Obituary of Jamuben Vipinchandra Parikh

Celebration of Jamuben’s Life

14th Febuary 1938 - 24th May 2023

Jamuben (Jamuna) Vipinchandra Parikh was born on February 14th, 1938 to Lalitaben and Hiralal Sheth in Sankheda, Gujarat, India. At the age of two, she lost her mother, and since then she was raised by her beloved and caring stepmother, Shardaben Sheth.  She was the eldest of six sisters and one brother.

Her life can be described in one sentence as, “a devotee of the Parikh, Sheth, Dalal, and Talati families, and a greater devotee of god, Shreenathji” throughout her life in India and the US.

At the age of 16, she married a young chap, Vipinchandra (Vipin urfe Ambu) Chimanlal Parikh, also a native of Sankheda.  After their marriage in 1954, she attended Gujarat University in Nadiad, to seek a degree in arts. Shortly after, the young couple settled in Vadodara, where they raised five children - Kiran, Alpa, Dhruti, Rozy, Jaydeep. During her first year of college in 1956, she chose to dedicate her life to starting a family and gave birth to her oldest son, Kiran.

With her passion for cooking and music, she made sure creativity was an integral part of her as well as everyone else’s life. She was brought up in a family of devotees of lord Shreenathji which influenced all aspects of her livelihood. She learned Haveli Sangit from a renowned singer, Late Pandit Vitthaldas Bapodra.  Her silky voice was a perfect match for singing raas and garba to keep the neighbors dancing all night through the Navaratri season.Each year she contributed to Navaratri.  She often brought home a first prize from winning “vangi harifai”.  To date, the family enjoys her vangi recipes!

With the help of Khandubhai and Niranjanaben (Vipinbhai’s sister), Jamuben came to the US in October of 1984 with Vipinbhai and their three children (Dhruti, Rozy, and Jaydeep). She and Vipinbhai raised their children while staying with her sister-in-law Niranjana Foi at the Highway Motel.

She and Vipinbhai raised their children while staying with her sister-in-law Niranjana Foi at the Highway Motel. In America, Jamuben worked at Bradlee’s while helping her sister-in-law with the Motel. Later, she also worked for Fairfax County Public Schools in the cafeteria.

After the family purchased a townhome in Fairfax she began devoting hours of her time to worship Shreenathji. She would spend hours every day singing and reading holy scripture. She was a tremendously active phone-satsung participant and contributor for many years. She taught many Hindu traditions to her grandchildren, such as always asking Bhagwan to impart knowledge and good manners on them. Her 10 grandchildren, and her first great-grandchild, Leo, were her world.

Jamuben is survived by her five children, ten grandchildren, great-grandchild, daughter-in-laws Manisha and Kinjal, and son-in-laws Samir, Dilip and Sanjay. She loved being surrounded by her immediate and extended family, and always did the best for them.

Jamuben was known for her sweet acts of kindness where, no matter the occasion, she always offered prasad to everyone who entered her home. She was loved not only by family members, but by friends, neighbors and co-workers as well. 

Known by many names from her family and friends (Moti Mummy, Mummy, Ba, Jamu, Jamaniben, Jamuben), Jamuben’s lifestyle of simple living and devotion to Hinduism will be continued through generations. Jamuben’s lighthearted personality and sheer willpower will be heavily missed by those she knew. She will be remembered for her loving acts as a dedicated sister, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her love will be missed, but persist in our hearts forever.