Freny Jamshed Ranji

Freny was predeceased by her loving husband of 50 years, Jamshed , and her sister, Dolly. She leaves behind her loving children, Neville (Jeanie), Viraf (Jennifer), and Dinyar; her beloved grandchildren, Lauren, Jordan, and Logan; and her siblings, Kobad, Tehemton, Neville, and Jeru, who, along with her many relatives and friends, mourn her loss.

Freny was a pillar of ZAPANJ. As a founding member, she dedicated countless hours of service to the association and served on its Board of Directors on numerous occasions. Even as her health declined, her commitment to the community never wavered. Whenever she was able, she continued to attend ZAPANJ events and was most recently with us at the June Religion Class—a testament to her enduring spirit and love for the community.

She was also a founding member and trustee of ZACUCE, serving faithfully from its inception until her passing. Passionate and determined, Freny remained steadfast in her dream of establishing a Zoroastrian Cultural Center for our tri-state community. Although she did not live to see that vision realized, it is our hope that her dream will one day become a reality—a lasting tribute to her dedication and perseverance.

The Ranji family invites you to celebrate Freny's life and honor her memory.

Funeral prayers will be held on Monday, July 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Blake-Doyle Funeral Home, 226 W Collings Avenue, Collingswood, NJ 08108.

Following the prayers, the family warmly invites everyone to join them for lunch at Palace of Asia in Maple Shade, NJ to remember and celebrate Freny's remarkable life.

May Dadar Ahura Mazda grant her Ruvan Garothman Behest. Sarosh Yazad Panah Bad. (May Ahura Mazda grant her soul rest in the highest realm of heaven; May the divine guardian Sarosh watch over and protect her as she journeys home).

Full obituary below.

Our story begins a long time ago, in a land far, far away. 92 years ago, in a tiny hamlet in Zanzibar, pregnant Arnavaz was busy playing cards with her friends. Arnavaz, a trailblazer in her own right, awarded the Member of the British Empire for outstanding service, was forced to cut her games short because Freny was eager to enter the world and set it on fire.

Our story fast forwards to 1953 when Freny’s brother introduced her to Jamshed. A few short months later, they were married and moved to cosmopolitan Dar-es-Salaam. They had three loving sons, Neville, Dinyar and Viraf. The family enjoyed the tropical paradise with friends and family until 1971 when they moved to the United States to continue their story.

When they arrived, there were only a few Zoroastrian families in the area. Freny, along with others, got the families together regularly and then helped to establish ZAPANJ in 1979. She assumed the position of President from 1987 to 1993 and in 1994, she successfully co-chaired the FAZANA Convention in Valley Forge.

In 2000, in her living room, she and three women laid the groundwork for ZACUCE in a valiant effort to establish a community center for her ZAPANJ family. While guiding the ZACUCE team, she made time for over a decade to teach our children our religious traditions in order to pass on our values to the future generations. Till the very end, she was committed to her ZAPANJ family.

Throughout the years, Freny cherished her loving family, treasured friends and Zoroastrian Community. Even in her golden years, she found fun at her favorite casino and enjoyed recanting the story of the day she got to touch the Olympic Torch as it passed trough Philadelphia.

She rushed into the world, left an indelible mark and filled our hearts with love.

Mom, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.