THE WOODLANDS: A resident of The Woodlands, since 1988, Smita Mehta was known for tirelessly volunteering for her community, notably for The Woodlands India Association, Faiths Together, Seniors Forum, Memorial-Hermann The Woodlands Hospital, and the Hindu Temple of The Woodlands.
She was so devoted to her heritage and culture that she and her husband Dr. Snehal Mehta often opened up their beautiful home in The Woodlands to many community occasions, making many memories and friendships while also raising their children there. She was proud of being a Gujarati American and an active participant in the busy Indian community in greater Houston.
Smita was known for an unmatched zest for life and her many hobbies: tending to the beautiful plumeria and vegetables in her thriving garden, singing, swimming, cooking for her friends and family, creating art and traveling around the world. Also known for her generosity and compassion, she cultivated deep friendships and meaningful connections throughout her life.
A month after coming back from a vacation, Smita fell sick and succumbed to pneumonia on May 4, stunning everyone. She was 68 years old.
She was born on February 11, 1958 in Dahod, in Eastern Gujarat, India and moved with her parents to the US at the age of 5. Smita graduated from Normandy High School in Parma, Ohio in 1976 and went on to complete her bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston in 1980.
Smita Mehta (née Smita Girish Pandya) is survived by her husband of 46 years, Dr. Snehal Mehta; her two devoted children, Dr. Eshani Sheth (married to Neil Sheth) and Dr. Suril Mehta (married to Swati Mehta); and her four beautiful grandchildren Sarina and Sahil Sheth, and Sanvi and Seema Mehta, who were the absolute joys of her life. She is also survived by her beloved parents, Tanman and Girish Pandya, and her two dear younger brothers, Dr. Amit Pandya and Rajiv Pandya and their families.
Her family was the center of her world, and her legacy will continue through the love, traditions, strength, and joy she passed on to them. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who had a remarkable gift of making life fun. Holidays were magical because of her – filled with warmth, laughter, and the vibrant energy she brought into every gathering.
She will be profoundly missed by her husband, parents, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters-in-law, extended family, friends, and all whose lives were enriched by knowing her.
A funeral service was held for Smita on Friday, May 8 at Winford Funerals North with a follow-up memorial service with bhajans and dinner on Friday, May 15 at the Hindu Temple of The Woodlands.
The family asks that donations or acts of kindness be made in her honor to the Baylor College of Medicine Lung Institute which funds lung transplant research and pioneering new techniques, amongst other areas of innovation: https://tinyurl.com/2vm4p5jx.
