Subhadra Ramchandra Thakar lived a beautiful life surrounded by her family. She grew up in Vasai-Dabhla, Gujarat where she studied until the 4th grade. Through an arranged marriage, she married what became the true love of her life, Dr. Ramchandra Manishankar Thakar F.R.C.S (Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons), and moved to Nagpur where she lived in the four-story, joint family Thakar household. She gained the affectionate nickname as "Bawli". She and her kids referred to Ramchandra lovingly as "Daddy". These were some of the most formative years of her life as she was whole-heartedly embraced by her new family. Later on her husband had to leave for England to complete his surgical training, Subhadra raised four daughters (Bharti, Jyoti, Nirmala, Meena) and one son (Dilip, Gopal came much later) single handedly. And although her extended family certainly helped her, she recalls these years as a test of her resilience and determination.
After completion of her husband's F.R.C.S, they moved to several different places for his work. In Gujarat, they started in Junagadh then moved to Bhavnagar, and eventually settled in Raipur, MP. Here they lived in a three-story home attached to the hospital where Daddy worked. Bawli's daily routine consisted of waking up at 4 a.m. where she would make breakfast for the family. She would then go to the hospital to sterilize all the surgical instruments, pre-round on patients and then join Dr. RM Thakar in the operating room as a surgical assistant. After the morning surgeries were completed, she would then cook lunch for her family. In the afternoon she would return to the hospital to round on patients. In the evening, she would return home where she would cook a fresh dinner for her family. Only after everyone went to sleep would she then go to bed. She not only learned to be a surgical nurse from her husband, but also dedicated her life as a loving mother to her family. During this time her two sons, Dilip and Gopal, and her daughter-in-law, Sneha, moved to the USA to start a new journey of their own. After a few years, Bawli and Daddy decided to join them in the USA. Bawli was a woman who valued tradition and customs. Though living in a new country, she still proudly wore her sari and continued to maintain Hindu household traditions. They returned to Ahmedebad to live close to their family where they lived many peaceful, happy years watching their family grow.
Eventually Daddy passed away and soon after, Bawli suffered a hip fracture. Her eldest son, Dilip, brought Bawli back to the USA to live in Houston at home with him, Sneha, and her grandson, Sudip. These were very special years for Bawli as she was able to live very comfortably and was able to take part in the daily life of her children and grandchildren (Sudip, Arjun & Aarohi). She gave her daily blessings to countless people. She, in return, received daily outpouring of love and affection from her family. She later on had a nurse, Shiney whom she lovingly referred to as Laxmi, take very good care of her. The two even became very close friends and companions.
Subhadra lived the remainder of her years in Houston. She passed away peacefully at Memorial Hermann Hospital, on Friday, September 9th, 2022 while holding Dilip's hands. Although she will be dearly missed, her life was an incredible celebration of love, joy, and accomplishment. All her children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren are happy, successful, and living wonderful lives. She gives her wali wali papi papi to all. Her memory will be carried forth for generations to come as a woman who embodied the definition of Dharma or duty. May she rest peacefully in eternal happiness with her beloved husband.
"Sat No Jay" (Translation - Truth Wins)
~Subhadra Ramchandra Thakar


Obituary written by Sudip Thakar, grandson