Shirley Lavi

Shirley Lavi was born Akhtar Abishour in Tehran, Iran on Nov 17, 1940 to parents Avraham Abishour and Tova Abishour (maiden name Lahijani). Akhtar means “Star” in the Persian Language. She adopted the name Shirley (after famous child actress Shirley Temple) since it was difficult for Americans to pronounce her Persian name. She immigrated to US when she was 16 to marry Elias Lavi who was also from Tehran, Iran and studying in US. Elias passed away in 2019. She has 6 children; Larry, Laura, Leo (spouse Sima Masjadi), Lorna, Lee (spouse Adriana Belencaia) and Lear (spouse Erica Lewkowicz) and 11 grandchildren. Shirley has a sister Fakhri Geoula (husband Nader Geoula, deceased) and 2 brothers Farhod (spouse Janet Hay) and Abner (spouse Monique Mossi).

Shirley loved Persian songs and music, liked to sing and dance, and had a great singing voice. She loved her family very much and raised her children to be educated, honest, kind, and gentle people. She lived in Cincinnati Ohio close to her 2 daughters and frequently called her sons in California to stay in touch. She was dedicated to her husband Elias and was a caregiver for him the last few years of his life. She also took care of her grandchild Danielle for several years while Lorna was working. Her family loves her deeply, we will miss her, and are grateful for our lives with her. She will always be in our hearts. The world will be less bright without this “Star” in it.