Shahpar Foradi Johansen

“Shahpar saw the good in everyone…must be because there was so much of it in her.”

Shahpar Johansen passed away peacefully in her home on January 19, 2018, surrounded by her loving family. She spent her final days with her husband of 32 years and their five children. Shahpar and her husband, Dr. Olaf Johansen, resided in Indianapolis for over 25 years.

She was 58 years old.

Shahpar was a compassionate, loving, positive, and caring woman who always put others’ needs before her own.

She battled cancer for the past two years with tremendous dignity and grace. Throughout her fight, she continued to enjoy life to the fullest, always making time for friends, family, and golf.

Shahpar Foradi Johansen was born in Tehran, Iran, on November 23,1959 to the late Nosrat and Ali Foradi. She and her family immigrated to the United States in 1977 and settled in Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Information Technology from Indiana University Purdue University – Indianapolis.

Career – She began her career in Boston as a computer engineer for Prime Computers. She married Olaf in 1986, and within four years gave birth to a daughter and two sets of twins. She spent the next 20 years as the CEO of the Johansen household, raising her five children. More recently, she worked as an adjunct professor of Computer Science in Indianapolis.

Hobbies/Interests – Shahpar was a very talented athlete and enjoyed playing many sports throughout her life. Over the past 35 years, she was an avid runner, an enthusiastic soccer player, and a champion golfer.

Shahpar was an active member of her book club, allowing her to engage with friends through her love of reading. Shahpar loved to travel, and spent much of her life exploring the world with her husband -much of it on motorcycles.

Shahpar’s beaming personality and her selfless nature made her easy to love. She will always serve as her children’s role model and the love of her husband’s life.

In addition to her husband, Olaf, she is survived by her five children –  her pride and joy: Alexandra (and husband Jay Laughlin) of Chicago, IL; Blake of Los Angeles, CA; Alyssa of Los Angeles, CA; Vanessa of Boston, MA.; and Samantha of Chicago, IL.

Shahpar is also survived by her devoted sister, Shabnam Foradi of Washington, DC; brother, Shahman Foradi, his wife Ladan and her two nieces, Victoria and Juliette of Orlando, FL; and brothers Djahanshah Djawanshiri and Djahanbakhsh Djawanshiri of Germany.

Shahpar serves as an inspiration for being such a loving wife, nurturing mother, supportive sister, and loyal friend. She touched so many lives with her neverending kindness. Everyone who came into contact with her adored her. She showed great strength throughout her life and her grand struggle ended in peace.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, January 25, from 5-8pm at the Eiteljorg Museum in downtown Indianapolis.

In lieu of flowers, the Johansen family offers the option of donating to a cause that was meaningful to Shahpar: Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy in Chicago, IL. Prieto serves low-income students, many of whom are recent immigrants to the U.S. Shahpar frequently visited and volunteered at this K-8 school, where her daughter Alexandra teaches.

All donations made in Shahpar’s name will go toward instructional programming for students at Prieto. The Johansen Family has set up an account with the school to acknowledge gifts. [Tax ID# 29997-7109-06]. Checks can be made payable to Dr. Jorge Prieto Math and Science Academy, 2231 North Central Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60639.