Our beloved Taj, wife of Syed Misbahuddin Ahmed, mother to Roohi, Shabina, Naheed, Nazim (Vanessa), grandmother to Cameron, Jayden, Elianna and Tess, passed away peacefully on her birthday Oct 24, 2024, surrounded by family and close friends.
Taj immigrated to Ottawa, Canada from Bangalore, India as a young bride in 1965.
Amongst the earliest significant wave of immigrants to Ottawa of South Asian descent, Taj was fluent in Urdu, Hindi, Kannada and English. Taj loved Canada. She brought culturally diverse communities together, supported her husband's efforts to build the first Ottawa Mosque, traveled with him to world scientific conferences, and devoted herself to raising four children whom she encouraged in studies, music lessons and sports. She studied at the University of Ottawa, was President of the Ottawa Muslim Women’s Auxiliary, a Girl Guides of Canada leader, a Welcome Wagon Hostess, a volunteer at Seniors’ homes, and a recipient of an Ontario Award for Excellence in Community Services.
She loved people, had a gorgeous smile, a gentle voice, had a pure, charitable and kind heart, often did random acts of kindness and easily made hundreds of friends from every background. She was a nature lover and enjoyed family picnics, camping, long walks, entertaining with delicious cooking and was involved in a mutually meaningful way with her neighbors. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and cousin to her family in India and other parts of the world with whom she kept in touch. Taj had youthful, sincere and fun-loving qualities, was relentlessly optimistic, and determined right up to her last breath to live for her family. She had a unique sense of humor and ability to laugh and make others laugh.
Taj was laid to rest at the Beechwood Cemetery on Oct. 28, 2024. Her legacy will be continued by her children whom she taught to be helpful, to make a difference in Canadian Society and to make a positive impact on the lives of others. She will be greatly missed.
The family kindly requests in lieu of flowers, to make donations in Taj’s name to: Any food bank of your choice or May Court Hospice on Cameron Avenue, Ottawa or to a Canadian diabetes organization.
Digital Guestbook
Gail Johnson and Biagio Carrese
Amina Motala
Aunty Taj I will miss your luminous soul, your beautiful smile and your endearing messages. You are forever a bright star ❤️✨
Lela and M.N.S. Swamy
We are very sorry to hear the very sad news of the passing away of our dear friend Taj, whom we had known for almost 60 years. Our condolences to Syed and the entire family. When my mother Nd Leela's mother visited us, we took them to Ottawa and stated with them and Taj made us feel quite at home. Likewise, Taj felt so comfortable, when her relatives from india, including her father, visited Canada, she brought them to Montreal for a visit and stayed with us. She was a very kind hearted, always cheerful and ever smiling individual. We are going to miss her. May her Soul rest in Eternal Peace
Patti_plantgirl@hotmail.com
Dear Shabina and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom was no doubt a giant in your world, infinitely beloved and an irreplaceable figure in your lives. I know how hard it is to lose that. All you can do now is cherish the love you had for each other and try to honour all the wisdom she shared with you. Hold tight to all the good memories and think of her as often as you can.
Big hugs, Patti Mullin-Baker and Gary Baker
Radhika Sekar
I lost a dear friend. Condolences to the family.
Ricky Garg
Taj Aunty was the embodiment of warmth and love. Her caring nature had a way of easing your worries and making you feel safe. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. May her soul rest in peace. 🙏🏻
Alex & Mirjana Vukovic
Taj was an angel on Earth. Person with big heart, full of love and understanding for all people. Taj will stay in our memories forever.
Zertaj (Bargees), Munawer and family
Dear Taj Khala. Such a wonderful person with a big heart, lovely smile and a great sense of humour. You will be greatly missed by all of us. May Allah give you the best place in heaven, and sabre jameel to Rashad uncle and the rest of the family. Aameen!!!
Rehana and Mazhar Mufti
We have been friends with Taj and her family since they came here. Initially we lived around the corner on the same street until the Ahmed family moved to a larger home not too far from us. The singing sessions we used to get together for, are still very prominent in our hearts. We will surely miss you Taj!
Alice and Mathew joseph
We loved Taj very much
Tag was always a ray of sunshine as she walked around our neighbourhood. She had a ready smile and warm words whenever we encountered her on her walks. Our sincere condolences to her family.