Sona Noruzi

“And Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he may die, yet shall he live. And everyone who lives and believes in me, shall never die”   –John 11, 25-27

Our beloved mother, Sona Noruzi passed away peacefully on March 31, 2024 surrounded lovingly by her family.

Sona was born on September 19, 1934 in Esfehan, Iran to an Assyrian mother and Armenian father. She was a “little rascal” (a phrase she loved to use) from the start, with a sense of curiosity, adventure, and a bit of mischief, too. She scrambled up the neighbors‘ trees to pick fruit and would catch fish at a nearby brook with her homemade pole. 

She met our father, Naghi Noruzi, when applying for a job at a bank in which he was the hiring manager. He proclaimed his heart skipped a beat the moment he saw her name. They married in 1958 and had 3 children, Kamy, Mari, and Charlotte, and 2 grandchildren, Arianna and Kaleb. She was very proud of Kaleb when he started medical school. She was a devoted mother, wife, sister, and aunt. Sona was present when her son, Kamy proposed to his wife, Mina, in 2017, and they grew very close. Sona became like her own mother and Mina, her own daughter. Towards the end of her life, the person that played the primary and selfless role of taking utmost care and making sure she was loved and appreciated was none other than Mina.

Being a kindergarten teacher in Tehran, education was very important to her and she left Iran in 1977 in pursuit of higher education for her children. She was a strong advocate for ‘education first‘ and instilled in her children a love of learning and self betterment. 

She was an exceptional cook and feeding her family was the truest expression of her love. She made sure you were nourished well and leftovers to take home were non-negotiable. Her Persian hospitality extended to friends and even strangers. She and our father loved to host parties, dance, and make merry in typical Persian style!

Sona was one of the few who truly embodied unconditional love. Even in times of conflict, she was always there to take you back with open arms and reassuring kisses. Being a devout Catholic with a strong sense of faith, she raised us to follow in the way of God and Jesus Christ. She always said “God is big, He will prevail, pray to Him and he will answer your prayers.” At no other time was her faith more evident than at holiday times, especially Christmas and Easter. One of our favorite memories is painting eggs with her and placing them inside the delicious Challah loaf she would make. She also kept our Persian New Year traditions alive, and we joyously celebrated by “jumping fire”, to encourage the Sun, preparing the “Sofreh” table, tying knots in the “Sabzeh” —green stalks of wheat symbolizing Spring—and placing them in a flowing river so that our new year wishes will come true. 

 
She was an avid gardener and lover of Nature, always pointing out new buds at Springtime. She especially planted roses in memory of her husband, our father, who died in 1987. Despite the many challenges she faced in life, she celebrated and lived it to the fullest. She was extremely proud of her children’s achievements and never hesitated to brag. She also instilled in us her firm work ethic, which has attributed to our success in life. Her firm belief in family values has also kept us together in good times, as well, as hard.

Her sense of style and fashion were unequivocal. Her smile would light up a room, her passion and zest for life were contagious. We know she will bathe us in her bright light of Love and will always be there for us, in our hearts and in our lives. 

Sona is survived by her son, Kamy, her daughter-in-law, Mina, daughters Mari and Charlotte, and grandchildren, Arianna and Kaleb.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sona Noruzi, please visit our floral store.