Obituary of Fatima Gulshan Tina BHATIA

September 26, 1937 - November 27, 2020

It is with great sadness but also admiration that we announce the completion of the journey of Fatima Gulshan Tina Bhatia

After a courageous battle with cancer, Fatima passed away peacefully with her daughter by her side on Friday, November 27, 2020. She leaves behind daughter Aneesa Howell, son Amin Bhatia and his wife Danielle, sisters, Sakar Nathu and Karen Mcdonald; brother Sadru Peermahomud, and her four grandchildren, Angela Bhatia, Kel Bhatia, Nathan Howell, and Nina Howell. She now joins her husband Mansur Suri Bhatia, daughter Neemet Nina Bhatia, and many other dearly departed family and friends.

Throughout Fatima’s life in Kenya, in Uganda, in England and in Canada, she maintained and nurtured her family’s values of grace, courtesy, and empathy to others. For more than fifty years Fatima was the guiding voice to her husband Suri, equally matching his ambition with diplomacy, courtesy, and intuition. Many of her closest friendships began with client dinners that Suri would host with Fatima’s world-class cooking. There is also a lifetime of memories for both Bhatia and Peermahomud families of holiday’s together, garden parties, and large family dinners filled with laughter, singing, and always good food.

Fatima had many talents in cuisine, in sewing and knitting, in office management, in chess and bridge, in music and in drama. Some of those talents were recognized and expanded while others had to be set aside while raising her children. But her talents and good nature live on in anyone who was privileged enough to learn from her. She always lit up a room with her presence.

Till the very end she continued to assure her children and grandchildren of how proud she was of their accomplishments and that she felt confident in their ability to lead joyous successful lives. She was also able to convey her thanks to family and friends around the world for all the good times while happily letting go of any bad ones. In accordance with her wishes, if during her lifetime she has hurt anyone’s feelings, or caused any ill will, knowingly or unknowingly, we request forgiveness on her behalf.

The family gives thanks to so many relatives and friends, including members of the Ismaili Jamat community. Their unwavering help was so appreciated, especially in these Covid times. Special mention to Yezmina and Phiroz Abbany, Azim Bhatia, Helen Munroe, the Kurji family, as well as Fatima’s extended families throughout England, Canada, and other parts of the world. Thanks also to Aspen Lodge, Foothills Hospital, Calgary Transit Access, Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and finally Southwood Hospice. The family is most grateful to Dr. Kamila Saieed and many other medical professionals who made each moment of Fatima’s final years as comfortable and as dignified as possible.

In lieu of any gifts or flowers, the family requests donations to the Alberta Cancer Foundation, c/o Tom Baker Cancer Centre, 1331 - 29 Street N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 4N2 Telephone: 1 (866) 412-4222. www.albertacancer.ca/memorial. Regrettably because of Covid, all funeral and viewing services are next of kin only. Once we are through these challenging times a celebration of Fatima’s life will be planned. We will make sure that the food will be as close to her standards as possible. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared and viewed on Fatima’s obituary at www.McInnisandHolloway.com.

With sadness but also with gratitude,

The family of Fatima Gulshan Tina Bhatia