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SARITA BHALOTRA
1952 - 2018
SARITA BHALOTRA
1952 - 2018
Obituary
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SARITA BHALOTRA Obituary
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Gita Chopra Bakshi
November 22, 2019
I just read this obituary and had no idea that sarita was no longer with us. I had sarita haze me when I entered medical school and then she became my close friend and mentor. We had the best of times. My condolences to the family and if the kids would like to know a few details of our time together please email me
Peter Conrad
December 11, 2018
I was shocked and saddened to hear about Sarita's passing. She and I worked closely together on the Health, Science and Society (HSSP) program for 10 years.As the co-chair of the program Sarita infused the program with enthusiasm and rigor and continually encouraged students to develop commitment and rigor in their interests in health. In particular Sarita developed both a global and policy frame for examining health in society. She was a caring mentor to hundreds of undergraduates, who she often referred to affectionately as "the kids." In real ways she changed the life direction of many of these students. HSSP has become the third largest major at Brandeis and a vibrant part of Heller School in no small measure due to Sarita's dedication and positive energy. I feel fortunate to have had Sarita as friend and colleague and will miss our professional and personal interaction. She has made a difference to the institutions and people she touched.
Peter Conrad
Martha M
December 8, 2018
When with her friends, my mother, Joyce Merson, was at her best: quick to laugh and a riveting storyteller. The women she chose for friends were also good fun and I loved them. Most of them knew me as a not-too-competent child, but Sarita moved to the neighborhood when I was a teen and for all I knew, she hadn't heard every embarrassing story about my youth.
Sarita was the younger sister Mom never had. Mom had a reserve of hard-won secrets to running a home and life in New England. She knew all those 30+ words for snow and what kind of blizzard might make driving impossible for more than a day. She knew about nursing kids with colds and flus. She knew when to wash your windows and when to rake and probably had a running list of plumbers, electricians, and other handy people. She knew what there was to know about schooling, forms, and expectations of parent involvement. All of this was knowledge she was keen to share and finally someone was on the scene who was an eager learner and enthusiastically appreciative. It was a match made in heaven, Sarita and Joyce!
It is hard to put into words how happy Mom and Dad were with our Indian neighbors. Living in Maine wasn't always so easy or fun. Long, cold evenings and a social scene that Mom, from an atheist New York family rather than a Catholic, local one, felt left out of. They loved attending Sarita's citizenship ceremony. But the little things were greeted with equal joy: When Sameer and Meera came for brunch, they gobbled bagels and cream cheese with the rest of us, though their parents always wanted hot sauce on the side.
Sarita was so generous and though she and Rakesh re-located out of state, she wanted to stay in touch. The Bhalotras bought a cottage on Taylor Pond. I wanted to stay there with Myra in 1986. Sarita said yes, though she warned the house wouldn't be cleaned or open for the season yet. No matter, I was happy to do some cleaning as part of the deal. The first night we crawled into bed and found lots and lots of mouse droppings. Ew. But it hardly mattered. I had crossed a threshold--was entrusted with her cottage and we were communicating directly as adults.
Years went by when I was living in Pennsylvania, but when I got back to Massachusetts, it was a treat to be back in touch with the Bhalotra family. In 1999 I decided to cross Massachusetts on my bike. Not the strongest of bikers, I planned a route averaging 30 miles a day. I stayed mostly with friends. Showing up at Sarita's, the welcome was warm and heartfelt as always.
Sarita's work was intriguing to me--evaluation of health interventions, a study of end-of-life practices. While we talked some about work, the conversation would always turn to how much Joyce had meant to her. I never really tired of those stories. After mom died, I gave one of the hand-knit sweaters in Mom's drawer to Sarita. I think she wore that until its fibers were one with her own skin cells. Not so different from how I feel about a blanket Sarita gave me from India. It's the kind that is warm i the winter and cool in the summer, she informed me. Because she said it, it is so and it has been a great comfort to me.
I will miss our phone calls, particularly her willingness to reminisce. To honor her memory, I want to offer my friends the warmth and welcome she bestowed on me so many times.
Himanshu & Praveena
December 7, 2018
In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always. Rest in Peace
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December 7, 2018
Offering our sincere condolences. May the God of love comfort your heart and make you firm in your time of grief. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17.
Sondra Albano-Rosiewicz
December 7, 2018
Sarita was on my dissertation support group at the Heller School from 1993-1995. I could not have finished my doctoral dissertation without her regular feedback and support. From then on, we were friends; she cooked for us at her house on the lake, and she came to my home with Meera for the holidays. Sarita was proud of her children and shared stories about their lives whenever we got together. She was warm and socially adept, an elegant conversationalist and guest at the gatherings we attended. I will always admire her for her successful career in academia, and regret the loss of our friendship with her passing.
Andrea Merson Lawrence
December 5, 2018
The Bhalotra family moved in next door when I was around 10 years old. Sarita enchanted me from the moment I saw her. She glided beautifully through life, with her long hair, flowing saris, bangles and bindi. She spoke softly yet commanded attention. She smelled like flowers, even during winter in Maine. (Speaking of which, I wonder how many layers of long underwear she sported under those Indian silks!) In summer, I saw her work in the garden and grow vegetables (maybe there were chickens for a while too?) even though my mother always said it wasn't possible.
The Bhalotra home was warm and welcoming. The scent of curry enveloped you before you even walked in the door. Smells so different from those in our kitchen that I felt compelled to taste, even though her dishes burned my tongue time and again. Thank goodness for gulab jamun!
I babysat Sameer and Meera but really, along with my brother and Daniel and Rachel from next door, we just all played together. When Sarita and Rakesh entertained, the three (or four or six) of us were relegated to the upstairs. We'd spend the night in their parents' bedroom, playing, watching TV and eventually all fall asleep in a pile. To this day, I love lying in bed listening to the indiscernible sounds of conversations and people having a good time.
From Sarita I learned how to turn a compliment toward others. I learned to demure twice before finally accepting an offer. She was a role model for how to be a good girlfriend: easy to talk with, quick to laugh, never judgmental. Always poised, brilliant without ego, she imparted many lessons, some by intention and others just through her demeanor. My time with her was far too short, as was her time among us.
Sameer and Meera, know that my physical distance from your mother never diminished my love for her or my memories of you both. I feel fortunate to have had you all in my life.
Sending condolences and love to your entire family.
Marc and Sally
December 2, 2018
Like all the neighbors, we were shocked and saddened to hear of Sarita's passing. Our condolences to all the family -- she was a great participant in so many community projects, and will be missed in all of them.
Cindy Yeo
December 2, 2018
I am so sorry for your loss. Sarita was my professor when I was receiving my Masters in Health Administration at Clark. She was an incredible mentor, always encouraging. Later I served with her on the Board of the GSA, Worcester Council. And more than anything she was my friend.
May God bouy you up in your loss.
Cindy Yeo
Walter Leutz
December 2, 2018
Sarita was a colleague of mine at the Heller School at Brandeis University since the 1990s, where she was a leader in the development of courses, research and programs in aging. She taught in the PhD, Masters, and undergraduate programs and was a dedicated advisor to students at all levels. She helped develop both the Brandeis undergraduate program in Health: Science and Social Policy as well as Heller's MBA program in non-profit management. She was a Heller PhD and brought the perspective of a physician to policy work and programs in aging. She became a Professor Emerita when she retired several years ago. In the last few years I have worked with Sarita through the Waltham Healthy Aging Study, where she was a co-researcher. She continued healthy aging work as a volunteer with Waltham Connections for Healthy Aging. She was compassionate, insightful, a good neighbor, and a good friend. I'm going to miss her. She was one of a kind.
C Sudler
December 1, 2018
May the family and friends receive the sympathy, love and comfort of heart felt and fond memories of Dr. Bhalotra.
December 1, 2018
Meera and Sameer,
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your dear mother Sarita. We have so many fond memories of our time with her and your family in Shrewsbury. May she Rest In Peace. She will be in our prayers.
Francine and John Bennett (aka the Nortons)
Thomas Burke
December 1, 2018
I am sorry for the loss of Sarita. Many of us in the Chestnut Hill parish knew her and now grieve her passing. She was a kind and compassionate woman. Please be assured of our fond remembrances of Sarita and our love for you all. Peace to you and your family as you grieve her loss.
November 30, 2018
Dear Meera and Sameer, We were saddened to hear about your mother's death. We remember her time in Shrewsbury as a good friend, mother and hostess to all the friends of your friends and their parents. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy for your
loss, It is never easy to lose a parent. We pray for your comfort and good memories of your Mom. Jack and Pat Bergan
Eric Olson
November 30, 2018
Sarita was a consistently upbeat and encouraging presence at the Heller School of Brandeis, where I also teach. She invited me to lecture in one of her classes, and was very kind in her remarks afterward. I also had the pleasure of visiting her at her home on the shores of Hardy Pond in Waltham, where she told me about Hardy Pond ecological issues and together we planned and then I built her twin compost bins -these latter points illustrate her love of nature and her concern for the earth. I will certainly miss her. I am not at all ready for her to be gone.
Dan Bergan
November 30, 2018
I have fond memories of hanging out at the Bhalotras' house. Looking back as an adult with a kid, it probably wasn't always a picnic having the Shrewsbury crew around! But Sarita was always so kind and gracious. Sameer and Meera, I am so sorry for your loss.
November 30, 2018
I have fond memories of hanging out with Sameer at the Bhalotras. Looking back as an adult with a kid, it probably wasn't always a picnic having the Shrewsbury crew around! But Sarita was always so kind and gracious. Sameer and Meera, I am so sorry for your loss.
Dan Bergan
November 29, 2018
Meera and Sameer, I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. She was always so nice. Thinking of you both. -Bridget Bergan
Vivekanand Vimal
November 29, 2018
I met Dr. Bhalotra at Brandeis, where she was an accomplished professor. I had invited her to give a talk to a group of undergrads. A few days before the talk, my mother and I met with her to have a brainstorming session. She had a beautiful spirit that was warm and had a unique type of kindness that made me feel like family. Unlike many others who have a long list of accomplishments and degrees, she never had any arrogance and instead inspired a feeling of confidence and approachability. She was so great with the undergrads. She was caring and asked them each their names and answered their questions with great respect. She was a great educator. She will be missed.
November 29, 2018
Dear Meera and Sameer,
We were truly sad to learn of your mother's passing. Our family shares fond memories of the time spent together during your years in Shrewsbury. Our children remember how kind your mother always was and recall all the fun activities she planned for them to enjoy... crafts, water slides and of course, great food. Jack and I knew Sarita as an exceptional woman: a hard worker, an exceptional hostess and a great cook. But our strongest memories are of her total devotion to her children. May memories of her love sustain you during this difficult time.
Fondly,
Pat, Jack, Matt, Callie Michael and Lizzie Avis
Ted & Sue
November 29, 2018
We shall miss your beautiful smile, and your always generous nature. We will always remember you. Rest In Peace dear Sarita
SUNAINA/Naina Bhasin
November 29, 2018
I would have not known you if I hadn't gone to Boston & Mass Generat Hosp How you drove all the way from Shrewsbury & took me home for a break We spent some memorable days together Your hospitality was unforgettable Can't believe you are gone Our brave,all rounder..Saroo You kept your beautiful house so spick & span, cooked delicious meals with barbecue thrown in , and went to the hospital to work Amazing how you coped with all this with your great smile Bye bye darling & rest in peace Will always remember you & miss you ,your Naina didi
Your neighbor..
November 29, 2018
Our sincere condolences to the Bhalotra family in the loss of your dear love one. Our prayers are as yours, that God provide his care and comfort you each day.
- Psalms 145:18,19
Anne
November 29, 2018
My deepest sympathy for your loss. May you be comforted to know our Creator has a wonderful future for us and our loved ones. Ps37:29
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