Jyotsna Somabhai Patel

Jyotsna “Joy” Patel, age 79 of San Francisco, peacefully passed away on November 20, 2024, surrounded by her loving daughters. Joy was born on January 17, 1945, in Ahmedabad, India to the late Somabhai and Rukhshmani Patel.  The youngest of five children, Joy grew up in a close multi-generational family that often celebrated special events at their family restaurant in Ahmedabad.

Joy attended Adarsh School as a child before earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Shri H K Arts College in Ahmedabad. Continuing her relentless pursuit of knowledge, she enrolled in law school at Nav Gujarat Law College before making a significant life transition to become one of the first in her family to move to the United States in 1973. She later welcomed many family members as they moved to the United States, providing a home and guidance as they established themselves.  She continuously sacrificed and provided for her family and friends, touching and bettering the lives of those around her.

Joy dedicated 25 years of her professional life to Kmart Corporation, retiring from accounting. Her dedication, hard work, and unwavering integrity allowed her to advance through various roles and support her children. During this time, she built enduring friendships that lasted her lifetime.

Joy had a vibrant personal life filled with an array of interests and deep passions. She was a nurturing gardener, an enthusiastic bird watcher and squirrel feeder, Lover of music and dance, and avid University of Michigan Wolverines fan. As a mother she instilled in her daughters the importance of family, education and hard work. She cherished spending quality time with her family and friends, though her greatest joy came from moments shared with her grandchildren, or as she called them her “monkeys”. Helping to raise them as babies and toddlers, she taught her monkeys how to make rotli, shared her love of gardening, and spoiled them with all the ice cream and cookies they could ever want. As they grew older, she watched with great pride as they pursued their interests, activities and passions, always believing they can do anything they set their mind to and providing the encouragement to “go for it.” Joy was beloved by many for her resilience, grace, endurance, sharp wit, sense of humor, selfless spirit, and an unyielding compassion that extended to everyone she met – even random elevator riders.

A devout Hindu, Joy’s faith was the cornerstone of her existence, guiding her through life’s joys and challenges with unwavering dedication. She embodied gentle yet formidable courage, strength, determination, and wisdom – qualities that left a lasting impression on all who had the fortune to know her.

Joy is survived by her daughters, Sheetal Patel of San Francisco, CA, Rushika (Mitch) Patel-Lipp of Ann Arbor, MI, and Krishna (Jeff) Jelinski of Grosse Pointe Park, MI; her beloved grandchildren Kaylee Jelinski (17), Jayden Jelinski (15), Nasreen Patel-Lipp (14), Karissa Jelinski (14), and Rohan Patel-Lipp (12); and her sister Surya Patel of Erie, CO. She was preceded in death by her brothers Vadilal and Laxman Patel, and her sister Kamala Patel.

To honor Joy’s remarkable life, a ceremony will be held at Berge, Pappas, Smith Chapel of the Angels, 40842 Fremont Blvd., Fremont, CA on November 26th at 11 am, with a public visitation at 9:45 am.

Joy’s presence will be profoundly missed by all who had the honor to meet her. Her legacy of love, wisdom, and strength will continue to live on in the hearts and memories of her daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, family, friends, and all whose lives she touched.