Parsiana sources information for the Milestones column from various anjumans, hospitals, individuals, newsletters and publications. While much of the material is sketchy, the Bombay marriages and death lists are quite exhaustive.
Data on marriages within the community in Bombay is culled four times in a year from the office of the Registrar of Marriages at the Bombay High Court and on interfaith unions from the Registrar of Marriages offices at Fort and Khar. There may be an inadvertent repetition of names in the marriage list when a civil marriage precedes a religious ceremony.
The list of the deceased with the causes of deaths for those consigned to the Doongerwadi in Bombay is provided by the Bombay Parsi Punchayet with a disclaimer that the information has not been verified or authenticated by them. The Worli Prayer Hall sends Parsiana names of those cremated there.
A few names of those deceased in October 2023 find mention here as well as those who passed away till November 8.
In the break-up of Bombay Doongerwadi deaths, especially of the elderly, death is often due to a combination of several diseases.
Causes of deaths for October 2023: Heart disease (15, six of whom were 80 years and over), cancer (10), pneumonia/lung disease (eight), septicemia (six), urosepsis (three), brain disease and kidney failure (two each) and diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, anemia hyponatremia (a condition that occurs when the level of sodium in the blood is too low), cellulitis (a common and potentially serious bacterial skin infection) and multi organ failure (one each). The viscera of a 58-year-old male was preserved for chemical analysis. A 55-year-old male was the youngest to breathe his last, the oldest, a 97-year-old female. The mean age at death of Zoroastrians for October 2023 in Bombay was 81 years. The life expectancy at birth for males was 78 years and for females, 84 years.
Parsiana also receives death intimations from the Poona Parsi Panchayat, Parsi Zoroastrian Anjuman of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, The Surat Parsi Panchayat Funds and Properties Trust, Jhansi Parsi Anjuman, Nagpur Parsi Punchayet, Zoroastrian Society of Ontario, Fram Framji of Karachi, Dr Ardeshir Damania of California and Arnavaz Sethna of Houston.
Data on births in Bombay is made available by the Breach Candy Hospital. Births in other hospitals and private nursing homes are included when an individual sends us information together with a copy of the birth certificate.
If readers have any births/ marriages/deaths they would like published, they are welcome to write to/email us. Some proof to ensure the veracity of the report would be necessary. We are sure our readers would appreciate this requirement.
Bombay
born
A boy to Nainaaz and Udayan Shah on October 1, 2023
A boy to Anahita Dotiwalla and Martin Chang; October 17
A boy to Pearl Bhumgara and Pourushasp Mehta; October 21
A girl to Lianne Ginwalla and Reuben Karkaria; October 24
A girl to Rashna Engineer and Arshish Dastoor; October 26
A girl to Naira and Jehangir Jejeebhoy; October 27
died
consigned
Jeroo Adil Olpadwalla (71), wife of late Adil, daughter of late Goola and late Dorabji Variava, mother of Zenobia Neville Patel, Binaz Vivek Tambe and Diana Olpadwalla and sister of Roshan, Kersi Variava, Homi Variava, Jimmy Variava, late Malcolm Variava, Gustad Variava and Rusie Variava residing at N. M. Petit Widow’s Home, 133, Modi St, Fort, 400001; October 22
Cyrus Ratanji Vajifdar (55), son of late Aloo and Ratanji and brother of Jasmine Yazdi Bharucha, Room no 206,
Pandya Mans, 2625, J. S. S. Rd, Dhobitalao, 400001; October 22
Rhoda Shiavax Balaporia (97), wife of late Shiavax, daughter of late Tehmina and late Burjor Vazifdar, mother of Adil, Mahazarine Khusroo Pestonji and Hootokshi Balaporia and sister of Statira Behram Balaporia, late Roshan, Rutty, Armaity and Darius Vazifdar, 789,
Kerawalla Bldg, Jame Jamshed Rd, Parsi Clny, Dadar (E), 400014; October 23
Zarir Phiroze Dhabhar (65), son of late Sheroo and Phiroze and brother of Maharukh Jal Mogal and Pervin Dinyar Mistry, 2, Wadia Block no 2, Malcolm Baug, opp Jogeshwari Stn, Jogeshwari, 400102; October 23
Mehera Dady Dubash (91), daughter of late Alamai and late Dadabhai and sister of late Soli Dubash, Amy and Mehli Dubash, 53/54, Mehrdad, 64, Cuffe Parade, opp President Hotel, Colaba, 400005; October 23
Edul Rustomji Karanjia (80), husband of Jeroo, son of late Roshan and Rustomji, father of Nazneen Neville Navalmanek and Zarir and brother of Homai, Bomi, Goolu, Yasmin, Keshmira and Keki, C/29, Jer Baug, Ambedkar Rd, Byculla (E), 400007; October 23
Tehmasp Sorab Khareghat (90), husband of late Zarin, son of late Dhun and Sorab and father of Farhad and Dhun Aditya Wanchoo, A-12, Cusrow Baug, S. B. Rd, near Electric Hse, Colaba, 400005; October 25
Roshan Adi Patva (94), wife of late Adi, daughter of late Kooverbai Shavakshaw Deboo and mother of Viraf, Kersasp and Darius, B-31, Shakti Sadan Co-op Hsg Soc Ltd, Lamington Rd, Grant Rd, 400007;
October 25
Bapsy Jimmy Sethna (77), wife of late Jimmy, daughter of late Amymai Jehangirji Tavadia, mother of Anahita and Dilnar and sister of Homai Tavadia, 22/3, A. H. Wadia Baug
Co-op Hsg Soc, Parel Tank
Rd, 400033; October 25
Jamshed Minocher Billimoria (91), husband of late Mehroo, son of late Homai and late Minocher, father of Freny and Rohinton and brother of Homi, Dadi, Viloo A. Mistry, Keki and late Viraf, D Block, Harganga Mhl, Khodadad Circle, Tilak Rd, Dadar, 400014; October 27
Gool Noshir Buhariwalla (87), wife of late Noshir, daughter of late Shirinbai and late Rustomji Mody, mother of Fauza Dinyar Marolia and Binaifer Hoshang Nazir and sister of Dinshaw Mody, late Jimmy Mody, Keki Mody, Jal Mody, Freny Master and Mehroo Irani, 10, Arya Mahila Samaj Bldg, Kashibai
Nawrange Marg, Gamdevi, 400007; October 27
Cyrus Dinshaw Davierwalla (73), husband of Jasmin, son of late Baimai and Dinshaw, father of Farhad, Mearzie and Zeenia Farshad Felfeli and brother of late Adi and Maharukh Davierwalla, B-2/107, B. S. Panthaky Baug, Andheri (E), 400069; October 30
Jamshed Ruttonsha Sumariwalla (87), husband of late Parizad, son of late Bachamai and Ruttonsha, father of
Shahnoor Mehernosh Mehta and brother of Eruch, Fali,
late Keki, Mani and Dolly, 676/A, Faredoon Ter, Rd no 13, Parsi Clny, Dadar, 400014; October 30
Firoze Minocher Sahiar (78), husband of Katy, son of late Dhunmai and Minocher, father of Nazneen Burzin Luth and Cyrus and brother of Noshir, Rohinton and late Siloo, 6/17, Rustomji Bldg, Lady Pochkhanwala Rd, Grant Rd, 400007; October 31
Eruch Ruttonshah Sumariwalla (89), husband of late Rodamai, son of late Bachabai and Ruttonsha, father of Soonoo Porus Aria and late Pahlan and brother of Faramroz, late Keki, late Jamshed (Jimmy), Dolly and Mani, 62, Hirabai Petit Bldg, Alibhai Premji Rd, Grant Rd (E), 400007; October 31
Firoze (Fili) Edulji Bulsara (88), husband of Mehroo, son of late Meherbai and Edulji
and brother of late Nergish
Nariman Marawalla, late Homai Faredoon Daruwalla and late Katy Minoo Pardiwalla, Lady Darab Tata Bldg no 2, Tata Blocks, S. V. Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; November 1
Khorshed Rustam Irani (82), wife of late Rustam, daughter of late Gulestan and Namdar Irani, mother of Kharmane Khodabux Sukhabi, Banoo Umar Zariwalla and Nillufer Amanullah Achickzay and sister of Jamshed Irani, Behram Irani, Aspandiar Irani, Homai and late Keki Irani, D/4, Palmlands, Navajbai Contractor Baug, Mori Rd, Mahim, 400016; November 1
Naju Framroz Karani (82), daughter of Piroja and Framroz and sister of late Dosu, Putli, Perin, Prochi, Dhun and Silloo, 603, Cool Shanagh, Navroji Gamadiya Rd, off Peddar Rd, 400026; November 1
Hutoxi Sorab Patel (69), wife of Sorab, daughter of late Daulatbanu and Pirojsha Gonda, mother of Khushru and Kaizad and sister of Freddy Gonda, Marzu Gonda, Parvez Gonda, Freny Sanjana and late Kersi Gonda, A-2/101, Vikas Complex, Castle Mill Compd, L. B. S. Marg, Thana (W), 400601; November 1
Farida Kali Siganporia (75), wife of Kali, daughter of late Lilimai and late Manchershaw Elavia, mother of Kainaz Jimmy Buhariwala and sister of Ratan Elavia and Viloo N. Iranpur, 7/1, Jijibhoy Bldg, Gamadia Clny, Tardeo, 400007; November 2
Dhunjisha Darabsha Wadia (74), son of late Shirinbai and late Darabsha and brother of Kersi and late Piloo, C-24, Nowroz Baug, Dr S. S. Rao Rd, Lalbaug, 400012; November 2
Amy Adi Balivala (85), wife of late Adi, daughter of late Dosibai and Dosabai Dumasia, mother of Tanaz Shahid Badshah and Ruby Homi Pastakia and sister of Dara, Roshan, Sunnu, Jehanbax, late Phirojsha, Minoo, Perin, Katy, Aloo and Homai, 301, Meena Mhl,
Gonsalves Rd, T. P. S. IV, Bandra (W), 400050; November 5
Cavas Behramshaw Bacha (88), husband of Homai, son of late Shirin Bai and Behramsha, father of Khushru and brother of late Shavakshaw, Eruch, Jal, Maneck, 62, Patel Apts, Agyari Lane, Jambhali Naka, Thana (W) 400601; November 6
Rohinton Keki Hakim (74), son of late Mehroo and Keki and brother of Nariosang, Zarine, Nawaz and Thrity, Room no 5, Banoo Chmbs, Brahma Deo Khot Marg, Dockyard Rd, Mazgaon, 400010; November 7
Gover Ardeshir Irani (86), wife of late Ardeshir, daughter of late Daulat Darab Irani, mother of Kashmira, Farishta F. Meherbani, Jasmine and late Hosang and sister of late Boman Irani, Adi Irani, Sheriar Irani, Soltoon and Beroze,
601, Wasabi Grove Bldg no 5,
Padma Ngr, Borivali (W), 400092; November 8
cremated
Darayas Pheroze Malegam (63), husband of late Zarin, son of late Khorshed and late Pheroze and father of Keshad, Farhad and Rushad, 1/A, Ed Vin, near D’Monte Park, 189, Perry Rd, Bandra (W), 400050; October 26
Cyrus Dadiba Malesra (74), husband of Jashwanti, son of late Khorshed and late Dadiba, father of Rohinton and brother of Hoshang and late Homiyar, 2501/A, Lodha Grandeur,
Rahimtullah Sayani Rd, Prabhadevi, 400025; October 28
NAVSARI
died
Perin Kekhashru Dhanda (Chhindiawala) (85), mother of Jasmin, Panzy, Ruby and Urvax, F-8, Old Avabaug, 396445; October 7
Rati Keki Patel (93), sister of Firoz Sui, Parin Postwala and late Adi Sui, City Square, 396445; October 8
Sheroo Fali Variava (73), wife of Fali, J/6, Avabaug, 396445; October 10
Dolly Hosi Besania (79), wife of late Hosi and mother of late Jaru, Diana, Kerfegar and Parizad, Old Avabaug, 396445; October 18
Cyrus Sorabji Vasania (56), husband of Gulshan, son of late Bepsi and late Sorabji, father of Rayomand and Nouzer and brother of Nevil and Jimmy; October 25
Dhan Keki Tamna (33), sister of Firoza and Meher Parvez Shroff, Athwa St, 396445; October 29
JAMSHEDPUR
died
Nargis Russi Chowna (86), wife of late Russi, daughter of late Aimai and late Naval Wadia and sister of Minnie Shapur Dinshaw, Sarosh Firoz Tantra and Homi Wadia, 10, Parsee Clny, Straight Mile Rd, 831001; August 1 (buried)
POONA
died
Vispi Soli Vesuna (65), husband of Havovi, son of late Irene and late Soli, father of Pearl Sahil Mali and brother of Rumi, 601, Asper Niyati Ambience, Manmanwadi, Undri, 411060; September 8
Hilla Sohrab Kohina (94), wife of late Sohrab, daughter of late Meherbai and late Mehernosh Masani, mother of Hutoxi and sister of late Rustom Masani, late Bahadur Masani, late Maneck Masani, late Naval Masani, late Hoshang Masani and Nergish Sethna, 20/G, Mody Clny, Synagogue St, 411001; September 19
Zarine Minoo Cooper (70), Darvesh Hse, 12, Sahaney Sujan Park, 411040;
September 26
SECUNDERABAD
died
Minnie Shapur Dinshaw (95), wife of late Shapur, daughter of late Aimai and late Naval Wadia, mother of Bejan and sister of Sarosh Firoz Tantra, late Nargis Russi Chowna and Homi Wadia, 125, M. G. Rd, 500003; September 20
Armaiti Marezban Mistry (74), wife of Marezban and mother of Aasdin, 17, Bapoo Baug, M. G. Rd, Macleoud Guda, 500003; October 21
Jamshed B. Irani (82), husband of Zenobia, father of Roda R. Bastawalla, Benifer R. Gotla and Razwin and brother of
Minoo, 2-5-103/11, Bapoo Baug, M. G. Rd, Macleoud Guda, 500003; October 24
• • •
AUSTRALIA
New South Wales
died
Farokh Pestonji Billimoria, husband of Nerges and brother of late Jamshed and late Kersi in Sydney; October 26
CANADA
Ontario
died
Mani Pacy Divecha, wife of late Pacy, mother of Darayus, Xerxes and Nerius and sister of Nari Nargolwalla, Dinaz Rustomji, late Feroze Nargolwalla and late Sam Nargolwalla in Markham; October 25
PAKISTAN
Karachi
died
Sheroo Bhikhaji Magol, wife of late Bhikhaji and sister of Perviz Jimmy Mobed; October 8
Jal Phiroze Boga, husband of Ava and father of Meher and Rustom; October 22
Dadi Jehangir Banaji, husband of Perveen, son of late Rata and Jehangir, father of Danishwar, Narius and Farishteh Kapadia and brother of Shirin Byramji, Sohrab, late Kersi, late Nergis Byramji and late Amy Hussain; October 28
UK
England
died
Jal Framji, husband of late Doris and Cvetka, son of late Najoo (Baby) and late Dhun, father of Jamshed, Daraius, late Cyrus, late Jal Jr, Yasmin and late Fram Jr and brother of late Vera Rustom Khory and Fram in Cheshire; November 2
Noshir Jalejar Umrigar (93), husband of Freny, son of late Shirinbai and late Jalejar, father of Sharon Rumi Talati, 93, Heathlee Rd, Blackheath, London SE3 9HS; November 6
USA
California
died
Neville Farrokh Patel (54), husband of Dilshad, son of late Roshan and Farrokh, father of Azita, Mehreen and Benita and brother of Parinaz Adi Desai in Sacramento; October 21
Texas
married
Lindsay Lafferty and Kersasp Aspi Cawasji in Dallas;
October 15
• • •
Figures for Bombay
January 1-November 8, 2023
Marriages: 67
Parsi: 44
Interfaith: 23
Males married out: 12
Females married out: 11
Deaths: 577
Consigned to dakhmas: 520
Males: 260, Females: 260
Cremated: 57
Males: 26, Females: 31
Compiled by Roxan A. Driver