Dr. Ambika Baldev Bathija, of McLean, VA, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2023, at the age of 87. She is survived by her daughters, Anita and Manisha, her sister, Ansuya Passi, and numerous nephews, nieces, cousins and other relatives in the US and abroad. She is preceded in death by her husband, Baldev Bathija, her sister, Maya Karna and her brothers, Gul Tolani and Indru Tolani.
Ambika lived with Parkinson's for many years and didn't let it stop her from spending valuable time with family, traveling and enjoying life. Even as things progressed and made it harder or more painful for her to move, she fought persevered through the pain in order to give her family everything she had and share her love.
Ambika was born in India in 1935 to the late Jivatram and Hemi Tolani. She obtained her PhD in Biochemistry from The All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi and completed post-doctoral research at The University of Chicago, Harvard and Case Western University. She had a successful career of over 37 years with the US Government including 28 years with the Environment Protection Agency.
Ambika’s childhood growing up in India instilled a lifelong passion for family, education and adventure. After completing her PhD in 1963, she embarked on her first overseas adventure to the US to complete postdoctoral research but also used the time to travel across the country from the 1963-64 World’s Fair in NY to the Grand Canyon and many stops in between.
Shortly after returning to India, she met and married her husband, Baldev Bathija. They subsequently moved to New York, where both daughters were born. After additional moves to New Jersey and Maryland, they settled in McLean, Virginia in 1980 and together built a happy life in a home she would live in for another 40 years.
Growing up in a large family, Ambika was happiest when surrounded by her loved ones and friends. She loved to travel with family and especially with Baldev once they became empty nesters. She also found true joy in our frequent large family gatherings and hosting or attending the regular potlucks and parties with the Sindhi community.
She was a strong independent woman. When her husband, Baldev passed away suddenly in 1996, Ambika continued to thrive, making new friends, playing bridge and traveling around the world with family and friends. She was especially grateful to extended family and the local Sindhi community that rallied to support her.
Known for her quiet strength and love for her family, Ambika will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Ambika’s family asks that she be remembered for the joy she brought to others in life not the sadness of her passing.
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