In Loving Memory
Saroj Majithia
Mum was living with an advanced cancer diagnosis since September 2022. She lived considerably longer than the doctors expected, and we used every available opportunity to create and treasure precious moments in the last period of her life. This included spending so much time with both of us, with her granddaughters, and with all of you.
Mum spent five weeks at Royal Trinity Hospice, in the amazing care of the doctors, nurses and wider team, before her final three weeks at home. We are eternally grateful for the work of the staff at Royal Trinity Hospice which made Mum's last few months as comfortable as possible, as well as the carers who continued to support Mum at home.
We would also like to thank all our family and friends for the wonderful support these last few months, weeks and days. It has meant everything to Mum and to us. Our preference instead of receiving flowers and other condolences gifts, is that donations are made to the Royal Trinity Hospice, so we can all together continue to support their good work, much of which is given freely and by volunteers.
We wish to extend our deepest gratitude to all of you, for the prayers, support, comforting messages, calls, flowers, cards and gifts during this time of bereavement.
Thank you, Shailen & Minali x
Saroj's Life Story
Mum married in 1971. Shailen came along in ‘73, and Minali in ‘78. Mum divorced in ‘87 and set herself on a path to raising two children on her own, improving our modest home in Croydon, and aspiring to clear the mortgage.
Mum had obtained seven O-Levels in 1962, including attaining excellent fluency in Gujurati, Hindi and English, which she maintained throughout her life. In ‘63, she completed a Secretarial Diploma in Glasgow.
Mum worked for the majority of her career supporting senior personnel in the UK government, with stints in the Inland Revenue, ASRA Housing Association, the Department for Work & Pensions, and the Department of Trade & Industry. Mum worked conscientiously and was appreciated by all her colleagues.
Mum strongly believed in raising children herself, and so she took a ten-year career break to raise us, cleverly evolving her career into that of a childminder. She became quickly in-demand, at one point looking after 12 children at the same time.
In retirement, Mum continued her many lifelong passions, which included online property research and home improvements. Her favourite TV shows included Hindi programmes, property makeover and buying shows, and anything on current affairs presented by Piers Morgan.
Mum was an exceptional home cook and really enjoyed having guests over, showing boundless hospitality in her forever-clean and neatly presented home, and always cooking at least two more courses than necessary.
Most of all, Mum loved travelling, and in her later years we enjoyed so many family trips together – too many to mention. These included Mum often joining Shailen and Minali at destination weddings and spectacular birthdays of friends of ours.
Mum’s fondest memories and proudest moments include her 60th birthday party in Chutney Mary in London, her 70th birthday on the fabled Orient Express from Venice to Paris, and the birthday trips to the South of France, which became a fixture for the last few years. Mum also loved going to Henley Royal Regatta, to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships, and to Polo Matches with all of us in Windsor.
Mum’s personality truly sparkled, which many of you experienced through her hospitality, her cooking, her humour, her insightfulness, and her rare ability to make everyone feel instantly comfortable and loved. She did this so genuinely, taking a sincere interest in everything about all of you, your interests and experiences, and your joys and sorrows.
Saroj was strong in her ties to her origins in Kenya, and her deep-rooted Indian traditions and heritage. She was proud to be Indian, celebrating Diwali, Nawratri and teaching us important occasions like Raksha Bandan. She was loyal to her family, loyal in her marriage, committed in her work and career, devout in her faith and – quite simply – an amazing mother and amazing person in every respect. We all feel blessed to have had her in our lives for so many years.
With love, Shailen, Minali, Maya & Kiki x
Funeral Details
Mortlake Crematorium
8 December 2023
3.20pm – 4.00pm
Officiant: Dr. Acharya Tanaji
- Dress code for men please is dark suits (navy, grey) but no need to wear black; for ladies we are asking everyone to wear bright colours as symbolic of what Mum used to like.
- We would kindly ask anyone wishing to send flowers to consider please instead to make a donation to the Royal Trinity Hospice where Mum spent five weeks; details are on the link to the right side of this page.
- The service starts at 320pm at Mortlake Crematorium (note: not Mortlake Cemetery), so we advise to arrive latest by 3pm and enter the waiting room; free parking is available.
Wake
- The service will finish at 4pm and we kindly ask everyone then to make their way directly to Masala Zone in Earls Court SW5 (~20 mins by car), which will be open early to receive us from 445pm. Pay & Display parking is available on nearby residential streets (free from 630pm).
- After dinner at approx. 7pm we will walk over (less than 100m walk) to the Hotel George for a drinks reception which will carry on as late as anyone would like to stay.
Condolences & Memories
(3)Dear Auntie, I remember one of the first times I met you- I came to Mins flat in HK and you cooked us a proper Indian meal, at a time when we were all missing our home. From then, you always signified motherly love to us- it made us feel warm and comforted spending time with you in Hong Kong and London. Thank you for always showering me with your blessings, affection, warmth and love. I feel so lucky to have spent quality time with you, from sitting in your kitchen chatting and eating to having you part of my wedding. You are remarkable and epitomize grace, strength, courage and love, all with frankness and humor. I have so much to learn from you. Love you, Angeli
Dear Shailen and Minali & Family, Jai Sri Krishna. Please accept our heartfelt and sincere condolences for Saroj Auntie, leaving her body. It is difficult to accept, and as she was so important in playing a mother-father role in your lives, it must seem like a bigger loss. I remember how hard she worked in having 2 jobs, to make ends meet, and the sacrifices she made in bringing you up. We must remember her lesson of sincerity, hard work, spirit of sacrifice, and love and try to imbimbe these qualities. I pray mum’s soul feels peace as she rests in the lap of the Almighty, and may God give your family the strength to bear this loss. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti. Sincerely Atul Kotecha & family.
“Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories.” Dearest Auntie, You loved us You cared for us You always put us first You always made us feel better You made us delicious meals You listened to our hearts You are our Miss Universe – beautiful inside and out You will be missed Thank you for everything We will meet again. Love you always
