Sheila Gaikar

September 6, 1935 - April 26, 2019

Sheila Gaikar A Woman of Substance Sheila Bhatia Gaikar, whose given birth name was Santosh Bhatia, was born in Boulounshare, India September 6, 1935. She was the second oldest child born to Kamla and Vinod Bhatia. Sheila grew up in Mumbai, India and at the age of 9 years old, while flying kites with her brother, she met the man she was to eventually marry, Prabhakar G. Gaikar. While Sheila worked part-time with her father in his shoe polish factory, she pursued her education obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and, soon after, a Masters Degree in English. During her college years, Sheila won many awards in acting and was crowned Miss Khalsa College by Dilip Kumar, a famous Indian actor. In April 1967, Sheila moved herself and her 8-year old son, Roger Gaikar, to the United States of America to pursue the American Dream. Nine months later her daughter, Annupama Gaikar, was born. Soon after, Sheila enrolled in Whittier College where she earned a Master ́s in Education. She excelled, obtaining a job at El Rancho Unified School District prior to completing her degree. Sheila worked as a 5th-grade teacher in El Rancho Unified School District at Birney Elementary School in the same classroom (room 23) for 30 years. She was a well-respected teacher whom parents requested year after year to teach their children. Sheila, for all intents and purposes, was the sole earner in her home; therefore took on a second job working nights teaching an ESL class to adult students. Sheila often maintained she loved her chosen vocation and many students, parents, and colleagues alike have stated she was well loved and well respected. Sheila ́s belief and conviction of education was palatable; inspiring two children who pursued higher education. She often stated you can be stripped of anything, but never education. In the late 1970s, Sheila bought a Montessori School. She ran the school with great creativity until she decided to change direction and turn the buildings into rental units which she also did with great success. Amazing woman to say the least! After retirement, Sheila often took pleasure in gardening, reading, cooking GREAT Indian food, and seeing good Hindi films. She made room in her life and home taking in her sister ́s kids who came to the United States to further their education and create a life here in the states. Sheila cared for both her father and husband in her home until the day they both passed away. In November of 2008, Sheila was diagnosed with Cognitive Impairment due to several mini-strokes and subsequently, in November of 2010, she suffered a stroke which resulted in right side paralyzation. This event irrevocably changed Sheila ́s way of life. However with tenacity, grit, and fortitude she persisted and once again a different way of life was created. Throughout the last part of her life, Sheila remained firm in her convictions of the importance of family and friends. She was often concerned for the well being of her kids and her grandchildren. She was surrounded by caregivers who were loyal and kind to her and went to great lengths to ensure she lived a full life despite the physical and mental disability. Sheila was generous and kind to those in need. Her gift to this life was being accepting of others no matter what walks of life they were from. She had a gift. Many, many, people were blessed by her kindness and generosity until the day she passed away. She is truly a woman of substance and will always be remembered as courageous, loving, generous, and most of all...feisty Sheila is survived by her son, Roger Gaikar of Huntington Beach, California; daughter Annupama Gaikar Seymour, son-in-law Mark Allen Seymour of Temecula, California, and four grandchildren: Maggie E. Gaikar, Aaron J. Gaikar, Tyler J. Ellis, and Camille L. Seymour. She is also survived by her sister, Pramode Bevli; brother-in-law, Gauracharan Bevli of Yorba Linda, California and their children: Sangeeta and Sandeepa Bevli; her brother Anand Bhatia; sister-in-law, Shashi Bhatia of Laguna Beach, California and their two children: Rita Walia and Dev Bhatia. Lastly, her youngest sister, Kavita Ajmera and brother-in-law Kishor Ajmera of Mumbai, India and their children: Babita Tekchandani, Mamtha Mathrawala, and Jay Ajmera. Sheila passed away on Friday, April 26 at 1:10 pm. She will truly be missed by family, friends, and countless individuals whose lives she touched.