Bhanu C. Shah

Bhanu C. Shah, 81, of North Haven, CT passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her husband of sixty two years, Champak Sha and their four children. Bhanu was born in Khanpur, Gujarat, India on June 9, 1943, a daughter of the late Maneklal and Shantaben Shah, and had resided in North Haven for the past thirty nine years. Bhanu was a loving wife, grandmother, and great grandmother. Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the life of my mother-a woman whose heart, strength, and spirit shaped not just our family, but so many lives around her. My mom was the definition of selfless. She gave, and gave, and gave-never asking for anything in return. No matter how tired she was, no matter what she might have been going through, she never complained. Not once. Her love was constant, quiet, and unconditional-the kind of love that didn't need to be spoken to be felt. She came to this country from India with courage in her heart and barley a word of English. She left behind the world she knew, and with quiet determination, she built a life here. She worked hard-harder than most of us ever knew. And through every challenge, she never let it show. She just kept going, with grace and quiet strength. And oh, her cooking-I know many of you here would agree-nothing in this world tasted like my mom's food. Her kitchen was a place of comfort, of love, of memories that will stay with us forever. She had that magic-not just with spices and flavors, but in the way she fed people's souls. She was the best grandmother-absolutely the best. Her grandkids adored her, and she poured so much of herself into caring for them. She was patient, warm, and always present. She gave them the kind of love that anchors you for a lifetime. But perhaps one of the most incredible things about my parents-and especially my mom-was how deeply they believed in giving others a chance. Together they sponsored over 150 people to come to America. That number alone is staggering, but to us, it wasn't the number. It was about the lives she helped change. She opened her door-and her heart-to everyone. She welcomed all, never turning anyone away. Her home was a refuge. Her presence a blessing. To me she was my mom. To many of you, she was a friend, a sister, and auntie, a guiding light. And to all of us, she was an example of what it means to live a life of quiet strength, kindness, and sacrifice. She may be gone from this world, but her legacy-her love-lives on in each of us. In every act of kindness, in every warm meal, in every person she helped, and every grandchild she held-she lives on. We love you, Mom. Thank you for everything. Bhanu is survived by her husband Champak Shah, three daughters, Shilpa (Hardeep) Dhindsa of Reno, NV, Bina (Dohn) Guyer of Midlothia, VA and Dipti Stash of Milford, one son, Shaun (Crystal) Shah of North Redding, MA, two sisters, Vimalben Shah of Middletown, DE and Daksha Shah of Luberton, NC, two brothers, Anil M. Shah of Germantown, MD and Bhupendra M. Shah of Gainesville, VA, eleven grandchildren, Ryan, Kyle, Justin and Isabelle Dhindsa, Nicholas, Matthew and Michael Guyer, Jenna and Jake Stash, and Alexander and Serena Shah, and one great-grandson, Noah Guyer. She was predeceased by her brother Shashikut Shah. Bhanu's family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday, May 28th from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Washington Memorial Funeral Home, 4 Washington Ave., North Haven. A funeral service will begin during visitation time at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be private. www.washingtonmemorialfh.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bhanu C. Shah, please visit our floral store.