Pushpa Vasant Vaze

Pushpa Vasant Vaze, 81, born on July 17, 1935, in Hyderabad, India, passed away August 6, 2016. She resided in La Canada Flintridge, California at the time of her passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Glendale, California.

A Few Words about Aai… from Madhumati, Manjusha, and Parag…

Our mother, "Aai" (Pushpa Vasant Vaze), passed away peacefully at her home in La Canada Flintridge, California on 6 August 2016. She had just celebrated her 81st birthday.

Born in Hyderabad, India on 17 July 1935, she graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Bombay University. She worked in India and migrated to the US to join our father "Dada", in 1975 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. She also worked in the US and moved to California after Dada's retirement in 1999 to enjoy their golden years in the company of their newly married son, Parag, and daughter-in-law, Ashwini. Both made frequent trips to meet families of Dada's brother, Damu-kaka, and sisters, Yamuna-atya and Shaku-atya.

Since then, both of them also thoroughly enjoyed the company of their youngest granddaughters, Sonia and Sanika, in the lovely weather of Southern California. As all local friends will acknowledge, both of them became enmeshed in the Marathi community programs with seniors and younger folks. They continued to regularly visit their daughters, Madhumati near Boston and Manjusha near Washington.

After Dada passed away in 2012, it was our Aai who helped us through the sadness with her ever hopeful approach to life. When she visited the east coast, she showered the grandchildren there, Ulka, Manasi, Surbhi, Viraj and Lori, the love that only a grandparent can provide. And, along with her contemporaries like our dear Bhau Godsay, she attended the weddings of Manasi and Brian and Surbhi and Zach with full abandon and joy. She also gave her sons-in-law, Nitin and Milind, the motherly cover that only she could give after their own mothers passed away. In Southern California, Aai kept up with the Marathi community through Krishna Bhakt Bhajan or Namasmaran group.

The most recent memory of our dear Aai could have been quite painful, as the past three years were interrupted with battles with a failing body. However, how blessed we are as her children to know a person with a strong will to live… and to live well. For most of us who become over sensitized to common colds and allergies, the positive attitude and smile that she carried so easily despite the deep aches and pains can only be an inspiration for the rest of our lives.

We will do justice by staying strong, Aai… but will miss you still.