rebecca and their two children, David and Amy, lived in Iran until 1978, when the family relocated to San Diego. Frank went on to establish his own surgical practice there and eventually retired in 1995. Frank and Rebecca divorced in 1984. In 1992, Frank moved to La Jolla and married Susan Meierbachtol Missaghieh. Frank and Susan separated in 2019 and divorced in 2021.
For many years, Frank loved to walk at the La Jolla Cove and, during his retirement, was often to be found enjoying a cup of coffee with friends at the La Jolla Pannikin, where he was hailed as a regular. He was proud of the long history of his native country and was an active and early supporter of the San Diego Persian Cultural Center.
Frank was predeceased by his sisters Nazanin and Azi, and is survived by his children David (Tracy) and Amy (Lennart); grandchildren Mitra and Daniel; nieces Shahrzad (Shahrokh), Shadi (Behrouz), Viktoria, and nephew Shahram. A memorial service for family and friends will be held in San Diego after the fortieth day following his passing. To honor Frank’s love of history, memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Frank A. Motlagh Scholarship Fund in the History of the Persianate World.
First Published in La Jolla Light, by Legacy Remembers, from March 26 to March 30, 2023.
Manouchehr Vahidi
A Legacy of Strength and Service
Captivating blue eyes and intellect, he stood out from the beginning. Manouchehr Khaan Vahidi was born on February 4, 1935, to Simzar and Heibatollah after siblings Aladdin, PooranDokht, IranDokht, and before Bahman, in Orumiyeh, Iran. His family was broken by the tragic death of the eldest son and then their father when Manouchehr was only 11. Being responsible to provide, protect, and care for others was a role Manouchehr took on when his father died and carried out till the end.
Manouchehr was an honor graduate of Civil Engineering from Daneshkadeh Fanni of Tehran University and received his Masters in Engineering and Economy from the University of Delaware. He studied the water resources in Iran and became the subject matter expert who pioneered the design and development of improved ways to supply water to underprivileged remote villages in Iran. He was the supervising engineer for the building of major dams, roads, and tunnels, including the Karaj Dam. He also served in key roles in the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, Planning and Budget Organization, and was the Editor in Chief of the “Structural” Journal. He authored several books and publications including “Water and Water Supplies.” On global stages, Manouchehr proudly represented Iran and spoke at the World Bank, UN, and numerous international forums as he presented his extensive work on solving water shortage crises and creating earthquake building codes to world leaders.
At home, he was a dedicated husband to Delara and a caring father to his three children—Virasb, Mahsa, and Pantea. Creating a supportive, nurturing, and tight-knit family unit was his greatest priority and he made countless sacrifices to ensure the safety, comfort, and success of his family through a revolution, war, immigration, and many tribulations. Later in life, he found joy in spending time with his grandchildren—Dariush, Leela, Arteen, Tiana, Anita, Cyrus, and Vida. He shared his love for music, skiing, and Persian pastry with them and cultivated confidence, strength, and a love of learning. In their own words, he was their role model and hero.
Manouchehr was a pillar of perseverance and resilience who fought for justice and protected others. While he experienced many, he never complained about life’s adversities, never bent, and never gave up on pursuing what is right. A true math genius, he also had a huge heart for the softer things in life. He embodied every note of a music piece, often humming along in bliss or dancing to it, spent time in the mountains to connect with nature, and recited Farsi and Azeri poems. He expressed his love through being strong for others, forgiving those who did him wrong, instilling belief in you, showing up, and solving your problems without ever mentioning what he gave up to make it happen.
Manouchehr Vahidi passed away surrounded by his family in San Diego, California, on March 31, 2023, at home, leaving behind a legacy of humility, compassion, strength, and service. We are honoring him by donating to the Iranian-American Scholarship Fund to empower Iranian students to achieve higher education and build better lives for themselves, their families, and future generations as he did.
-Pantea Vahidi
Minoo Ameli Sohaey
JUNE 12, 1941 – DECEMBER 20, 2022
“God picks the loveliest flowers!”
We bid farewell to our lovely Minoo who left us suddenly one December evening. Born in Shiraz to Dr. (Judge) Bagher and Mrs. Molouk Razavi Ameli, she later married Dr. Manutchehr Sohaey in Tehran. They moved to the United States (Chicago), where she helped him in his successful practice in Plastic and Reconstructive surgery as his business manager.
Minoo cherished her service to the Iranian community and was a leader in social and cultural activities, including serving as president of the Iranian Cultural Society in Illinois and founder of the society’s Mother/Daughter/Son gatherings. The Sohaeys retired in San Diego and she continued on with many fundraisers and cultural events with different organizations in San Diego. One of Minoo’s favorite activities was hosting the annual Nowruz baking activities for House of Iran’s new year celebration.
Minoo was a very happy and positive person and her attitude was contagious. She loved traveling with friends and learning and experiencing different cultures. She was surrounded by family and friends who loved her dearly. Minoo is survived by her husband, Dr. Manutchehr Sohaey, her three children and their spouses, five grandchildren, and her brothers and their spouses. She was loved and respected deeply by so many of us. May she rest in peace in her eternal home. Only if God would have created more such as our lovely Minoo!
-Shahri Estakhry
