Sushilaben was born in Wankaner, India on December 13 1935 to Manishanker Juthalal Joshi and Savitaben Manishanker Joshi.  She had five brothers and three sisters.  The family moved from India to Dar-Es-Salaam in Tanzania in 1950 where she continued with her studies and subsequently worked for the local government.  Outside of her academic achievements, she was also very artistic and creative, designing and making her own clothing, and also loved cooking for her family and friends. 

On July 5, 1961, Sushilaben married Surendrabhai Gaurishankar Pandit, and they moved to Nairobi, Kenya.  In 1964, their daughter Raksha was born, and the family moved to London, England in 1967. While Sushilaben held a variety of jobs, in both Nairobi and London, she would eventually retire as a Finance Officer for the Brent/Harrow Family Practitioners Committee, in October 2000, to take care of her husband, who passed away in April 2001.

Though battling her own health issues, she continued to live life fully, travelling the world extensively with her friends and family.  She was a real social butterfly and often took lead whenever she travelled by organizing the events and tours.  She was independent, always “out and about”, cooking and dropping off food to all her friends and family, taking people shopping and always entertaining at home too. She loved her friends and family and made the very best of her life. Despite her suffering a stroke in 2016, she continued to live life as fully as possible and maintained much of her independence. She never complained at all and was a positive inspiration to everyone around her.

Her grandson, Bhaven, was the apple of her eye.  She loved him more than life itself!  He was her entire world and she was so incredibly proud of him and his achievements.  She helped him to fulfill his dream of studying in the US and was an extremely proud grandmother at all of his subsequent graduations.  She was very excited to host his engagement at her home in 2014 and was "over the moon" with his wedding to Kate in 2017.  When she became a Great Nani in March 2021, her world was complete, and she was excited to tell everyone about the birth of Josie—showing them all photos and videos. Sushilaben spent many Sundays facetiming to check-in on Josie, and we are certain she will always be with her in heart and in spirit.

On July 6, 2021, Sushilaben was given the very sad news of acute renal and liver failure, and gallbladder cancer. She was in hospital for three weeks before being transferred to St Luke's Hospice in Kenton, where her last weeks were peaceful. All the staff there took such great care of her and made her as comfortable and pain-free as possible. Sushilaben passed away with her daughter, Raksha, and son-in-law, Kaushik, at her bedside.

The following quotes are so very appropriate for her!

"She made broken look beautiful and strong look invincible.  She walked with the universe on her shoulders and made it look like a pair of wings" - Ariana Dancu.

"She asked for so little but gave so very much."

"She loved life and it loved her right back."

Sushilaben was a wonderful, strong, intelligent and beautiful woman whose family and friends meant the absolute world to her.  Her beautiful memory will always live on in the hearts and minds of all those whose lives she touched.  We would ask you all to please share your story or memory of her below.

May her soul always rest in eternal peace. Aum Shanti Shanti Shanti.  Jai Shree Krishna.  Aum Sai Ram.  Jai Gayatri Mata.