Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Research in Honor of Nahal Panah

After just five weeks from onset of symptoms, Nahal, beloved mother, wife and grandmother, passed away peacefully on July 14, 2025. She was at home surrounded by all her loved ones until the very last minute.

Our mom was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a form of prion disease, just 13 days prior. CJD is a rare, neurodegenerative disease that happens to one in one million people. At present, there is no treatment or cure.

With the guidance of top neurologists and researchers at Mass General Hospital, we are passionately pursuing ways to help with CJD research, so that other families don't experience the pain we have endured.

In lieu of flowers, we are asking our loved ones to donate to Prion Alliance. Prion Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit devoted exclusively to advancing scientific research towards a treatment or cure for prion disease.

Prion Alliance was founded by Eric Minikel and Sonia Vallabh (husband and wife) after learning that Sonia inherited a genetic mutation that causes prion disease (see her TED Talk here). They changed their careers to become scientists and devote their lives to a cure. They earned their PhDs at Harvard Medical School and established a prion laboratory at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, where they work on developing therapeutics for prion disease.

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us one step closer to unlocking the mysteries of prion diseases like CJD and finding effective treatments. Please consider donating in honor of our amazing mother to support Prion Alliance's vital work. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

All our love,

Firooz, Lily and Cathy Panah

In Loving Memory of Nahal Panah

July 19, 1958 – July 14, 2025

Nahal Panah, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother “Nini”, passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on July 14, 2025, just five days shy of her 67th birthday.

Born in Shiraz, Iran, Nahal lived a life defined by quiet grace, steadfast dedication, and the purest love for her family and friends. She met the love of her life, Firooz, during their freshman year of college in Shiraz. After immigrating to the United States, she completed dental school at Boston University and went on to pursue a successful career in dentistry, becoming the first female dentist to own a private practice in Melrose, MA. She was actively involved in numerous professional dentistry organizations.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Nahal lived a life rich with love and beauty. She cherished traveling the world with her husband, finding joy in new cultures and experiences. A lover of the arts, she enjoyed visiting museums, live theater, going to the symphony, and seeing Broadway performances. She was an avid film enthusiast and a devoted member of local garden, book, and opera clubs. She was also an active member of the Iranian Association of Boston, always passionate about fostering cultural connection.

Nahal had a heart of gold and made a lasting impression among all who knew her as someone who always brought people together and would fill the room with kindness and laughter. She cared deeply about her friends, and nurtured those relationships all the way from kindergarten and grade school, to college, dental school, and beyond. She was incredibly thoughtful - never forgetting a birthday or anniversary and always making holidays feel magical. Her home was always full of warmth and laughter, joyful celebrations, and the delicious smell of homemade Persian food.

She is survived by her loving husband of over four decades, Firooz; her two daughters and sons-in-law, Lily and Adam, and Cathy and Chris; and her adoring grandchildren, Olivia and Cameron. Her kindness, wisdom, and quiet strength will live on in each of them.

A private interment for family will be held at Puritan Lawn Memorial Park in Peabody, MA. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made in Nahal’s honor to support Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) research.

Nahal’s memory will forever remain a light in the lives of those who knew and loved her.