Mazie Sonia Bodden Movassaghi PhD

The Episcopal Church of the Ascension will celebrate the life of Mazie Sonia Bodden Movassaghi, 79, of Lafayette, Louisiana, on Saturday, December 9, at 10:00 a.m. Mazie died on December 3, 2023, with her children by her side. She is preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Dr. Kam K. Movassaghi. Mazie was born on May 30, 1944, in Roatan, Honduras, to Mary Norman and Leonard Bodden. At the age of 16, she and an aunt immigrated to the United States where she finished her high school education. After marrying Kam, they moved from New Orleans to Baton Rouge where she completed her undergraduate and master’s degree at LSU. While living in Iran, Mazie completed her PhD in French literature before moving back to the US with her son in 1979 at the start of the Iranian Revolution. Once the family was reunited, she and Kam took jobs at USL (now UL-Lafayette) where she taught French, Spanish and English as a Second Language, and they settled in Lafayette and raised two children. Mazie spent the majority of her career in the Department of Modern Languages at USL, serving on various committees including the Faculty Senate. She was an incredible teacher with high standards, and many of her students remembered her for years after they graduated. During that time, she was also active in her children’s activities, including serving on various committees for the Episcopal School of Acadiana. She chaired the parent-faculty group twice, served on the Board of Trustees, and contributed to the success of the school by chairing school fundraisers and working swim meets or bingo. When the couple moved to Baton Rouge because of Kam’s job at DOTD, she taught at Southern University before retiring. Mazie was actively sought to serve on boards, chair committees, and run campaigns in the Acadiana area. A natural leader and truly sophisticated woman, she worked tirelessly for any group with which she was associated. She was an active member of the Krewe of Victoria for many years, serving as treasurer. Notably, she was a member of the Marquis de Lafayette committee and chaired the Marquis de Lafayette Festival, served Ascension’s altar guild, and was appointed to the founding board for Lafayette Central Park/Moncus Park where she made Moncus Park a reality for us to enjoy today. Not one to sit still for long, she fulfilled a personal goal of becoming a Master Gardner and became president and treasurer of the Lafayette Parish Master Gardeners Association, ultimately achieving certification as an Advanced Master Gardener. Mazie’s passion for gardening is a metaphor for the way she affected everyone’s life: everything she touched blossomed into success, beauty, and was cared for with tenderness and affection. She was a true servant-leader to her family, friends, and organizations and, like Kam, believed in public service and in living a life of integrity. Those who were touched by her always admired and respected the true class that she personified. Mazie is survived by her two children, Eric (Kat) of Lafayette, LA, and Jennifer (Jimmy) Moffett of Houston, TX, and three grandchildren: Josie and Mazie Camille (her namesake) Movassaghi, and Tripp Moffett. She leaves behind numerous siblings, nieces, nephews and godchildren in Louisiana, New York, and Honduras. Mazie was extremely proud of her family’s accomplishments, but none would have been possible without Mazie’s support and sacrifice throughout the years: she is the true hero of the Movassaghi family. Visitation will take place from 9-10 a.m. at Ascension with the Rite of Christian Burial to follow. A reception will be held afterward at the home of Eric and Kat Movassaghi. In lieu of flowers, please donate to this fund with which the Lafayette Parish Master Gardeners will honor her through a natural legacy (www.cfacadiana.org ≥ Donate to a Fund ≥ Donate by Credit Card ≥ Mazie Movassaghi’s Gardeners Fund) or to The Kam and Mazie Movassaghi Endowed Civil Engineering Support Fund with the UL Foundation at give.louisiana.edu (Select Academic Colleges ≥ Engineering ≥ type the scholarship name in the comment field or send a check to the UL Foundation, P. O. Box 44290, Lafayette, LA 70504, specifying the fund). Personal condolences may be sent to the family of Mazie Sonia Bodden Movassaghi at: www.delhommefuneralhome.com Mazie Sonia Bodden Movassaghi and her family were cared for and entrusted final arrangements to Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. December 2023.

Mazie Sonia Bodden Movassaghi PhD

May 30, 1944 - December 3, 2023