It is with a heavy heart that we stand here today, mourning the passing of our beautiful mummy, Ilaben Vinod Budhdeo.

Our mum was a warm, compassionate soul, who touched the lives of all whom she met.

She had a charmed life as a young girl, growing up with her parents, Jinalal Bhai Mehta, affectionately known as Kaka, and her mum Chandrakalaben Mehta, and her wonderful siblings!

Intelligent and articulate, she went on to study microbiology at Elphiston College in Mumbai.

She loved dancing, winning many bharatnatyam and raasgarbacompetitions; taught Ikebana flower arranging and cooking classes.

In our Papa, our darling Simba, VinodbhaiBudhdeo, she met her soulmate. He absolutely adored her and whisked her away to Malindi then Mombasa, where she startedmarried life in the large Budhdeo family. Together they made a warm loving home.

Mum had tremendous energy.

Through her life, she juggled raising her young family, helping Papa with his pharmacy business and had a busy social life.

In London, they enjoyed many musical concerts and time with their close-knit group of friends.

Towards the later years, Mum juggled caring for our Papa when he developed Parkinson’s disease.

She still managed to rustle up her delicious dishes, her chocolate barfis and handvo are legendary.

When I think of her life, I feel it was like an elegantly landscaped garden, a garden of the heart.

Here she planted the strong values that gave our life its start.

She encouraged us to dream, fostering and nurturing our self-esteem.

We are all my mothers garden, enveloped by her fragrant perfume. The perfume of love and compassion, of an angel that has touched all ofour hearts.

A colourful tapestry that makes us family.

She leaves behind her wonderful legacy.

Every family has its tough times, and this has been a particularly difficult year for us. However, god always sends us angels to help us through these tough times and we thank you all for being there during our times of need.

Mum you are in the graceful curve of a lotus flower.

In the warmth and flavour and flavour of a meal cooked with love.

In the elegant simplicity of a saree, well draped.

In the beat of our hearts, you are always there.

We will always miss you Mum.

But you are always in your hearts.

Jai Shree Krishna.

Jai Swaminarayan.