Dr. Sneh Raj - Sneh Mausi - Bua - Daadi - is no more.



My Mausi, Dr. Sneh Raj is no more. She died at age 91. She went on her own terms. She said she did not wish any tubes or artificial means of respiration (and such) and her family respected her wishes. All her life she has battled the circumstances she found herself in cheerfully and with enthusiasm. She decided when it was time not to battle any more. 

She made a family and community across three countries -- India, US and Canada. 

When I first landed in Columbus, she was there to pick me up. When Tejasi was born, she was the Daadi available to look after us and to teach me how to wrap Tejasi in a blanket and hold her properly. And was available in every visit to the US and every marriage in India. Her empathy, sympathy and good humor was legendary -- she shared herself generously with all of us. 

On her 90th birthday, her daughter, Madhulika Raj, together with Madhulika Agarwal, made a book of wishes for her. The picture above is the cover. Click here to  download a copy. I had written there what I wanted to say to her. 

Here is an obituary published in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Mausi was the youngest of three sisters. After them three brothers followed. It is difficult to accept that all three sisters -- Kusum Mausi, Mummy and Sneh Mausi, left so soon after each other. All three sisters in their own way were forces of nature. Their force multiplied because of each other. The three Shaktis of this family. 

Their passing is the end of an era.