My Beloved Sister Shehernavaz 3'rd March 1946 - 1'st April 2025
by Hootoksi Tyabji
Beautiful as a Lion, carrying the qualities of strength and courage is what the name Shehernavaz means in Persian. You definitely lived up to your name!
My sister Shehernavaz, a bright star in my sky, your support and unconditional love were invaluable and always fostered a sense of security, empathy and personal growth in me.
You often told me the story of how you would get down on your knees and fervently pray “khodaiji mane behn aapjo” (God, please give me a sister) when our ma was pregnant with me. You were overjoyed that your prayer was answered, I was born, and you loved me fiercely from that day on, carrying me around in your arms, heart and mind all the 74 years of my life.
You were Kind, Generous, Caring, Compassionate, True to your beliefs and lived life on your own terms. You were my role-model and the one person in my life who was always there for me, and later in life for my husband, and my children as well.
I always admired the fierce passion with which you campaigned for animals and your generosity of spirit, you never turned anyone away when they needed your help, and you supported all the causes you believed in monetarily and with your time. Every joy, sorrow and pain I experienced, every doubt, hurt and jumbled thought, I shared with you, because you listened closely, never judged and always cared and loved.
We lived our lives continents apart but you were always there for me at the end of a telephone line.
I think of you every time I see butterflies in our garden, listen to the gurgling sound of water in our pond and the joyful singing of birds all around me. I think of the way your face lit up every time we met and the way you enjoyed eating good Indian vegetarian food.
When the neighbour’s cat sits quietly in the field next door and watches my every move, when the wind brushes my face and raindrops fall, when the sun rises and lights up the earth, when plants continue to grow against all odds, when the moon waxes and wanes, when Nala licks my face, I feel your presence, I see you smile I hear you say “Spirit is the real and eternal, matter is unreal and temporal” the core teaching of Christian Science that you believed in with all your heart and practiced every day of your life.
We were very different you and I – in our minds and physical appearances, in our spiritual beliefs and gastronomic preferences.
In the last years of your life, the tables were turned, I was your sounding board and confidant, there for you the way you had always been there for me, reminding you of
Truths you had taught me and needed to apply to yourself as you navigated the challenges that confronted you and made life at the end so difficult to bear.
When our relationship culminated in your death, I unraveled, and for many days I could not come to terms with the fact that I would not hear your voice, see you or
touch you ever again………….
And then I reminded myself of the many conversations we had about death and about our combined conviction that Spirit never dies, and I forced myself to keep that
thought foremost in my mind, so allowing me to rejoice in the thought that your Spirit is free, and you dance among the stars with our parents, aunts, uncles and your
partner Shannon.
Thoughts of you always make me smile and I am flooded with gratitude at having had you for my sister all my life.
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Many messages of condolence and love came in from friends and relatives around the world. Here are some of them:
Very sad to hear the news. She is at peace now and away from her troubles. Glad you both could be with her at this difficult hour. Mahrook joins me in sending our
condolences - Cyrus Lalkaka
Dearest Hootoksi and Kershasp,
My heartfelt condolence for the passing of your beloved sister and my dearest cousin.
Shehernavaz and I were very close as small children and I remember the wonderful time we had traveling by train to Bangalore and how we all teased poor papa. A lot of
beautiful events come to mind which will remain with me forever – Kaikoo Lalkaka
We’re so sorry to hear that sad news dear Hootoxi and Kershasp.
Our sincere condolences to you both and your families.
Wishing you all strength during this difficult time. Great that you were both with dear Shernavaz when she passed away.
Lots of love from us all – Feroz Gimmi
My dear Kershasp and Hotoksi,
Today you had to let your sister go to a better place where she feels no pain. You will miss her so very much but you will keep and cherish the wonderful memories of time
spent together. We are thinking of you all today as you celebrate her life. May her good soul ever rest in peace - Brinda
Dear Hutoxi,
I am deeply sorry for your loss. Losing a sister is an unimaginable sorrow. My heart goes out to you in this painful time. May her soul rest in peace, and may you find
comfort in the memories you shared and the love that remains. I too have many beautiful memories of my time with your sister. Will cherish all these fantastic memories as we both move forward. Sincerely – Phil Captain
Rest in Love, Sherimasi Angel. Pictures from my marriage in 1999 thru our last family reunion in Port Clinton. Rest in eternal peace. March 3, 1946 (Bombay) April 1, 2025
(Cleveland)
– Farhad Tyabji
Dadima,
I’m so sorry to hear of Sheher masi. I can’t imagine what it’s like to lose a sister and what you are feeling right now. I know you both talked weekly and remained close
throughout your lives despite the distance. You and Kershasp are in my heart especially now - Azura
We planted a tree in memory of Shehernavaz at Cue Haven in New Zealand. Cue Haven is a gift of a native forest of trees bestowed upon the people of New Zealand
by our dear friends Mahrukh & Tom Stazyk. The tag on the tree reads:
Shehernavaz N Pundole
3rd March 1946 - 1st April 2025
In memory of our beloved sister who loved and cared for every living being especially the animals, birds and fish whom she fiercely protected.
She built a finer world and inspired us all to be better than we are!
Fondly remembered by:
Kershasp and Rhonda, Hootoksi and Robert, Michel, Farhad, Adil, Jon and Sherry, Azura, Olivia, Caelynn, Cianna, Alex, Hunter, Laila and Naveen.
Dearest Hootoksi and Robert -
Great day today for a memorial planting. After a few days of really cold wet winter weather, we had a really beautiful crisp sunny day with temperatures in the mid-
teens!
Tom planted the kahikatea tree for Shere just behind and between the trees planted for your beloved parents. Tom is pointing to the 2 trees planted for your parents.
They are growing really well.
The bridge over the stream by the trees was gifted the name Piriti Maharanoa (Bridge of Remembrance) by our late kaumatua (local Maori chief) as that is the area
where we have planted the trees for both our parents and other close loved ones. In a few years the roots of all the neighbouring trees will entwine and support each
other to grow to their massive heights to be NZ tallest native trees. Hence, the Maori call the kahikatea and whanau and (Family) trees.
We have also updated the Register of Memorial Plantings https://cuehaven.com/memorial-register/ Check under P. Tags are in alphabetical order by surname. Many thanks again for your continued support and helping us create this beautiful native forest for everyone to enjoy for generations.
Looking forward to having you both and Kershasp and also your children and grandkids out to CUE Haven in the not-too-distant future to visit us and these special
trees.
Much love and blessings,
Mahrukh & Tom