Indumati Babubhai Patel

Indumati was born in Dharmaj (Gujarat) in 1930 as the eldest child in the family. Her native was Nadiad. She grew up along with three brothers and four sisters in Bombay where her father had a business. Coming from a relatively affluent family, she enjoyed club memberships, automobiles, horse riding, photography and a vacation home in Panchgini. She was an expert swimmer and could dive from a 2nd story. At age 16 she learned driving and she would dare driving car in mountainous terrains of Mahableshwar and Panchgini. She had a passion for sewing and enjoyed her hobby till recent months.

Very outgoing and social, she influenced countless people during her life. Yet for a lifelong, she was a dedicated mother and a house wife. She only finished high school but her practical knowledge far exceeded her formal education. She was a problem solver, inventor at home and devised many things in house that would make her life easy, particularly when her functionality was limited due to arthritis. She was an excellent cook and won prizes in various competitions.

When her conservative parents did not approve, she would enroll her sister in a dance academy for three years and support her without parent’s knowledge! She enrolled yet another sister in a singing class without parent’s knowledge. All brothers and sisters remember her as enforcer of good rules and house keeping in the house. She had been a lifelong inspiration and a guide to all younger brothers and sisters throughout her life time. She practically played a role of head of the house hold for her side of the family. She had told the family that she would like to donate all her organs upon her death.

In 1954 Indumati got married with Babubhai. Mokshada, Priyadarshi and Sharmila were born in 1955, 1959 and 1962 respectively. For next twenty some years, they would dedicate their lives raising kids and fulfilling their needs.

In 1993 both immigrated to US and became citizens in 1998. They are survived by all three children and six grandchildren named Malvi, Krushang, Shalvi, Neil, Niral and Sonika. Their hard work and dedication finally paid off. For past 18 years, they got to live in the same town (San Antonio) with all the children and most of the grandchildren.

The family will miss their presence in flesh, but in spirit they will be with the family forever. May god rest their souls in peace.