Photo courtesy of Swartz Funeral Home - Flint
Flint, Michigan
Jul 9, 1949 – Jun 19, 2025
Doctor, mother, wife, and grandmother Bhadrabala (“BB”) Ganatra passed away on June 19th, 2025, at the age of 75. She was surrounded by family and loved ones, and her spirit was lifted by the love and support of her community.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, June 21st, 2025 at the Swartz Funeral Home, 1225 West Hill Road, Flint. Visitation will be held from 10 AM to 11 AM, and cremation will take place following the service.
Bhadra was born in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania on July 9th, 1949, to Keshavji Tanna and Shanta Jasani. The youngest of six siblings, Bhadra spent her early childhood in Tanzania before attending University and Medical School in Mumbai (Bombay), earning her medical degree from Grant Medical College in 1969. While there she grew into a fierce protector of her friends who nevertheless enjoyed a good laugh.
She married Balvant Ganatra in 1976 and moved to the United States for her residencies in Internal Medicine and Neurology in 1977. After that, she and her husband settled in Flint, MI, where she practiced Neurology in private practice for more than 25 years. During that time, she served as Chief of Neurology at McLaren Hospital and trained countless medical students and residents. She earned board certification in both Neurology and Internal Medicine, and was beloved by her patients and colleagues for her tireless hard work and keen intellect.
After retiring from medicine in 2007, she expanded her love of Indian movies, music, and cooking lavish Indian meals for her family. Her son Rahul’s friends grew to love her cooking too: she often made so much food for Rahul that he was forced to share, and anyone around him with a taste for Indian food also benefitted from her generosity.
She is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years (Balvant), son (Rahul), granddaughters (Naomi and Nova), as well as her brothers, sisters, and other beloved family members. She will be remembered for her courage in the face of adversity, her kindness and generosity of spirit, and her sense of humor, which shined through to the end.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made on her behalf to the Flint Public Library, the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, or any other charity dedicated to protecting vision, physical activity, or the education of girls and women.
Read More
My deepest and most sincere condolences to BB's family and friends.
Perry Lorence
August 09, 2025 | Work
We both recall working and laughing with BB while at McLaren. We loved both she and BK and recall both with immense fondness and respect. Pat Perrine and Carol Higgins
Pat Perrine
June 23, 2025 | Linden, MI | Friend
So sorry to hear about the passing of Dr. Ganatra. I had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Ganatra while working at Hurley. She was a very caring & compassionate physician. My prayers to her husband, son & family. Rest in peace Dr. Ganatra.
Frances Billings
June 23, 2025 | Work
We at Noah's Ark Orphan Care, and Pastor Nancy Sisco, send our heartfelt condolences to you, Dr. Ghanatra, and to your family. May the Lord comfort your hearts with precious memories, and may she rest in peace.
Carol Livasy
June 23, 2025 | Lapeer, MI | Acquaintance
One of my favorite teachers as a student. I learned so much from her. She also gave me heartburn that sent me to the hospital after eating a midnight breakfast after late rounds - she knew Everyone in the hospital and they all loved her!!!
I will never forget her, and will always be grateful for what I learned - a good neuro exam, elegant neurological location, thinking outside the box when a patient presents with neuro complaint (she was also an excellent internist), and kindness...
Laura Carravallah, MD
June 23, 2025 | Davison, MI | Student
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Pam Williams, RN
June 23, 2025 | Work
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Pam Williams,RN
June 23, 2025 | Work
Bhadra was my medical resident during my medical residency at Hurley Medical Center in Flint Michigan. She was so knowledgeable and a great mentor. A realy remarkable person. She will be missed. She lives on in my heart.
Margaret(Peg) Setter Abbott, MD
June 23, 2025 | Work
Came across Dr. Ganatra´s obituary on television, my heart sank. I was so fortunate to work with Dr. Ganatra at Hurley. She was a brilliant physician, a great teacher, a very humble lady. She was later my neurologist after I was involved in a MVA in `87. I will never forget her kindness, her compassion and her sense of humor. She will be greatly missed. My condolences to her family. Rest in peace Dr. Ganatra, you were truly one in a million.
Cory C. Pacheco
June 22, 2025 | Work
