Mehrdokht (Mehry) Granfar, 83, of Franklin died peacefully on December 29 after a twelve-year battle with Alzheimer’s.
Mehry was born in Tehran, Iran. At a time when many women did not have access to a college education, Mehry obtained degrees in Law, Architecture (University of Florence), English Language, and finally an MBA (Tehran University/Harvard Affiliated Program). She worked as a City Planner and became the first woman to hold a high public office in Iran when she was appointed to be the Director of Programming and Control of Housing.
Mehry was forced to leave Iran with her husband and sons during the Iranian Revolution of 1978 due to the persecution of members of the Bahá’í religion under the new regime. After living for some time in Italy and England, she built a new life in Brazil, spending many years in Recife before moving to Blumenau in 1993. She moved to Franklin to live with her son in 2011.
Mehry will always be remembered for her spirit of friendliness and hospitality. Her home was open to all, and she prepared wonderful lunches and dinners for everyone. She loved to be surrounded by friends and family, and was a wonderful grandmother to her 7 grandchildren. She loved to play card games such as Bridge and Canastra.
Mehry is survived by her son Orod Bavar and his wife Cheryl, of Westborough, and her son Amir Bavar and his wife Jennifer, of Franklin.
Mehry is survived by her siblings, Mashid Afiatpour, of Vienna, VA, and Mehran Granfar, of Blumenau, Brazil.
Mehry was the sister of the late Bahman Granfar.
She is also survived by her husband, Cyrus Bavar, of Tehran, Iran.
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sarah Bavar, Shadi Bavar, Natalie Bavar, Niki Bavar, Navid Bavar, Adehl Bavar, and Shayan Bavar.
Her memorial service will be held on Thursday, January 3, from noon until 2:00 PM at the Ginley Funeral Home of Franklin,(www.ginleyfuneralhomes.com) 131 Main Street, Franklin. The burial at the Union Street Cemetery, Franklin, will immediately follow the service.