Vijaya Joshi’s life was defined by purpose and belief.
She was driven to make her children smarter, kinder, and successful. Her purpose was never confined to her family alone. She contributed deeply to her community as a religious organizer, a trusted friend, and a voice of reason. Her belief in a higher power made it easy for her to follow her conscience and stay true to what she knew was right.
She loved being a tutor to early childhood and middle school children. A college graduate with a master’s degree in Psychology, she worked hard to change perceptions about working women and advocated for equality, both at work and at home. She laid the foundation for her daughter, daughter in law, and granddaughter to pursue their own dreams and ambitions. She also passed on to her son the values and principles she so firmly believed in.
Her 44 years of companionship with her husband were filled with love, humor, and unwavering devotion. In April 2024, Vijaya was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (CJD). In her final months, even as short term memories began to fade, her heart remembered what mattered most. Her long term memories of their life together stayed clear, and her love for him continued to shine through.
Even as she faced the rapid onset of a disease with no cure, one of her final messages to her son reflected her tenacity and humor. She wished him a happy birthday and told him that she was “as fit as a fiddle.” She fought bravely for five months before passing in September 2024.
In her memory, her family hopes this fundraiser will support vital research to find a cure for CJD so that others do not have to endure the same suffering. She is deeply missed every day by her family.
One of her favorite reminders was a quote by Swami Vivekananda:
“Throughout history, if any motive power has been more potent than another in
the lives of all great men, it is that of faith in themselves.
The old religion said he was an atheist who didn’t believe in God;
the new religion says he is an atheist who doesn’t believe in himself.”