Mercy was born on June 26th, 1936, in Gilasspipur, a village around Anand to Stephen Macwan and Jivkor, and was the youngest of 5 sisters, Cathy, Ellen, Ruth, Keroline, and had one older brother, John, and one younger brother, James. Mercy completed her Master's in Arts from Sardar Patel University in the late 1950s and she also received a Master's in Education from MS University in Gujarat. Mercy was a History Professor at Wadia Women's College in Surat for 32 years and retired. Mercy married Prahlad Gavali in 1966. She had two children, Jyoti, and Deepak. She went on to have three grandkids, Aarya, Aditya, and Purab.
Mercy had a passion for cooking and traveling. She traveled extensively in India with her two children. In the later years of her life, she traveled with a senior center to Europe, Alaska, and Hawaii. She spent much time between California and Texas, where her two children and their families resided, and was known for making friends with all their neighbors. No matter where she was, she easily managed to foster a community whether it was to have a potluck together, carpool to church, get coffee, or sit outside and talk.
Mercy had a warm presence. She deeply loved her family and will always be so loved by them. She actively watered relationships with her grandkids, and all close family members when there was an opportunity. Her laugh was sweet and distinct and cannot be forgotten.
Being a young female academic in a newly independent India was a big accomplishment. But importantly, raising her family of two, small children as a young widow, guarding them, and ensuring their learning and success in the patriarchal society of 19th century was a monumental task – one that she did not fall short in completing. Mercy's journey was not an easy one. We acknowledge that her hardships could have made her hard; instead, she grew into a shining matriarch of our family. She became the support for her children and grandchildren. We revel in the joyous, light-spirited, candid and determined woman she proved to be. These adjectives are not easy to represent, especially so consistently.
We honor her memory, and the legacy she left in her children and family members and commemorate the example of her spirit that fuels our love for humanity. May she rest in peace and happiness with her divine family in Heaven.
Please join us for lunch after the committal service at 252 Serenity Court, Coppell, Texas 75019.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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