Obituary of Maina Shastri

Maina Shastri (née Hira) (1939-2024)

Maina Shastri, our dear sweet, kind and graceful Mother,  passed away on the evening of August 24, 2024, having recently celebrated her 85th birthday. 

Mum was born on August 16,  1939, in Mombasa, Kenya to Moti and Sauvtri “Dolly” Hira. She and her brothers, Rustam and Subash, enjoyed an idyllic childhood in Kenya. Throughout her life, she faced every challenge with courage and faith, trusting in God's plan and provision with an unwavering belief and strength 

In 1957, Mum embarked on a new adventure, leaving Mombasa for England, where she met our father  Vijay. They were married in December 1962 and shortly thereafter blessed with two children Rahul (1964) and Serena (1965). Maina was fiercely proud of her children and taught them to stand up for what they believed was right and  instilling in them the importance of courage, conviction, and compassion.

The family moved to Canada in 1974, and  settled in Toronto.  Within a week or so of arriving in Canada, Maina took a job at the Ontario Blue Cross, which subsequently became the Ontario Hospital Association and then the Hospital of Ontario Pension Plan.  Remarkably, she in essence, spent her entire working career with 1 employer. She retired in 1999 after 25 years of service.

Maina was blessed with two grandchildren, Daven (1991) and Viren (1996). Mum loved being a Grandma and doted on her grandsons.

Mum was a true social butterfly. She had a gift for connecting with everyone she met. She loved  engaging in lively conversations, sharing stories, and making new friends. Her warm smile, infectious laughter, and generous spirit drew people to her.  Maina never spoke an unkind word. She was a lady through and through.

Mum’s love for beauty and life was evident in her passion for flowers. She could sit and stare at a vase of flowers or at a garden for extended periods, admiring the colours, the arrangements and the general beauty of nature.  

In her later years, Mum faced multiple health challenges with remarkable courage and resilience. Though the health conditions may have taken its toll, it never dimmed her zest for life. Her spirit remained unbroken, and her love for life never wavered.

The family would like to thank the medical staff and  personnel at North York General Hospital Markham Stouffville Hospital and Scarborough General Hospital, and Mark, Emma, Rishi and Grace from the Congir Don Mills Seniors apartments  Seniors Residence; Mum’s wonderful Family Doctor, Dr. Anita Lathia;  her neurologist Dr. Mario Masellis and Mum’s personal support worker and friend, Olga Penefiel and, all  who provided our mother with compassionate and excellent care and support in her waning months.

Maina is survived by her husband, Vijay, children Serena (Luis Estrada) and Rahul (Nita), grandchildren Daven (Anisa) and Viren, great grand daughter (Leia) and her brother Subash Hira (Kumi).   She will be dearly missed by each of us and each of the many friends and others she touched with her gentle way.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations be made in our mother's name to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto https://alz.to/  or the Canadian Cancer Society https://cancer.ca/en/

For those of you who cannot attend in person, please join us virtually through Zoom. 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84151658470?pwd=ruUmVjXVcl723K9gy9eqHTYOn0zVIN.1
Meeting ID: 841 5165 8470
Passcode: 825098