Naheed Akhtar Khavari
1953 – 2025
Naheed was born to Johangeer and Parvin Mashreghi. Johangeer was of Zoroastrian descent and Parvin was of Jewish descent. Both were united by the Baha'i Faith. In service to Baha'u'llah, they pioneered from Iran to Pakistan. Naheed was born and raised in Karachi. She shared great memories of her childhood with her beloved sisters: Parvaneh and Jalleh. Johangeer owned a restaurant and Parvin was a radio talk show host. In accordance with Baha'i teachings, they valued the importance of the education of girls. Naheed attended a private Catholic school, where she mastered the English language. At the age of 19, Naheed and the Mashreghi family left their pioneering post due to the outbreak of war in Pakistan and moved to Iran for several years. She met the love of her life, Fuad Akhtar-Khavari, and left her country of origin to join her beloved. Naheed came to the United States to start her life with Fuad in 1976. They spent the early years of their marriage in Sulfur Springs, Texas. They joyfully assimilated into the American culture. Soon after, the family started to grow. Shawn and Sheeda were born in Texarkana, Texas. Eventually the Akhtar-Khavari family moved to Shawnee, Oklahoma. Their life path also took them to North Carolina and Minnesota for several years. Their heart was always in Oklahoma, so they moved back in 2001. Naheed dedicated her professional life to serving others as a social worker with the Department of Human Services, a role she held with compassion and integrity until her final days. The passion and joy of Naheed's life is her family. She expressed deep love for her children: Shawn and Sheeda. She loved to spend time with their spouses: Tina and Amin. She adored her four grandchildren: Andrew Bayan, Anthony Omid, Amelia Nava and Maxwell Nabil. Most of all, she was devoted to her beloved husband of 49 years: Fuad. Naheed will be remembered for her warmth, strength and unwavering love. Her spirit lives on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Graveside services will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Gracelawn Cemetery in Edmond, Oklahoma.