Active in Melrose community
Published in the March 11, 2016 edition
MELROSE — Vrajkunvar (Chotai) Thakkar, a proud resident of Melrose, passed away peacefully at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital, at age 92.
Vrajkunvar, known to her family and many friends as “Ba,” led a diverse life of experiences across the world. She was born in Uganda to Indian parents, the late Vithaldas M. and Manibai (Popat) Chotai. She lived in four different countries before settling in Melrose in 1981. She really loved Melrose, and became part of the community by creating a life in Melrose. She taught herself to speak and understand English and was so proud to call herself a citizen of the United States. She lived happily in the same house since 1981 and took great care of her home and especially enjoyed her friendships in the neighborhood, both young and old. In her free time, she loved cleaning, taking trips down to Swains Pond to feed the swans and staying up-to-date on current events.
Most important to Vrajkunvar was her family. She raised five children and loved cooking for everyone. She had a special relationship with each of her grandchildren and always took care of everyone.
Vrajkunvar was the beloved wife of the late Vallabhdas J. Thakkar, with whom she shared 66 years of marriage. She was the devoted mother of Leela Sanchdev and her husband Shashikant of Alloa, Scotland; Sudha Gadhia and her late husband Vinod of West Bloomfield, Mich.; Bharti Thakkar of Melrose; Rohini Sodha and her husband Ashwin of Las Vegas, Nev.; and Ajay Thakkar and his wife Sharon Foldy of Melrose. She was the dear sister of Nandkunvar Vadera of Toronto, Canada and five deceased siblings. She was the cherished grandmother of Rooma (Gahdia) Hartman and her husband Greg; Nomita Sanchdev and her husband Gareth Griffiths; Ravi Gadhia and his wife Manisha Shah; Manisha Sanchdev and her husband Patrick Nugent; Neha Sodha; and Preeti Sodha. She was the loving great-grandmother of Ainsley and Jed Hartman; and Ronin and Leikh Gadhia.
Relatives and friends gathered in honor of Vrajkunvar’s life for her Funeral Service at the Bigelow Chapel at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge on Saturday, March 5. Gifts in memory of Vrajkunvar may be made Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, PO Box 849168, Boston MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift. For online tribute visit RobinsonFuneralHome.com.
