Shahjahan Akhtar

Today we remember our beloved mother Shahjahan Mahmood Akhtar.  

She was born on February 21, 1943, in Lahore, India - which is now Pakistan. A beautiful girl with dark curly hair, the first child of Haji Mahmood and Bilquis Sahiba. Shahjahan would be the oldest of eight siblings - four sisters and four brothers.

Her childhood was opulent and full of joy, as the favorite child of Haji Mahmood, a reputed trader of dry goods in Lahore, whose presence and absence in town was signaled by a light atop the tallest ‘Kothi’ in a well-known neighborhood in Lahore. Shahjahan often recounted how she and her siblings used to play in and enjoy varieties of nuts and dried fruits from large containers spread throughout the multi-story mansion, which also had pet deer in the gardens outside.

In 1962, Shahjahan Mahmood married Humayun Akhtar, a dashing young Naval officer, and became Shahjahan Akhtar.  She enjoyed the next 62 years of her life, 54 of them with her life-partner in Pakistan, France, Saudi Arabia, and America, and traveling all over the world.  She was a teacher and taught religious students at various schools around the world, including the Head Principal of one in Karachi, Pakistan. America has been her home for the last 30 years, traveling and living between her children in California, Indiana, and Illinois. She visited many countries and made many friends, freely and lovingly showering them with blessings and prayers from her heart.

She was a woman of deep faith, profound substance, and with a heart of gold. Anyone who knew her knew that she never harbored any ill-will, truly embodying the kindest and most generous forgive and forget mindset. She was deeply religious, but never imposed her beliefs; rather she called out intolerant views.  

She had a passion for learning and teaching - saying that learning and teaching is a service to humanity and God. Even though she had a masters degree as woman in India that she earned in the 60’s, She wanted to do a PhD in Arabic, and a Masters in English - and that was just in the last two years of her life!

Her laughter was pure and from the heart.  She enjoyed good food; had a keen eye for beautiful clothes and loved looking good.  And she looked good, till her last day.  

She went to her final resting place on April 16th,2024 at 5:02pm in Champaign, IL. surrounded by her children and loved ones.

She is survived by her four children, two daughters and two sons and their families; eleven grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren (so far).

We will remember and miss her every day as we are sure she will be by the multitude of people who came in her orbit.  What better legacy could any of us ask for.

With love

Rashid and Masooda Bashir in Champaign, IL (on behalf of the family)

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