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
Neela Rao
Adam Ahmed
Taj Auntie had a way of making everyone around her feel loved and valued, and her presence was such a gift to us all. She is very missed by Helle and me.
Selma Hassan
Remembered fondly as a wonderful auntie to us all. Allah yirhama.
Galen Fairchild
We never had the opportunity to meet, Mrs. Ahmed, but since 1991 I have had the honor to count your daughter, Roohi, a friend. If the intelligence, charm and character of a daughter are traits inherited and cultivated by mothers, then I deeply regret our never having had the opportunity to become better acquainted. May you rest in peace with profound pride in the legacy you have left behind, madam.
Robert M
Taj was always so kind, generous with her time and thoughtful to me. This world will miss her.
Kim Nichols
What an inspiration your Mother was. A generous and loving soul who served God well. And clearly a life lived well.
Saba Ahmad
Nahid I'm so sorry for your tremendous loss. I had no idea how committed to volunteering your mother was. You have my heartfelt condolences.
Ponnappa Paikera and Family
Taj Ahmed and family were friends when our family lived in Ottawa. Her presence was always heartfelt. Taj exuded warmth and kindness. It is not surprising reading about her many accomplishments. Taj was modest. She was an incredible hostess who openly welcomed everyone to her home and table. Her legacy will live on with her family. Our hearts go out to the Ahmed family. Taj is now part of the light in the universe.
Tariq Gordon
My condolences to the family, a very great loss to the community.
Michael Rinker, Eli and Priya
Taj will be missed very much.
She was always smiling, and very kind. She would drop by with some of her cooking - a welcome treat for us. On a couple of occasions when I had my basketball net out, she would give it a try. Such joy she had when she made a basket. This was just a year or two ago – so it took a lot of effort. We really shared a lot of laughs then.
Taj was my great friend and we had many chats over the years. She was a beautiful and charming lady. I will miss her. Kanth and I pray for her soul to rest peacefully in the heavenly abode.
Neela