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My brother Adi Cooper’s mother-in-law, Silloo Nanavaty, was amazing. At over 100 years, her youthful looks and active mind belied her age. Born on April 28, 1923, she lived through two millennia, encompassing a period of immense change — social, political, scientific and environmental. She passed away peacefully on June 28, 2025, exactly two months after her 102nd birthday.

Many of us find it difficult to adjust to modern technology that meets our needs in everyday life. Silloo, however, took all these changes in her stride. She vividly recollected the old telephone with its stand, on which she used to chat with friends and family. Later, she was equally comfortable with the mobile.

Silloo had a regular schedule of frequent small meals, using the computer, doing her crossword and watching television serials until after 1 a.m., which kept her mind well occupied. She looked forward to meeting relatives and friends, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. With her progressive thinking and acceptance of the views of today’s youngsters, she was comfortable with open relationships between the sexes.

Born at the Tehmulji Parsi-Lying-in Hospital to Goolbai and Dr Sorabji Cama, Silloo grew up in a modest home, living initially at Gowalia Tank and later in Mazgaon. Her early schooling was at Girton High School, run by Ms Patuck who later became principal of the prestigious J. B. Petit High School. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from St Xavier’s College. It was her mother’s desire that Silloo should become a graduate, as she herself had been unable to do so, having had to care for her brothers and sisters at a very young age.

Goolbai was originally from Ahmedabad, from the Bhavnagri family. Her father worked as a spinning master in the Madhubai Mills. During the school holidays, Silloo would visit her grandparents in Ahmedabad, travelling by train in the third class. They enjoyed vacations playing with cousins and friends in the nearby gullies (lanes). Silloo remembered the tonga rides, and the flocks of pigeons that gathered in the gardens and at railway stations.

Her maternal grandfather had re-married after he became a widower with five children, four boys and one girl. Silloo recalled her grandmother as being very short, but very active, looking after her step-children as well as four of her own, a total of nine.

Silloo was 20 when her brother Jhangoo introduced her to Minoo Nanavaty. It was love at first sight for both. They often met at gahanbars. During their courtship, Silloo said, "We spent romantic evenings sitting on a bench near Wodehouse Road which at that time overlooked the sea and had a beach below. Our evening strolls took us to the old Cuffe Parade, with its stone benches. We also used to walk on Marine Drive, which was as popular then as it is now, but not so crowded.” They married in 1945, initially staying at Minoo’s father’s house in Forjett Street, and later, after their daughter Feroza was born, moving to Ben Nevis at Warden Road near Scandal Point, as the beach in front of The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital’s gate was then known.

Silloo had great regard for her mother Goolbai, who was self-educated, having had no time for her own schooling. Ironically, all her eight children were highly educated, being doctors, professors and businessmen. However, Goolbai wrote poetry and several short stories. She was a staunch supporter of Mahatma Gandhi and would attend his rallies. All praise for her versatility, Silloo stated that her mother was a wonderful seamstress with a flair for artistic embroidery. Her customers came from all religions and nationalities, but Silloo especially recalled the Marwari women who placed fancy orders, had impeccable taste, and happily paid the price for the delicate hand embroidery done. In her parents’ home saris were stretched out on laas (frames) and there was the constant presence of workers. She would help her mother in her work, even after her marriage.

Sorabji came from a wealthy merchant family and was one of 19 children! His father had hired a teacher, none other than Dadabhai Naoroji, to educate his children at their home at Prospect Lodge. Dadabhai was known as "Masterji.” Sorabji was a well-known dentist and had a flourishing practice. He saved enough money to construct a building called Kismet in Colaba, where they lived. Silloo’s sister Freny and her family also lived there.

Silloo and Minoo had two daughters, Feroza and Persis, the latter being nine years younger. Feroza married my brother Adi, son of the late Dr R. A. F. Cooper and Mehra, daughter of Sir Sorabji Pochkhanawalla, founder of the Central Bank of India. Feroza and Adi moved to Jamshedpur, but soon returned when he joined TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) in its initial stages. They settled in Bombay and now live in Worli. Silloo moved in with them when she was 99 years old. Prior to that, for many years she lived with Minoo off Warden Road and continued to reside there alone after Minoo passed away in 1978 at the age of 64.

Persis married Behram Pesina, son of Arnavaz and Keki. Initially he worked with his father-in-law in their plastic manufacturing concern, but moved to the USA in the late 1980s where he joined his family’s fashion business. Silloo managed the Indian side of fashion and designing for their garment exports. Among her creations was a designer gown made for the then First Lady Nancy Reagan at the time of US President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration.

Silloo and Minoo led a simple but happy life. Minoo was not fond of travel, but enjoyed going out on weekends with a close group of 10 to 12 friends for a late night meal of biryani at Khopoli or Talegaon, or to Wilson Dam at Khandala. The Nanavatys bought a home in Khandala, which is happily used by the family. Silloo loved London and Italy, which she remembers visiting with her daughter and their friend Jeroo. She took a cruise on the President Wilson with Persis, visiting Japan, Honolulu and Bird Island in the Seychelles. 

Having stopped her embroidery business at 89, she kept herself occupied with Tai Chi classes, using the computer and watching television. Among her few fast friends was Moti Vakeel, the long-serving secretary of neurologist Dr Noshir Wadia. Silloo was not fond of cards, though she enjoyed playing mahjong, and was able to hold her own in that game. After moving in with Feroza and Adi she continued her activities as per a schedule.

Her philosophy in life was: "Gone is gone,” and though one may have lived in a good age where there was time for leisure, less stress and competition, one should accept the present, which she did graciously. She observed that today’s generation has little time for each other, to relax and talk, and was disturbed by the accelerated pace of life with increase in vehicular speed, violence and rage. At the same time, preservation of the ecosystems in the world is necessary, for with their destruction, humanity will suffer.

Her progressive approach and calm acceptance will continue to inspire successive generations weave the positive aspects of the past into the fabric of the future. 

I will conclude with a poem:

"Your youthful spirit and charming grace,

Will live forever in time and space.

Your acceptance of the views of today’s youth,

Is a lesson to all of us in truth.

To accept changes in our stride,

We will always remember you as our guide.”