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Died: Akhtar Nawzar Ostowari, 88, founder president of the Australian Zoroastrian Association (AZA) of New South Wales; on November 3, 2018 in Sydney.
Regarded as the matriarch of the Zoroastrian community in Sydney, Akhtar will be remembered for her unconditional love, lifelong dedication and generosity for the Zoroastrian community in New South Wales. With her enthusiasm and vibrant personality, the AZA was formed in 1971. Akhtar was its first president planning for its future with enthusiasm and optimism. In one way or the other she was involved in several committees and sub-committees for various AZA activities. Over the years she has been involved in every aspect of AZA, always trying to make improvements and establish a strong unified community through its members and non-members.
But for her and her beloved husband Nawzar’s multifaceted contributions, AZA House would never have eventuated. She was the main donor trustee involved with the finances of AZA. In 1984, Akhtar and Nawzar contributed large sums of money to the funds already raised by AZA members for building a community center and used their personal influence to get more donations from Arbab Rostam and Morvarid Guiv Funds. Thanks to the generosity of the Ostowari family in Sydney and donations received from overseas, the Arbab Rostam and Morvarid Guiv Darbe Meher was inaugurated on July 24, 1994. Akhtar obtained more funds from the Zartoshty brothers, Mehraban and Faridoon, and as per their wish, a library at the AZA House was set up in their names.
A marvellous cook, she had immense passion for cuisine. In recent years, she and her daughter Putli Johnston donated a large sum of money for a practical and functional kitchen for the growing community on vacant land outside the AZA Hall.
"On the home front she made sure all her children got a proper education and shared her husband’s goals and adventures. She was the glue that kept her family together as well as the community she belonged to. And till her last days she demanded this unity from us all,” stated her son Kaikhosrow, adding, "She is one of the few people I know who had a truly full and a good life whereby she touched a lot of lives in a positive way.”

 

 

 

 

 

Akhtar’s house was always open to newcomers, from both the Iranian and Parsi community. She gave her all. Her determination and resolve were contagious. She never backed away from any challenge, and if it was something she believed in, she got everybody involved and succeeded. Apart from her charitable nature, she helped all those in need with her drive and inspiration. Like in the popular television series Everybody Loves Raymond, everyone in AZA loved Akhtar.
Born in Kerman, Iran, following the early passing away of her father, she was raised by her mother who was a very strong and determined woman. Akhtar married Nawzar in 1945 when she was only 15. A close relative took her from Iran to Poona where she was united with Nawzar. He did not speak Farsi and she couldn’t speak any other language which must have made it a very interesting honeymoon and first year of marriage! However, within a year she managed to speak Gujarati fluently followed by English. They had five children, one of them died when he was six months old.
The family moved to Iran in the late 1950s and started a new life there. She was one of the pioneers in helping set up and run the Zoroastrian Women’s Association during the Shah’s time.
In 1967, the Ostowaris migrated to Australia which for her was a very difficult phase. However, as always, she found her strength and determination and made this move into a successful shift — both for her, her family and the community she felt so deeply for.
She was happily married for 61 years before Nawzar passed away in 2006. But her biggest tragedy came when her son Dr Cyrus, a brilliant aerospace engineer, died suddenly at the age of 63 in 2014. Devastated, her health started deteriorating and depression set in. She tried to keep a happy exterior but inside she felt a vacuum.
Active till the end, she touched a lot of lives for the better. She always felt blessed and she was... Although not very religious she did more for the advancement of her religion than most others who claim to cherish their beliefs. She believed in the tenets of good thoughts, good words and good deeds and she acted it every day. She did not need religion for that, just basic common sense. She never forgot where she came from or how far she had come in life.
Akhtar travelled extensively throughout her life, to almost every corner of the world. Wherever she went, she stayed true to her principles and beliefs. For a person with limited education, she discussed with scholars and learned individuals various subjects dear to her heart. She was fearless in her actions and unrelenting in her follow-ups. She was an original feminist, before this word became fashionable.
The respected matriarch is survived by her children Putli Johnston, Kaikhosrow and Shahnaz Mia Ostowari.