In Memory of Dr. Kusum Shah
Our beloved Dr. Kusum Jayesh Shah passed away peacefully from this world on September 12, 2021, at 2:00 am surrounded by her loving family. She passed after fulfilling the prayers, ceremonies, and rituals performed during the sacred time of the Jain Paryushana and Samvatsari Pratikrammanceremony.
Kusumben lived a life full of purpose - giving, sharing, caring for loved ones and strangers. Hers was truly a model life, sustained through her unwavering and tireless dedication to family, community, medicine, and the healing arts.
Kusumben was, simply put, the center of all things for our large and diverse family and she was loved by each of us completely. And beyond the family, Kusumben was a prominent social leader and was cherished and respected by a large community of friends here and in India. Her life was truly a model of a life well-lived through her unwavering and tireless dedication to family, to community, to medicine, the healing arts, and to each and every person who came to their warm and welcoming home in Cedar Grove. If you crossed their threshold you were assured of love, support and their kindness.
Kusumben has always been a brilliant and ambitious person, growing up in India, achieving remarkable accolades, which included completing her medical studies and internships with distinction. Over the course of a long and distinguished career as an anesthesiologist, she worked at several major hospitals in New Jersey, in service and support of others with good cheer and enthusiasm. Regardless of how many hours she might have been in the operating room on any given day, anyone who came in her presence was welcomed with love, laughter and joy. Kusumben remains a rock for the family. She was an immense presence in celebration of family events and major milestones. Her blessings blossomed the event with warmth and love.
She and Jayeshbhai, as they embarked on their medical careers in this country, were able to bring family members to America to embrace new lives here. They were very proud of all the accomplishments of each and every family member, young and old, in their new country. As a physician, Kusumben was committed to helping others. As a philanthropist, she acted upon her commitment to social service by contributions to communal, religious, and educational entities, including the Jain Derasar in Caldwell, New Jersey and the Bhulka Bhavan in Vyara, India, which is a place for young children of limited means. Beyond all of this, she was just there for anyone in her loving orbit; those who needed help, guidance, or just a trusted friend.
Kusumben is survived by her sisters Kamalaben, Nutanben, Jayshreeben; brother Jayprakash; sister-in-law RitabenBhavsar along with a large and loving extended family.
She will be deeply missed by one and all. We will honor her impressive legacy by living our lives as she would have wanted. She will be here and alive in our hearts and minds forever. Though she all will miss her immensely. We are encouraged to believe that Kusumben and Jayeshbhai are now once again together with their souls’ forever bonded in their journey to enlightenment