Madhurika Sanghvi

MADHURIKA SANGHVI

October 25th, 1934-December 2nd-2024

Fierce, independent, striking, and strong, Madhuben was a generous and caring person who had a killer smile and always put her family first.

She and her other half, Iftibhai, would welcome you into their home at Waterside Plaza, serve you smoked gouda, sour cream & onion chips, G&Ts, and wine, and just sit with you and talk for hours. Everyone always felt at home at Waterside-in fact, it was home away from home for so many.

Madhuben passed away at her home (as she'd always desired to do) on December 2nd, 2024, at the age of 90. She was born on October 25th, 1934, to Diwaliben and Sankalchandbhai Sanghvi, the 11th of 12 children and their 4th daughter. She was a shy child, extremely patient and devoted to her mother, and always ready to lend a helping hand. She grew up in Rajkot, Gujarat, India, until she was 13 years of age. Upon the death of her parents, she moved to Ahmedabad and then to Bombay, where she finished her Interscience Course and then entered Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. She received her MBBS with a gold medal in surgery.

She then completed her post-graduate studies in England and began her training in pediatrics. However, her chief advised her to change specialties because she was becoming very attached to her patients. She chose anesthesiology. While she was in the U.K., she trained in Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow. For much of that time, she shared a flat with her dear friend, Bala Doshi, whom she had met in her first year of medical college. Balaben remained her closest friend throughout her life and became another Sanghvi sister, joining their large extended family with her own.

While training for anesthesia near Manchester, Madhuben met and fell in love with Iftibhai. They were married a few short years later, on November 29th, 1986. They made their way from England to the U.S., where they practiced medicine at Maimonides Hospital in Brooklyn, N.Y. Madhuben was such a sought-after anesthesiologist that some physicians would request only her for their cases-particularly for those involving children.

Madhuben and Iftibhai made their home in Manhattan but spent much of their time jet-setting around the globe. Flying the Concorde to Europe, gambling in Monte Carlo, eating at the finest restaurants in Paris, and taking in shows in London's West End. They loved getting dressed to the nines and experiencing all the best of the best city in the world-New York, which would always be their favorite place in the world.

Madhuben and Iftibhai were both always extremely devoted to their families and were there to help anyone who needed anything. Several relatives made their homes at Waterside for extended periods of time, and they cared for the elders of both families with steadfast dedication and love.

Madhuben was preceded in death by her husband, Iftibhai, in 2018, her parents, and several brothers and sisters. She is survived by her brothers, Indubhai and Mavbhai, her sister, Sudhu, numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews, and her dear friend Balaben. She will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation in memory of Madhurika Sanghvi.