Family Tree

Sita Roy was born at Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, 30 Aug 1914 and died at Kingston, Ulster,
New York, 30 Dec 2003. She married at Shimla, Punjab (now Himachel Pradesh), India, Jan
1942, Muhammed Zahir-ul-Haque.

Sita changed her first name to Salma in the 1950s.
Within the family she was always called Sita, and he was called Zahir. Outside the family he was
referred to as Captain, Major or Colonel Zahiruddin.

Dr. Salma Sita Zahiruddin, a resident of Kingston since 1980 died on December 30, 2003 at Kingston Hospital following a brief illness. Dr. Zahiruddin whose specialization was in Obstetrics and Gynecology graduated from the Lady Harding Medical College for Women in New Delhi in 1939 and practiced medicine in India, Pakistan and England until1961 when she migrated to the United States. In New York City, she worked at the French Hospital, the New York Infirmary and the Gouverneur Hospital in lower Manhattan. She was also on the faculty of the New York University Medical Center. Dr. Zahiruddin was born in Calcutta on August 30, 1914 to Narendra Kumar and Rajkumari Roy. She married Colonel Muhammed Zahiruddin in 1942 and moved to Pakistan in 1947 amidst the tumultuous partition of India and Pakistan and the tragedy suffered by all sides during that historic event. She worked in Karachi, Quetta and Lahore in Pakistan until 1960 for government hospitals administering to railway workers and their families. Her dedication to the health needs of the poor, in particular, women and children, was acknowledged widely. In later years, she recalled with great nostalgia, her work among the Pathan and Afghan people during her stay in Quetta and admired the people for their sense of honor, honesty and hospitality. The upheaval and violence that has descended on the people of those regions in recent times were a source of great pain to her. Subsequent to her retirement at the age of 74 in 1988, she enjoyed her years of leisure by getting to know the City of Kingston and her neighbors, maintaining close contact with family members, traveling far and wide, her avid interest in world affairs and most of all, by tending her garden at 2 President’s Place. She belonged to several local organizations, including, the YWCA of Ulster County, the Medical Society of Ulster County and the American Association of University Women. She was dedicated in philanthropy to causes, local, national and international and supported organizations that work to avert hunger and suffering and that promote peace. She will be missed by: her two daughters, Azra Farrell (Nyack, N.Y.) and Rehana Ahmad-Haque (Manhattan); three grandchildren, Rehana Farrell and her husband Damon Grandbouche (Hoboken, N.J.), Ravi Ahmad-Haque (Oxford, U.K.) and Adil Ahmad-Haque (New Haven, CT); a sister, Dr. Dipti Sisodia (Kingston); and two brothers, Professor Rustum Roy (State College, PA) and Dr. Prodipto Roy (New Delhi, India). Her family, neighbors, friends and patients worldwide will always remember her dedication, compassion, elegance and dignity. Memorial contributions may be made to Family of Woodstock, PO Box 3516, Kingston, NY 12401; the YWCA, 209 Clinton Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401; Bread for the World, UNICEF or the D.A.V., 3725 Alexandria Pike, Cold Spring, KY 41076, Doctors without Borders, CARE, and the Carter Center.

On behalf of the Officers, members, and staff of the Ulster County Medical Society, I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Salma S. Zahiruddin MD. Dr. Zahiruddin was a member of the Ulster County Medical Society and her occasional presence at our membership meetings will certainly be missed. Loretta A. Ponesse Executive Director Ulster County Medical Society

Ulster County Medical Society

2009年4月06日

We are sending a contribution to her charity and a note to the family. We loved her very much and we are sorry that we are unable to attend the memorial service and reception.

Ruth Anne and Joseph Pettinichi

2009年4月06日

It was an honor and a blessing to have met Dr Zahiruddin in July of 1979 at our common workplace were we both shared our love of work and desire to reach out and help the multitude of women seeking care. I dearly loved and respected her and we had many deep and insightful conversations that I will never forget. I sincerely wish that preocupations of everyday life would not have existed in the latter years and allowed me more time to meet and spend with her. Salma, you were a great lady and a wonderful human being. My deep condolences to her family.

mariana zane

2009年4月06日

Aunty Sita whom I first met in 1953 at 154-A Wallace Road, Railway Colony, Lahore was a wonderful lady - charming, elegant,dignified, gracious, compassionate and, indeed remarkable.Infact, my own mother, Dr. Amtul Hafeez and Aunty were togather at Lady Harding! I can write pages on my loving Aunt, but suffice would it be if I said if Amtul Hafeez was not my mother I would wish Aunty Sita to be! Adieu. God bless her. With prayers from my wife Shabnam and myself, Jehangir Nasrullah

Jehangir Nasrullah

2009年4月06日

Auntie Sita had a personality that inspired love and admiration. She really cared and that is what made her unforgettable. She is a part of my memories from fifth grade onward, when she came to work in Lahore from Quetta, and she and my mother renewed their old acquaintance from medical college in Delhi. We six had great times together, till they left for the US. They were Auntie, Bunny and Booji and we were my mother, my younger sister, now Doctor Mona Snyder in North Carolina, and I. Antie dressed me as a Balochi girl at a school fancy dress party and I won a prize. The costume was authentic, from a Quetta patient. She lauded me when I got an unexpectedly good result at my school graduation. She said I had proved my worth. Once when I had my long hair cut short, she said I had personality. On her visits to Pakistan from America, I had my two eldest children and her valuable guidance and advice was available. In other words, she was there for me for all the things that mattered. I visited her home in America with my mother and will always remember her appreciation and kindness. I wish Bunny and Booji a great life ahead to do her proud. Najma Nasrullah

Najma Nasrullah

2009年4月06日

Dr. Zahiruddin was a great lady. Last I met her in the 70s in Lahore. I was always fascinated by her and her infinite wisdom the quiet unhurried demeanor and the subtle humor. In explaining the differences in life in the US verses that in Lahore she explained that in Lahore we lived to eat and US we ate to live. She was there for everyone, great lady. She will be missed profoundly. Our thoughts are with you Bujji and family.

Hamid Zaidi

2009年4月06日

Although I met you only once, more than twenty years ago one summer afternoon in Demarest, New Jersey, I still remember our brief conversation. Thank you, Aunty Sita, for your kind words and advice.

Anwar

2009年4月06日

Rehana and family, You are in our thoughts.

Stephanie Rugoff and Mike Locker

2009年4月06日

All the volunteer staff at the Happy Apple Thrift Shop send their condolences to Salma's family. We considered her a friend and always looked forward to her visits at the shop. She was a warm and gracious person and we will miss her.

Mary Pardonner

2009年4月06日

Please accept our condolences with fond memories of Dr. Zahiruddin's contributions to the YWCA of Ulster County -- she was a faithful and dear friend to our members and the women and children we serve. Carol LeMay, President Board of Directors YWCA of Ulster County

Carol LeMay

2009年4月06日

Azra, You are in our thoughts and prayers;please accept our condolences. Elissa and John

Elissa Dini & John Stanzione

2009年4月06日

To have known Salma and to be considered her friends was our privilege.She was a beautiful person.We pray for her eternal peace.Condolences to her dear ones. Love. Mary&George

George&Mary Joseph

2009年4月06日

As my parent's neighbor, Dr. Z (as we affectionately called her) was a treasured friend and a delight to have known. This past August, I was in Kingston to visit my parents. As always, she welcomed me into her home and we shared a cup of tea, talked about our families, the world around us and her peaceful life in Kingston. I also brought my children Kristina, 8, and Patrick, 2, to meet her. I always enjoyed our talks and the chance to see her lovely flowers. I will miss her and send my deepest sympathies to her family.

Lisa (Pettinichi) Middlebrook

2009年4月06日