Update: Memorial Service held in memory of mum on 17 July. Many of her family and friends attended the special day. £213 was raised in her memory for PCRF. http://animoto.com/play/QcWT1mIIc2ajqEYtsxihOg 

Motiben Meghji Shah

Born 14 November 1934 and passed away 14 July 2010.

Daughter of Late Kachra Bhimji and Late Waliben Kachra Bhimji

She was so much to so many of us, always smiling, always laughing…

Mami, masi, faiba, kaki, a friend to so many…

Beloved Wife, Mother,Sasu, Nani and Dadi

She provided so much guidance and support to the whole family keeping us all together through thick and thin, through good times and bad.

There is so much we want to say and yet it is sometimes difficult to find the words……but I will try.

Over the years mum has been through a lot. Born in Sodasla, one of 3 sisters and 5 brothers. She lost her parents at an early age, married when she was only a child herself at the tender age of 12 to Meghji Lalji Karania. Moved to Nairobi at age 17 travelling to a foreign country on her own following dad who had travelled ahead. Here they set up home for the next 21 years. This was where all her children were born.

First came Gita, then Kaushi, then Vina. You would have thought that would have been enough. But not for mum. She went on to have Priti, Nila, Sumita, Chandan and finally Bhikhu. She had her netball team and referee.  In reality, we struggle with one or two kids, can you imagine how hard it is to bring up 8 kids. Yet, we all have so many memories of our times in Kenya. 

In 1973, when her youngest was only 8 months old, with Dad, the whole family moved to UK where we settled.

Through the years, she continued to work hard bringing up all us up as well as helping dad in the shop.

As we grew older, one by one the girls got married. Firstly Gita, this was the hardest one for mum as Gita had been mum’s biggest helper through the years. Each of us getting married was hard for her (although perhaps a relief too). Throughout our lives, she was always providing us with her support, giving her guidance especially when we called her to ask her advice.

As each of us in turn became mothers and a father, she provided us with help in brining them up, something only a nani and dadi can do.

Beloved Nani of Mehul, Amir, Raj, Biraag, Ashik, Nikhita and Akshay. And Dadi of Vinnay. She looked after our kids too.

Over the last 15 years, she has looked after dad single-handedly.

Having had such a hard life for so many years, it seemed that life was not going to get any easier.

On 16 March 2010, she was suddenly taken ill with jaundice. Test upon test and after a very painful time in hospital, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

However, mum’s independence, strength, determination and positiveness (characters which were so much a part of her), these characters were going to show us an even bigger side to her, her fighting spirit and will power.

Through the pain she suffered in hospital, she was determined she would get better. We remember how much the doctors and nurses commented on the fact that she was always laughing and giggling regardless of the pain she was going through.

Therefore, with the help of all of her children, she slowly got herself back to full mobility. During the last 4 months we all get to spend time with her and dad individually.

Who knew that our quality time with her was to be cut short so quickly.

Suddenly on Friday 9 July, she came down with symptoms of jaundice again. She so had not wanted to go back. Unfortunately, this was to be her last time in hospital. Mum was unable to fight the infection that took over her body.

On 14 July 2010, at 9.50pm, with all of us by her side, mum’s soul left her body.

Beloved wife, mother, sasu, nani and dadi, providing us all with her unconditional love.

Motiben Meghji Shah

God rest your soul

OM SHANTI, OM SHANTI, OM SHANTI