Shamci Rafani

Shamci Rafani (1933-2014) Shamci Rafani, our beloved Mother, wife, sister, aunt, grandmother, and loved and respected friend has passed at the age of 80 on June 14, 2014. In 1933, Shamci Rafani was born in a small city, named Damghan, in Iran; to Seyed Nooreddin Gharavi and Behjat Gharavi. She enjoyed a large family with 8 siblings. She was preceded in death by, and now reunites with: her beloved Mother and Father, oldest and youngest brothers Jamal and Jalal, her dear older sister Ezzat, and the love of her life, Dr. Iraj Rafani. Shamci embodied a vivacious and energetic spirit her entire life. She was an inspiring example of the powers of love, devotion, survival and tenacity. At the tender age of 17, she first met her great love, Iraj Rafani. She completed her studies in Tehran, but was primarily schooled in the town from which her family originated, Shiraz. Shamci was a dedicated and passionate teacher while in Iran, but together she and her husband moved to America where they had 3 children together and began to build their life with their loving family. Though they did not remain together through the later years of their lives, Shamci remained profoundly in love, and deeply committed to Iraj until the day she died. She had a fierce independence and in her final decades became an impassioned writer, completing several self-published memoirs as well as numerous volumes of poetry. She adored mind-stimulating activities like her beloved game of bridge and would travel excitedly around the country, with her independence and self-reliance inspiring awe in nearly all who encountered her. Poetry, writing, gardening, crochet, Sudoku and watching Jeopardy helped fill any openings in her busy schedule. Most of all, she cherished the happy times she spent with family and friends. Shamci is survived by daughter and son-in law, Mary and Foster Steel; son and daughter in-law, Maseeh and Mendie Rafani; Daughter Mojgan Scheidler and ex-son-in-law, Joseph Scheidler; grandchildren, Samantha and Hana Scheidler and Jack Steel, and her siblings Azar, Sinah, Javad and Saideh. Please join us to celebrate Mrs. Rafani’s life at 11AM on Saturday, June 28th at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. 127 East Caldwell Ave. Visalia, Ca. 93277-7197 1 (559) 635-1144 Donations in her name may be sent to the following charity to which she was steadfastly devoted. St. Jude's Children's Hospital Donate by mail: 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 800-822-6344 www.stjude.org There is a direct link to “DONATE NOW” Then a place to check "Dedicate my donation" _____________________________ We would like to express our sincerest appreciation to our family and dear friends for all their love and support.

Shamci Rafani

July 21, 1933 - June 14, 2014