Lisa S. Pourpasand

Lisa Pourpasand died peacefully in her sleep on June 24, 2017 in Phoenix, AZ with one of her beloved daughters and two grandsons by her side. Lisa was born on October 16, 1926 in a small town on the outskirts of Moscow, Russia. Born into a loving family, she was the second of five children. As a young woman, Lisa played a critical role in the logistical support of the Russian army during the siege of Moscow in the early 1940’s, transporting food, clothing, and other critical supplies to soldiers on the frontlines. After the war, her family made the decision to immigrate to Iran to escape the terror of the Stalinist regime. It was in Tehran that Lisa’s brother Alosha introduced her to his friend Gregory Pourpasand, and in September of 1949 Lisa and Gregory were united in marriage. Their union was blessed with four children: Robert, Emma, and their twins, Eda and Edmund. Life was difficult for Christians living in Iran in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Lisa and Gregory, determined to move the family in order to secure a better future for their children, prepared to move to Russia. Their application to return to Russia was denied, however. Lisa’s younger sister had previously immigrated to the United States and encouraged the family to join her. In the course of obtaining the proper documents to move from Iran to the U.S., the family name and birthdates were inaccurately translated. When they finally entered the U.S. in January of 1966, Lisa had a new birthday recorded, July 28, 1927. Her children loved to celebrate with her twice a year! Lisa epitomized the Proverbs 31 woman. Family was everything to her and she was a true matriarch. Those who knew her best, including her beloved children, described her as dedicated, committed, loving, compassionate, joyful, generous, courage, full of wisdom, and independent. She made friends out of strangers and was known for her hospitality. Guests were always welcomed with an open heart and left with full stomachs. There was always something on the table to share, with tasteful flavors of Russian-Assyrian and Western cusine. The smells of dolma, piroshki, borscht, gourdou, hareesah, fish, kadeh, nazookie, and Russian paska are a few of her famous delicious dishes. After the death of her husband in 1999, her children encouraged her to relocate from Yonkers, NY to Modesto, CA to be closer to family. Her apartment at Marple Manor was always filled with family and friends, and her skill at creating a warm, comfortable, and loving environment prompted the management at the retirement residence to use her apartment as the “model” to show prospective tenants. She lived happily at this location for 16 years before physical challenges prevented her from living safely on her own. In April 2016, her children moved her to Phoenix where she lived with her eldest daughter and her family. She was lovingly cared for until the Lord called her home on June 24th. Lisa was preceded in death by her husband, Gregory; her brothers, Alosha and Grisha; and her younger sister, Lida. She is survived by her sister, Katherine; son, Robert (Linda) Pourpasand; daughter, Emma Rustam and her grandsons, George, Alan, Steve, and Richard Rustam; daughter, Eda Khizeran and grandson, Sargon, as well as granddaughters, Ninveh and Nahren Khizeran; son, Edmund (Alice) Pourpasand and grandsons, Gregory and Edward Pourpasand. Interment will be at Turlock Memorial Park, 575 N. Soderquist Rd., Turlock. Scripture verse: “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.” Proverbs 31:28 (ESV).

Tributes

Lisa S. Pourpasand

July 28, 1927 - June 24, 2017