Ishwari Mehabubani

Ishwari Mehabubani, Ishi, was born on March 17, 1928 in Hyderabad Sindh to Satibai and Tirathdas Mirpuri, a rich businessman. The eldest of nine children Ishi was a loving elder sister and caring “little mother” to all her siblings. As the first-born child to her teenage mother, she received much love which shaped her personality to be loving and caring. She became part of history when India gained independence, and she crossed the border into India on August 14, 1947, at the age of nineteen. She would speak of this experience like she could see it even now before her very eyes. As the train neared the border there was complete silence – an eerie silence. Once over the border there were cries of Jai Hind and thunderous applause. As the train stopped at the first station the passengers were welcomed with mung and sharbat. Once into India the family continued its journey to Colombo, Sri Lanka, where her father owned businesses.

Ishi married Hassaram Mahbubani, the son of diamond jewelers, on November 17, 1952, and moved to Calcutta, India. Even though it was a marriage arranged by their parents, it was love-at-first sight when they met. They had a happy marriage and two children, a son Chandru, and daughter Meena. Shortly after her husband passed in January 1987 she moved to the United States.

Ishi will always be remembered as a loving person with a million-dollar smile. She took great joy in life and living. She was practical about the inevitable, and taught us to celebrate life, and never to mourn its passing. She was a woman with an indomitable spirit. She found her courage in deep faith. Even as she left her body it was with God’s Name on her lips - Sat Nam Sri Waheguru.

She is survived by her son Chandru (Lata), her daughter Meena (Ashim), her grandchildren, Sunny, Shilpa, Krishna, Krystle, and Gautam, her siblings and their families.

A funeral service for Ishwari will be held Monday, January 2, 2023 from 2pm to 3:00 PM at Johns-Ridout's Funeral Parlors, 2116 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.johnsridouts.com for the Mehabubani family.