Peacefully at home surrounded by love, on April 22, 2019, after a year-long illness. Beloved and devoted wife of the late Ramesh Mehta, to whom she was married for almost 40 years. Loving mother to Bella (Sanjay) and Sheila (Calvin), and intensely proud grandmother of Maxwell, Samantha, Kamren and Kiren. Adoring daughter of Mena and Balvantrai Hansoti, and dear sister to Urmi (Pannalal), Leena (Champaklal) and Girish (Nita). Daughter-in-law of the late Champa Mehta. Cousin, auntie and second mother to many close relatives in Canada, the US, England and India.
A highly educated, confident and glamourous Gujarati woman, Mom was born, raised and educated in India. After graduating from university with degrees in Sociology and Law, she moved to London, England to begin her career. In 1964, she came to Canada, first to Toronto and then to Ottawa, to embark upon adventures in life with Dad. Mom’s career as a market research executive flourished. She started the Ottawa office of Contemporary Research Centre (CRC) from scratch and developed this successful business over many years. A remarkable woman ahead of her time, Mom was named Vice President of Goldfarb Consultants in 2000. She was admired and respected for her work ethic, intelligence and strategic thinking.
At home, we absolutely adored her. Mom was the centre of our family’s world. She loved us unconditionally and raised us to believe we could do anything. Mom was a problem-solver and an optimist with boundless energy. Our family life was full of friends, fun, delicious food and nights playing rummy and canasta until the wee hours. We will never forget how Mom cared for Dad when he became ill. She demonstrated strength and courage despite the devastating loss of the love of her life.
Mom was “Amma” to her cherished grandchildren. Her eyes lit up when she saw them. She loved their individual personalities and built a strong mutual love with each of them. Time with Amma meant the warmth of her hugs, intense card games, lots of golf talk and the best gingerbread cookies ever.
Retirement found mom in the company of amazing friends, old and new. She nurtured deep and lasting relationships, and was a confidante to many. She reveled in social interaction and could converse about anything from economics and finance to fashion and pop culture. She excelled at bridge, golf, and billiards, loving the challenge of competition. Travel and opera became new passions for a woman who never stood still.
This past year took Mom’s energy and her health, but not her spirit. We thank everyone for supporting her endlessly throughout her illness. Mom was part of many communities and everyone rallied to help. We know you all grieve with us. Our family owes a great debt of gratitude to Cory Espiritu for caring for Mom at home with tremendous tenderness and love.
Mom remained dignified, courageous and brave. Her loss affects us profoundly; life will never be the same. Mom, we will always love you.
A Funeral Service will be held in the Sacred Space of Beechwood, Cemetery and Funeral Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Sunday, April 28, at 2 o’clock with reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Ottawa Hospital Foundation – Geriatric Assessment Unit, 737 Parkdale Ave, Ottawa, ON K1Y 1J8, or www.ohfoundation.ca/tribute-gift, are appreciated.
Livre de visiteurs
Peggy Stewart
Frank Paterson
It was a pleasure knowing Sudha. She always had a wonderful smile!
Kate Fawkes
I was very sorry to hear of Sudha’s passing. She was a dear friend of my mother Marion when they worked together in Toronto. I have many fond memories of her as a dynamic, witty, elegant and very kind woman. As a child, I had no appreciation for the number of stereo-types and glass ceilings both Sudha and my mother were breaking in the 1960s. What amazing pioneers we had the privilege to know!
Dear Mehta Family -
My mother, sisters and I knew Sudha when she worked with Contemporary Research Corporation in Toronto. She was always a great favorite of us all. I remember visiting her home for dinner and being dazzled by gold-leaf flakes adorning a sumptuous dessert, and admiring the lush colors of her many saris, some of which she gave to us to make dresses from. I was a teenager then. Much time has passed, and our mother, Marion Fawkes, has passed away also, leaving us in 2008. Both Mom and Sudha were wonderful women, and were great friends and colleagues all those years ago. Please accept our condolences, and know that all the lovely tributes to Sudha today were equally felt by those who knew her so long ago.