Shobha Bharteey

Shobha lost her mother early in life and was raised by her beloved father. During India’s tumultuous partition in 1947, she escaped as a refugee with her father and brother to Kanpur, India.

Shobha received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the DAV College, Kanpur, India where she was ranked number 1 in her major, Hindi Language, and was recognized with a silver medal from her university for her outstanding academic performance. Shobha received her Master of Arts in Hindi from Christ Church College, also located in Kanpur.

Shobha was an assistant professor at Jabalpur University prior to her marriage to Brij M. Bharteey on November 19, 1961.

Shobha found great joy in raising her children, first in India and then in USA after the family immigrated in 1972. She worked hard to make sure her kids were assimilating to their new surroundings while maintaining connection with their Indian heritage. Whatever she pursued, she did so with excellence – creating perfect roses on birthday cakes, cooking exquisite Indian meals, sewing clothes for her children, taking on landscape design for her homes and wholeheartedly participating in and supporting her and her husband’s dreams for their lives together with a quiet and determined strength.

Shobha decided to take on a new challenge after her kids were grown by becoming a Mary Kay cosmetic sales consultant in Fayetteville, NC. She continued her Mary Kay career after the family relocated to Clifton Park, NY. Shobha was very successful, winning numerous awards along the way and was often the top salesperson in her region (though she was surprised every single time to have achieved the distinction). Despite enjoying a bountiful life and strong friendships in upstate New York, Shobha eventually returned to Chicago with her husband to be near her granddaughter.

Shobha’s way of being in the world was elegant and gentle, kind and fully present. She laughed easily, enjoyed discussing politics and wanted the people around her to be joyful. She didn’t hesitate to vocalize support for her family, loved with her whole heart, and sacrificed much for her family’s happiness.

Shobha was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 64 year, Brij M. Bharteey, her parents, and her older brother, Sarvdaman Ji.

She is survived by her beloved children Pavan (Lori) Bharteey, Swati (John) Bharteey-Buck and, her adoring granddaughter Dylan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Shobha’s memory to the Alzheimer's Association.

A Celebration of Shobha’s life will be held on Saturday, February 7, from 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM at Drake and Son Funeral Home, 5303 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625. Eulogies will be delivered at 5PM and can be viewed remotely using the following link:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3123512659?pwd=V3dVRTl6ekN5UEdURTRvTHZPQ25Wdz09&omn=87987514673

(Passcode, 020168, Zoom Meeting ID 3123512659)

Fond memories and photos of Shobha may be expressed and shared at www.drakeandsonfuneralhome.com