Ann Azari

Lifelong civic leader and former Fort Collins mayor Ann Azari, died Sept 16 In Fort Collins. Public memorial services will held at the Fort Collins Senior Center at 4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5. Harriet Ann Coates was born to Spencer and Grace Coates June 20, 1930, in Long Beach, Calif. She married Paul (Parviz) Azari July 21, 1955, in Berkeley, Calif. where she earned a degree in History, from the University of California at Berkeley. The couple and their five children moved to Fort Collins in 1963 when Paul accepted a position at Colorado State University. Azari served three terms as Fort Collins mayor from 1993-1999. She first was elected to the city council in 1989, serving three years as mayor pro tem. During her tenure she was active nationally as chair of the U.S. Department of Commerce Census 2000 Advisory Committee and co-chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Census Task Force. She also served on the National League of Cities Advisory Council. She owned and operated a downtown imports store Caspian Ltd. before joining the Colorado Department of Labor and Employmentfrom 1983 to 1987. In that capacity she served several positions including associate director of the Governor's Job Training Office, Director of Field Operations, and Director of Information Resources. Azari served on the executive board of the Colorado Municipal League and on the boards of member on the Downtown Development Authority, the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, the League of Women Voters of Larimer County, the Platte River Power Authority and Girl Scouts Council. Survivors include husband, Paul; daughters Nina, Katherine (Dan MacArthur), Victoria Loran (Tom); sons Aaron (Anita) and Doran (Kathy); Grandchildren David, Abby, Alyssa, Anthony, Madeline and Ellen. She will be remembered for her love of family life, her sense of humor, intelligence and commitment to bettering her community. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Catholic Charities, 460 Linden Center Drive, Fort Collins, 80524.