Having stepped out for her Thursday morning grocery shopping, 71-year-old Shahnaz Pestonji (pictured) was fatally stabbed in a parking lot in North York, Toronto on July 17, 2025. Conducting an extensive search, going from door-to-door, using canine units and drones, and following every investigative lead, the police considered the incident "a robbery that escalated into a deadly attack,” as reported on CNN news. While the name and face of the 14-year-old prime suspect was initially shown on news channels, once he was taken into custody, the identity of the minor was protected.
Mourning "the tragic loss of a beloved community member,” a communiqué from the Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America noted, "We stand in solidarity with her family... and reaffirm our commitment to justice, peace and the sanctity of life.”
Earlier in the month, Shahnaz and husband Soli had celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary. A qualified nurse, Soli described her at the funeral service as "loving, kind, caring and compassionate to all… She led a very simple life, almost like a saint. Material things meant nothing to her. Her greatest pleasure was to read a good book and go for a long walk.”
Their elder daughter Dina gave her credit for making "everyday life more fun for everyone around her.” She appreciated her mother had "this magical ability to transform difficult situations into wonderful moments.” Younger daughter Yasmin and her husband Kinjal, regarded her as an "angel” who instilled "positive values like forgiveness” in the daughters while being devoted to her granddaughter Shayna.
Soli’s sister, Dr Dhun Noria, related how Shahnaz steadfastly served the Canadian war veterans at Sunnybrook Hospital "with endless grace and dignity.” Friendly and cheerful by nature, "she brought people together” through the delectable meals that she cooked. Born in Bombay, from the time marriage brought her to Toronto in 1978, she was an active member of the Zoroastrian Society of Ontario.
Shahnaz was known to be a livewire at Lata’s yoga class. As reminisced Lata, her infectious enthusiasm ensured that all the practitioners enjoyed their session as also the discussions and food that followed. The group dubbed her the "yoga police” for she made sure that no posture was avoided by anyone!