Rajni B. Sharma

1942 - 2022

Rajni B. Sharma

Rajni Sharma left for the heavenly abode on February 5th, 2022. She was born on April 5, 1942, in the basement of a home in a small city in Burma-British India during the bombardment by the Japanese planes in World War II. As a 36-hour old infant, she was evacuated with her parents as a political refugee on one of the last planes that left for freedom before the Japanese occupation of Burma. Her parents Labhu Ram and Shanta Devi Sharma had great influence in her upbringing. She was a brilliant student, and her name is still proudly displayed as record-breaker in matriculation at her school in Hoshiarpur, Punjab India. She graduated from Medical College in Amritsar in 1964 where she met her future husband Om. She was awarded Silver medal in Ob-Gyn from Punjab University. She practiced in Civil Hospital, Nahan, HP for few years where she delivered children. She completed post-graduate training in Ob-Gyn from the prestigious Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh. She got married in 1969 and moved to the USA in 1971. After few months stay in Michigan, they moved to Toledo. Following her residency in Ob-Gyn at the Medical college of Ohio at Toledo (MCOT). She joined the group practice: Myers, Rost, Bowdle and Sharma in 1975. She became the second female physician in private practice in the Toledo area. She was a highly successful physician in her specialty who was well trusted for her dedication to personal meticulous care. She remained at the forefront as a leader in changing technology and pioneered new procedures like colposcopy, laparoscopic and laser surgery. She was amongst a few in her specialty as a certified ultra-sonographer. Dr. Sharma was Board Certified in Ob-Gyn and was a Fellow of American College of Ob-Gyn. She was Director of Ob-Gyn Residency at St Vincent Medical Center for over 15 years. She was the Clinical Assistant Professor of Ob-Gyn at MCOT. She also served as Chairman of Ob-Gyn at St. Vincent Medical Center. She loved to teach residents the art of a forceps delivery and other surgical procedures. She was well-respected by residents and peers alike and received the 'Teacher of the Year' award. She particularly enjoyed helping couples overcome fertility problems. She sent a young infertile patient for artificial insemination to Virginia and delivered the first 'Test Tube Baby' in Toledo in mid 1980's which she discussed on local TV stations and was presented as a front page article in The Blade. Dr. Sharma was a founding member of The Hindu Temple of Toledo and served in various positions including President of Executive Committee and Chairman of The Board of Trustees. She led Vedic Yajna in Sanskrit at the Temple hundreds of times. She was an avid reader of scientific, medical, religious and historical books. She and Om researched around 300 books, journals and articles before co-writing and editing the book 'The Art and Science of Happiness' in Body, Mind and the Soul â€" a physician's perspective in 2016. She was fluent in Sanskrit, edited and forwarded the Book 'Know Thy Vedas World's First Books, Key to Human Life and Beyond' by VS Garg in 2018.

Rajni and Om were world travelers, visiting over 50 countries. Friends often seek her advice about 'what to see?' She always talked about the unspoiled beauty of nature, from the American prairies and the wonderful landscapes all around the world. They cruised around all the continents. She liked the shows on Broadway, West End, Paris, St. Petersburg and Las Vegas. She was particularly fond of the Rat Pack Concert and U2. Rajni enjoyed Urdu Poetry and often recited some famous verses in private. She was a shy and straight forward, believed in good-karma and was full of empathy and compassion. She preached and lived one day at a time in the present moment.

She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Promila, Krishna; and brothers, Naval and Dev. She leaves behind Om, her husband of 52 years; her brother, Jugal (Evelyn); and her sister, Uma; her sons, Sameer (Ruchira), Maneesh (Julie); and 5 beautiful grand sons, Shaan, Lex, Deven, Victor and Sheel. She was the matriarch of the family, the mentor and the guide with a towering personality and gracious smile. She hosted many social events at home, banquet halls and at the temple. She was a marvelous cook, often cooking Indian delicacies for parties. The Toledo community was her extended family. She will be dearly missed.

Services were held at Walker Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers you may make a donation to the Hindu Temple of Toledo. Online condolences to the family may be made at:

walkerfuneralhomes.com