Usha Girish Parekh

Usha Girish Parekh, age 83, departed for her heavenly abode on December 20, 2024 in San Jose, California, surrounded by her loving family. Ushaben as she was fondly called, was born on January 25, 1941 in Mumbai India to the late Shri Jayantilal Chabildas Gandhi and Shrimati Manjula Jayantilal Gandhi. The eldest of 4 siblings, she grew up in a close multi-generational family in Vasai, Thane District, Maharashtra. She shared a strong bond with her two brothers Arun Jayantilal Gandhi and Bipin Jayantilal Gandhi and with her sister, Renuka Jayantilal Gandhi. Her love for her grandmother, Jadaomaa Chabildas Gandhi, knew no bounds. 

Ushaben was married to Girish Tansukhlal Parekh for 55 years. Ushaben and Girishbhai were proud parents of their only child, Rajesh Girish Parekh. She inculcated the values of a strong family bond, education, hard work, and living a simple life full of empathy in her son, Rajesh. When Rajesh was ready for grade school, she convinced her entire family to get him educated in an English medium school. She single-handedly managed the household and helped Rajesh with his school and extra-curricular activities. She inspired Rajesh to aim for the stars and made innumerable sacrifices so he could pursue graduate studies in the United States of America. 

A deeply spiritual person, Ushaben was a devotee of Lord Shankar, Lord Ganesh, and Sai Baba. She regularly visited the Ramkrishna Math Temple in Khar, Mumbai. Her faith prompted her to visit the twelve ‘Jyotirlinga’ temples and the ‘Ashtavinayak’ temples in India. She believed strongly that the almighty gave her formidable courage and strength to face adversity and overcome numerous challenges that came her way. 

Ushaben loved food, especially different varieties of Indian ‘farsan’ and ‘mistan’! Even in her last days, she enjoyed ‘pani puri’, one of her favorite dishes. She was an excellent cook. Her signature dish, the ‘dudhi halva’, is fondly remembered by all our family and friends.

She often complained that Girish and Rajesh did not speak much at all! She was delighted that her daughter-in-law, Vaidehi, is so much more sociable and communicated all of life’s ups and downs with her. She was a doting grandmother of Jash and Nidhi and showered her love and blessings on them every day. Much to the anguish of Rajesh and Vaidehi, she always had a secret stash of goodies for her grandchildren. 

Ushaben was an inspiration to all who had the pleasure of knowing her. She could not bear to see suffering in anyone and went out of her way to help in every way she could. From assisting a young milkman to get a permanent job to preparing afternoon tea and snacks everyday for the watchmen in her housing society and from taking care of elderly neighbors as her own parents to watching over our neighbors children whenever their parents needed her to, Ushaben’s small acts of kindness and generosity made a huge difference in the lives of many. Although she did not hold any formal position, she was always focused on doing what is right. Several of her friends and neighbors fondly recall how she courageously made the rounds of the Mumbai municipality to find a permanent solution to the water shortage that had affected her housing society for years by coaxing the officers to install an additional water line. 

Ushaben is survived by her loving family Girish, Rajesh, Vaidehi, Jash, and Nidhi, her younger brother Bipin Gandhi and her niece Ankeeta Manish Sheth. She is preceded in death by her brother Arun Gandhi and sister Renuka Gandhi.

Ushaben’s presence will be missed dearly. We take inspiration from her courage, kind heartedness, and pragmatism and pray that she will continue to shower her blessings on us every day.

Jai Shri Krishna.