Shobhana Dayalji Patel

Our beloved matriarch, Shobhana Dayalji Patel, passed away on Friday, December 11, 2020 due to complications from COVID-19 at the age of 86. She is survived by three of her four children -- Jyoti, Vasanti, and Hiten -- and her daughter-in-law, Bhavna; a nephew, Jayesh and two nieces -- Kalpana and Manisha; seventeen grandchildren -- Nina, Aarti, Anand, Bina, Bhavik, Sonali, Sapna, Suriya, Kishan, Ujjesa, Arjun, Jayin, Shayla, Graham, Suvali, Ben and Bhavin; and one great grandchild, Graysen. Her husband and son, Dayalji and Mukesh, precede her in death.

Known affectionately by all as Baa or Bhikiben, Shobhana was born in Siker, India. Strong since birth, she was the only surviving child of Vallabhai and Dhaniben Patel. Growing up in a small rural village in Gujarat, she developed her love for cooking, animals, family and tradition. Shobhana was married on February 14, 1951 and emigrated to Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Harare, Zimbabwe) shortly thereafter. She further emigrated to the United States in 1975 where she gifted her children with the American Dream.

Her passion in life was cooking traditional Gujarati and Punjabi foods for family and friends; this gave her much joy and she is renowned worldwide for her cooking and hospitality. She had a warmth and sense of humor that touched everyone she loved. Shobhana enjoyed playing and laughing with her grandkids, often playing silly pranks, and spending quality time with family watching Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy (the former of which she was surprisingly good at since English was not her native language). Shobhana was also a social butterfly, making friends wherever she went, and staying close with long phone calls to friends and family around the world. She showered people with love and ended each conversation with “why don’t you call more?” to let them know their conversation was truly the highlight of her day, week, year and life.

She passed peacefully at home with family by her side as she wished.

Memorial services are being postponed indefinitely amid the ongoing pandemic. Cremation will occur on Saturday, December 19 in Austin, Texas.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Shobhana has asked that donations be made to either the University of Pennsylvania Abramson Cancer Center, Sankara Eye Institute or the ASPCA.