My dear friend Mitra and I met in college at UCSD in the 1980s. Some of my favorite memories are of us staying up late at night studying for our biochemistry exams. Since I’m not a night person, I would often fall asleep while studying, and Mitra would tease me, saying, “Sit up! I know what it means when you start slanting little by little—you’ll be horizontal pretty soon.” We would laugh so much when she was proven right and I would soon fall asleep on the couch.
Mitra was also the first friend I trusted to introduce me to my very first drink. One memorable evening at La Jolla Beach, what was meant to be a simple lesson turned into a trip to the hospital when I thought I was dying—only to find out I was simply drunk! It became one of those stories we laughed about for years.
Life eventually took us in different directions. We both built families, raised children, and became busy with our careers, and for many years we lost touch. Two years ago, Mitra called me before a trip to Iran to see her father, and hearing her voice again after so long filled my heart with joy. It felt as if no time had passed at all.
I retired a few months ago, and Mitra was at the top of my list of people to reconnect with. I am so grateful that I had the chance to see her, speak with her, and hug her one last time just a week before she went to heaven.
Mitra was beautiful inside and out—kind, caring, loving, funny, vibrant, and full of life. She will be deeply missed, and the memories of our friendship will stay in my heart forever.
Love you, Mitra joonam.

I have so many fond & loving memories of Mitra.  From the 1st time I met her to camping trips together, holiday celebrations, trips to Las Vegas & so much more that I can't find the words.  Mitra - I will see you & others I have loved & lost when I get there , my friend & sister-in -law.  John...you are also in my heart more than you know during this difficult time.

Dearest Mitra, 
A beloved friend,  exuberant, effervescent indomitable woman, steadfast neighbour and   entertaining client.
She was a loving wife and the mum of two of the most brilliant young  ladies I know.

I first heard Mitra’s distinctive Terran accent back in 1997,  I had just moved into the house behind she and John’s.

 At that time our homes had just been built, the landscape hadn’t grown in so one could pretty much hear everything from all our surrounding homes.  

We regularly smelled the deliciousness of her Iranian cuisine wafting across the fences. The aroma of foods my daughter learned to adore and which can make my mouth water even today.

We had not yet met and then one afternoon I saw two sets of  brown eyes peeping at me through the fence as I sunbathed in the garden, followed by a quiet scalding from Mitra, telling  her girls not to spy on me.

So instead  they climbed  up into their tree house, peeking over the fence. 
‘I’m Stephanie and Im Sara ‘ they said. 
So began the family friendship.  

We eventually built a ladder on either side of our fences so the girls could hop over easily. 
Our daughter Tyler regularly yelling for the girls, way too loud and early. 

 While I was at work Tyler became a regular over at Mitra and Johns,  she would come home talking about the girls, Amir and his jolly laugh, Aggie and her amazing food and John being a super dad.  Oh and darling Boomer the dog. 

Mitra and her family were a second home to my daughter as she grew up and Stephanie and Sara are still  like second daughters to me as well.  
Mitra became a client  and during our private visits together we would share  family milestones, such as Aggie passing and dear Boomer to, along  with the girls first dates, first Prom and going off to college. 

Mitra’s Political opinions would have the whole salon in heavy debate, she knew how to stir emotions and make us laugh. 
She was a class act. 


I will miss her greatly. 
MITRA U R LUVDxxx

I have so many fond memories of us with our young families gathering together in California for birthdays & holidays.  After moving to OR,  I loved our visits❤️

Mitra was the kind in humankind. She was a caring neighbor/friend who always had the biggest beautiful smile. She never judged only loved. 

Praying for strength and peace for John, Sarah and Stephanie.

Our neighbor, Mitra, always had a fun, whimsical greeting for us, delivered in her beautiful accent. We enjoyed seeing her unloading shopping out of her car or out in her garden. 
My husband, Chris, has lived next to John and Mitra for over 24 years. I arrived later and was grateful to have their quiet, private presence in our shared slice of paradise here in coastal Encinitas. We trusted them to keep an eye out for our home and mail when we traveled and sometimes did the same for them. 
As Mitra started her cancer treatments two years ago, we were thrilled when we would get a rare sighting of her. There was a wonderful time when she appeared to be getting much better and we’d see her walking as we did our own neighborhood circuit. Her hair grew out and she laughed with her stylish cut. 
We will miss her and her singular take on the world. Our neighborhood is less rich without her. 
Sending John, Stephanie and Sarah our condolences.

Sarah and I met at USC over ten years ago, and through our friendship I was lucky enough to spend time with her wonderful family, including Mitra. No single memory could ever capture the depth of love between them — the love Sarah had for her mother, and the love Mitra so clearly had for her daughter.

But I often think of a small, quiet moment. I would FaceTime Sarah when she was visiting home, and so many times Mitra would walk into the room, light up, and say, “My beautiful daughter!” She would sit beside her and give her a little foot massage — such a simple gesture, but so full of tenderness.

It was the kind of love you could feel through a phone screen. 

Rest in paradise, Mitra. ❤️

I had the pleasure of getting to know Mitra during and after my time attending both high school and college with Sarah. I will always remember her great sense of humor. Some of my favorite moments were when Mitra and I would be laughing hysterically about something she said, while Sarah would roll her eyes at us. I love that Mitra didn’t hold back and was the truest version of herself. She is gone too soon and will be missed by many, but I hope that Sarah, Stephanie, and John can take solace in the fact she lived her life to the fullest in the time she had. Rest in peace Mitra. ❤️

Mitra lived and embodied everything that makes Encinitas wonderful. She shared values, stories, and a perspective formed from her experiences in Iran, but always kept her outlook positive, light, and above all, candid. She loved her community and her neighbors, and never hesitated to spread some insight on the happenings of La Veta. Sarah and Stephanie are shining examples of Mitra’s love for science and engineering and consistent skepticism and inquisitiveness of the world around her—she raised smart critical thinking women, relentless in their technical disciplines. 

Above all, Mitra was unapologetically hilarious. Brutal during teenage years, but you always knew whether you could pull off your new outfit or haircut. She had jokes for days. No politician, actor, or community member was safe! But she knew to make everyone around her feel loved and appreciated, whether it was talking up Sarah’s art or Stephanie’s research— often both. Encinitas and the global community will miss Mitra deeply, but her contributions to our community and our world are her legacy. 💚

I had the pleasure of getting to know Mitra through her daughter, Sarah, who can truly be described as her mother’s daughter. They are both authentically themselves, quick to share a laugh with you, and have an energy people gravitate towards. 

Any time Sarah and I visited San Diego, Mitra always welcomed me into her home with a warm hug and the best pistachios I’ve ever had. Rest in peace Mitra - you are so missed but will live on through your incredible family 💕

Mitra was a wise, joyful, and grounded friend whose steady guidance and adventurous spirit touched so many lives. Through work, a close friendship formed, Mitra, Adrienne, and I called ourselves the "Three Musketeers."  We shared countless walks and travels together, from Temecula, California, to the Rachel Carson Sanctuary in Maine, exploring Salem, Massachusetts, and visiting cathedrals in Paris.
Mitra shared stories of her life in Iran and her time in Turkey, including a hilarious video of herself dancing in the streets with fearless joy.  This was a perfect reflection of her freely moving spirit. She faced life’s challenges,  family responsibilities, career setbacks, and illness, with courage, dignity, and remarkable strength.
Even in our exchange on Mother’s Day 2025, her warmth came through: “The best job being a Mom 💕 have a joyful day you deserve it 😘.” That was Mitra, affirming, steady, and full of heart. She will be deeply missed, and there is comfort in knowing she is now free from pain, dancing joyfully.

My friend Mitra, a good person, a kind person with such a grand sense of humor.  She will be truly missed until we see each other again on the other side.💕 🙏

I made this silly video of my mom back in 2021. I’ve shared this with so many and one friend, Elbeg, said “you have a fun mom”. Such true words. I hope her vibrant spirit continues to shine through me ❤️

I had the pleasure of meeting Mitra in 2005/2006 as we both started Invitrogen together. 
She was always incredibly passionate about her job and outperformed all of us with her incredible work ethic.
More importantly, she often spoke about her caring husband and incredibly talented daughters over the last twenty years. 
The attached photo was at a Thai restaurant in Encinitas in November 2025. Mitra was full of life and a self-advocate for her care plan.
My sincerest condolences to your entire family. Hope to share memories with all of you at the celebration of life. ❤️
Brian Sasaki

Mitra,
My dear friend. We shared many years of true friendship. This photo was from one of our many trips . You  are a blessing from God and will be forever loved .
My condolences to your wonderful husband John, your two beautiful daughters Stephanie and Sarah. 
Rest in peace my dear friend.

I miss her laughter.
May she rest in peace.
Much love for you 
John 
Sarah
Stephanie.

Aunt Mitra, words can’t explain how much our whole family is going to miss you. Thank you for all the memories over the years and opening your home up to me summer after summer growing up so I could cultivate the relationship I have with Stephanie and Sarah. Your silliness, passion, life stories, dance moves and more will be so so missed. Thank you for raising my best friends who are the closest people I have to siblings. Sarah and Stephanie - I love you both more than you know. And uncle John - you were the best caretaker for her and I love you too. 

Rest easy aunt mitra ❤️

I will always remember Mitra’s kind and generous heart. A short time after I had met her, I had sent out a request for help creating a store for special-needs children at a nearby school.

Within 24 hours, Mitra and her husband John showed up with a car full of supplies for the school-store. It showed me who Mitra was. She had a heart that was willing to help others and didn’t just make empty promises. 

Mitra had a smile that was infectious and sincere. I am happy that before she passed, we had become more than friends, we were family. She will be missed by many.

Mitra had a beautiful spirit both inside and out that I got the opportunity to experience for over 30 years.  The bond between her and my wife  Yeggie was a rare friendship and they called one another sisters but in some respects it was even deeper than that.  
Mitra and John raised two beautiful, strong, and independent daughters… Stephanie and Sarah…whom are a testament to the positive mark they made on this world.  I feel her time was too short on this earth but may her light and laughter shine for many years to come.

My heart goes out to my brother, John, my nieces, Stephanie (Tyler) and Sarah along with Mitra's brothers,  Amir Hossain & Amir Abbass.  And while my heart breaks for her precious newborn baby granddaughter, Adelaide, I know that Mitra will be watching over her all the days of her life!  May God be with all of them, bringing them comfort and peace, during this most difficult time.  And, may they continue to find some solace knowing they have the support and love of family and friends.
Mitra will certainly be missed!
Love Always, 
Marilyn & Family

Mitra, twenty plus years as neighbors- so amazing to watch our children grow up—So much joy and laughter (especially those teen years when our children did their best to drive us crazy.) I will cherish memories of you “walking” Boomer (your favorite child) in that silly stroller— sorry Sarah and Stephanie—but Boomer never rolled his eyes or talked back as a teenager—I will miss you.

"Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with their heart and soul there is no such thing as separation." Rumi

I love you sister and will cherish our memories for ever.

OBITUARY

Mitra Shabankarehiean Ostresh

23 January, 1963 – 6 February, 2026

El Camino Memorial - Encinitas

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