Story by Sabah Naqushbandi

I will always remember Jolly Aunty as a larger than life personality - bubbling with an abundance of love , optimism and endless bounds of positive energy.

I distinctly remember visiting her in sunny LA one time and us going to the cinema to watch W. together - yes , that film about George Bush (!). It was amazing and when I think back, I don’t know what was more entertaining - the movie or Jolly Aunty’s highly animated running commentary. I can’t imagine that cinema hall had ever experienced anyone so expressive and full of emotion in a movie like that before !

So every time I think of Jolly Aunty - that memory comes to mind and makes me smile. She had such a big personality, always so bold and honest in her opinion , never afraid to speak her mind openly and be herself. Her smile, her laughter , her passion , her empathy, her sense of justice - that real and raw emotion and strength of feeling in everything she said , did and felt was so beautiful to experience. It’s no wonder she led such a rich and full life, and I have no doubt that she has been a wonderful inspiration and role model to so many people (myself included!)

I’ll remember Jolly Aunty always as an incredibly inspiring strong independent woman, someone who wasn’t afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve, always proactive, active and thinking about others and her social responsibility, and just so full of selfless love. I personally could never keep up with all her different philanthropic projects . I never figured out how she made it look so effortless and easy as well.

Aside from raising a wonderful family, I know she mustn’t have touched so many people with her passion - and they like me will miss her incredibly . May her joy for life and jollyness live on in our hearts x