Nergess Nejad Gashti

The Success Story of Nergess Gashti Nergess “Nikki” Nejad Gashti, age 67, died October 27, 2010. She was born June 14, 1943 in Tabriz, Iran. Nergess came from very humble beginnings. She lost both of her parents at 11 years of age, and was raised by her older sister. Nergess had to grow up very quickly, learning how to perform tasks of an adult at a very early age. As with most people, a pivotal moment in her life came at the age of 18. Convinced that education was the only rational way out of poverty, she moved from Tabriz to Tehran to attend nursing school, much to the chagrin of her older sister. In Tehran, Nergess became a nurse and moved back to her hometown of Tabriz to start her career. In her hometown hospital, Nergess met Enayat Gashti, the man who would become her husband and father to her children. After their wedding, Nergess and Enayat moved to Enayat’s home in Rasht, Iran. Their first son, Michael Gashti, was born, and soon thereafter the Gashti family acquired a United States citizenship and moved to Chicago, Illinois. Their second son, Alexander Gashti, was born in 1977 in Chicago. Nergess worked as a staff nurse at Northwestern University Hospital as well as a homemaker until the family moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. There, mom continued to work, parent, and attend Indiana University earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1986 and Master of Science degree in 1990. Nergess became one of the first mid-level practitioners in the state of Indiana. She was devoted to education, and firmly believed in its role for individual success. She was a member of the American Nursing Association, and was the recipient of the Sigma Theta Tau Award while in nursing school; this award is bestowed to nursing students who demonstrate the highest academic honor. Nergess wrote Chapter 11 on Self Care Deficit Theory in the book “Nursing Theorists and Their Work.” English was the woman’s fourth language. Following in her footsteps, Mike and Alex both pursued college educations and were able to gain employment in health care in their own rite. She was enormously proud of both of her sons and their accomplishments. Nergess wore many hats; she worked as a Nurse Practioner for over twenty years. Her last position was her favorite, working at Greenfield First Care with Trevor Lloyd Jones. Nergess also tutored nursing students who had difficulty passing their state board examination, in many cases offering her services gratis. Additionally, Nergess was a missionary traveling to Iran after an earthquake ravaged a small village. There, she worked the triage tents and administered healthcare services for earthquake victims displaced from their homes. She also sponsored a young child who had lost her entire family in the earthquake. The child is now attending high school. While on her mission to Iran, Nergess also taught healthcare professionals triage essentials at a local university in Iran. Nikki was a very spiritual member of the Second Presbyterian Church. She had a great love of her family, the common man, and God. Mom reserved the most praise for her children, grandchildren, and family. Nergess spent the last remaining days of her life surrounded by her family in Iran and America. Nikki is survived by her husband, Enayat Nejad Gashti; her sons, Michael Nejad Gashti and Alexander Nejad Gashti (his wife, Stacey); and sisters, Touran, Pouran, and Fatameh. Visitation will be Saturday 11 am until services at 1pm (10-30-2010) in Flanner and Buchanan Washington Park East Funeral Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Chicago, IL 60642.