Anna Gupta

Anna Mathews Gupta was born on April 6, 1921, in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Kerala is a state in the southern part of India, bordering the southwestern coast, beside the Indian Ocean. It is known for its high rate of literacy and relatively high percentage of Christians, in a predominantly Hindu country. Anna was the second youngest in a large family. Anna's family lived in an ancestral home on the outskirts of the city, in what is known as the “backwaters,” a scenic area, on the banks of a river. Life revolved around the river, which was not just a source of transportation and food. Anna recalled bathing in the river, and jumping in for fun many times a day as a young child. She grew to be a skilled swimmer.

As a teenager, Anna wanted to be a doctor. She applied to Vellore Christian Medical College in the adjacent state of Tamil Nadu, but was told the college was not accepting females into the medical program till the following year. Rather than wait a year (she has always been slightly impatient), she accepted an offer to the nursing program, enrolling at Vellore at the age of 17. Anna trained first as a nurse and midwife. She recalled delivering many babies on her own, in remote villages, under very difficult conditions. Over the years, Anna worked up the ranks at Vellore to become an o.r. nurse, head nurse, “sister tutor” (clinical instructor) and administrator. While at Vellore, Anna's faith continued to grow, as she was exposed to people of many Christian denominations, and indeed, people of many faiths. Although Vellore had been founded by Christian missionaries, its vision was to provide outstanding medical care and healing to all individuals, regardless of their financial situation, and regardless of their faith. Anna was inspired by the stories of Dr. Ida S. Scudder, and Dr. Ida B., as well as by the many other missionaries she came to know, work alongside, and befriend. Twice during the 1950's Anna won scholarships to attend university in the U.S., at Wayne State in Detroit, obtaining both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Nursing. During her Master’s, Anna focused on the development of international nursing degree programs. While studying in Detroit, Anna explored Michigan and parts of Canada on excursions and holidays with friends, who were often themselves the families of her missionary friends. After earning each degree, Anna returned to Vellore.

Anna was subsequently hired as Dean of the College of Nursing, Delhi University, in New Delhi India. It was there that she met and married her husband of nearly 40 years, Sunil in 1961. Sunil was a career army officer, serving in the Indian Army when it was an extension of the British Army. He was a Hindu, from Bengal, a different state of India. Theirs was a “love match” (as opposed to an arranged marriage) and a “mixed marriage” (being of two different faiths), unique among all their siblings, and very unusual (if not downright scandalous) for the time. Both Anna and Sunil were greatly influenced by the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi, by India's struggle for independence from the British, and by the ideal of a united, democratic, free India, a country that strove for tolerance and harmony among people of various ethnicities, languages and religions. Jaya was born two years later, in 1963.

In 1968, the family immigrated to Canada, settling in Windsor. Anna had been sponsored by the University of Windsor to to serve as Professor of Nursing, and to launch its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Anna worked at the university for many years, going on to become the Director of the School of Nursing for two terms. After her retirement, she continued to be active in research, setting up conferences and fundraising for the university. She was awarded the title of Professor Emeritus, and subsequently was a recipient of the prestigious Clark Award, for outstanding voluntary service to the University of Windsor. Anna has always seen herself as a nurse, first and foremost. She is a beloved teacher and mentor to many generations of nurses.

Anna was active as a volunteer in many educational, social, and philanthropic organizations. She was a founding member of the South Asian Centre of Windsor. She did early work in breast cancer screening and awareness. She was active in her church (first Knox, then St. Andrew's Presbyterian). She was very active in fundraising for Vellore, which also necessitated committee work with the Christian Council of Churches.

An excellent cook, Anna had a reputation as a gracious hostess. Her home was a nexus for friends and family from near and far, and a safe haven for students a long way from home. Anna loved to travel, and saw much of the the world. But Windsor, ON was home for over 50 years, on the banks of another river.

No flowers please. In lieu, donations gratefully accepted to either the University of Windsor (“Anna Gupta Scholarship Fund”), or to CMCHospitals.ca (“Anna Gupta Nursing Scholarship”). Please join us in remembering Anna by visiting her memorial at www.andersonfuneralhomewindsor.com.