Obituary of Farideh Reed

Farideh Reed, 65, of La Crescenta, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2015, at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. She was born on June 9, 1949, in Tehran, Iran, to Reza and Farah Bigdeli. After graduating high school in Tehran, she continued her education in North Carolina, and later, Margate and London in the United Kingdom. It was in 1972 while studying in London that she met her husband, David Reed. They were married in Tehran in July, 1973 with great celebration, and both worked there until 1976. This was a very happy period in their lives among her large family and many friends. She returned to England with her husband so that he could further his career. They planned to return to Iran after a few years, but the Iranian Revolution in 1979 required them to rethink those plans. However, they were able to visit several times and be with family and friends despite the sadness and difficulty felt by all during the war with Iraq. In England from 1976, she was employed by Iran Air at Heathrow Airport, working as a ticket agent at the check-ins. Her ability to get along with people was a great asset. They lived at Chertsey on the River Thames, just in the English countryside, and later in Ashford, Middlesex. During this period, they enjoyed visiting her "second" Mom and Dad in Margate on numerous occasions. She had stayed with Mr. and Mrs. Day as a language student. They were a retired couple with no children, and were the wonderful salt-of-the-earth type. She treated them like parents and they treated her like their daughter. She stayed in close touch for the rest of their lives, and drew strength from their wisdom, and they drew joy from her love. In this period, a time of some turmoil in her home country, she helped many people with visas, accommodation, health treatment, and just safe haven and friendship. She was gratified to receive extended visits from her family, and to be able to help her father with hospital stays in London. In 1986, she moved to Los Angeles to join her husband where his career had taken him the year before. In California, in November 1986, she gave birth to her son Sebastian, a long hoped for child. This was the happiest moment of her life. Soon, a brother, her mother, sister and family had joined her. She made many good and kind friends in California, Oregon, and beyond, and Los Angeles really became her home. She was a supporter of charities for children in Iran, Save the Children, and St Jude Children's Research Hospital. For several years she was a hospice volunteer with St Joseph's. In sports, she was like Sir Winston Churchill - when she felt the urge coming on to exercise, she would go lie down. From 2008, she experienced episodes of ill health. She would bounce back, but could not fight back this last time. She always bore her illness bravely, and it was still a joy to be with her. She would light up when people came to see her. She was a feisty lady - telling a high ranking army officer shoving to buy a ticket at the Tehran railway station, "who do you think you are?" - taking a bottle of vodka and a bottle of whiskey for her favorite uncle when visiting Iran in 1979 - In religious matters, always ready to argue, even demand equal treatment for women. She is survived by her loving husband David, her son and his wife Sebastian and Samantha Reed of Cypress, and their son Joshua; her sister Fereshteh Bigdeli of La Canada, brother Fariborz Bigdeli of Rancho Palos Verdes, nieces Yasmin Harris of Monrovia and Kristina Bigdeli of Redondo Beach, nephews Saman Alem of La Canada, and Bobak and Behdad Bigdeli of Tehran. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Faramarz Bigdeli of Tehran, and beloved dog Georgie. A memorial service will be held at the Home of Sebastian and Samantha Reed at 8392 Birch Street, Cypress, CA 90630 on Sunday, April 26, 2015, at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: St Jude Children's Research Hospital.