In lieu of floral tributes, offerings in Hedwig’s memory may graciously be made to the Legionnaires of Christ, c/o Father Sameer Advani, L.C., her grandson, serving in Rome, Italy.

Hedwig Jhanjee, née Walter, aged 98, entered into eternal rest on February 8, 2024.  Sadly she had suffered a second stroke three months earlier, which left her unable to swallow or speak. Ultimately, she succumbed to a heart attack and acute respiratory failure at Riverview Hospital in Red Bank, New Jersey. Her son Pradeep Jhanjee was by her side and multiple family members had spoken to her by phone on the day and the days prior to her death.

Hedwig was born in Berlin, Germany on August 12, 1925. She was born into a close knit family that was held together by faith in God, love for one another, and a love of all things beautiful; the warmth and strength of this gift she carried with her throughout her long and blessed life. Affectionately known as “Hedi”,”Mummy”, “Momsie,” and “Omi” by those nearest to her heart, Hedwig epitomized a matriarch of grace, kindness, courage of faith, gratefulness and gentle humor. Her Catholic faith was her constant source of strength.

Hedwig is predeceased by her parents, Dr. Otto Paul Walter and Frau Wally Frohlich Walter of Berlin, Germany and by eight of her twelve siblings. Hedwig is predeceased by her son Deepak, her daughter Seema’s twin brother, who died three months after birth. She is also predeceased by her beloved husband, Dr. Shyam Kanwar Jhanjee, who met her prior to the start of WWII in Germany while studying medicine there. A combination of chemistry, intellect, and emotion ignited the spark that came to be a beautiful marriage and family life in India. His passing in 1986 was difficult for Omi, who shared that she grieved deeply for three long years, eventually finding peace and the resolve to continue to give her all to her growing family.

Left to cherish her memory are four of her twelve siblings and six children, together with their loved ones, as well as fourteen grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, all of whom will carry forward her legacy of love and virtue. We acknowledge each of her surviving loved ones as follows:

Namely, siblings Maria Walter of Berlin, Germany, Dorothea Dobrusskin of Taufkirchen, Germany, Dr. Michael Walter of Reidbohringen, Germany, and Father Otto Walter of Koln, Germany; and

namely, eldest son Rajan and his wife Mangala Jhanjee of Brentwood, England, and their two sons and their families: Nakul and Laetitia Jhanjee  and their children Samuel, Charlie, and Sophia of Ecuras, France, and Gautum and Megan Jhanjee of Canbera Austrailia; and

namely, eldest daughter Seema and husband Vikram Advani of Mississauga, Canada and their three sons, Father Sameer Advani of Rome, Italy, Ameet and Leah Advani of Portland, Oregon, and Naveen and Alexine Advani and their son Eli of Dubai UAE; and

namely, middle daughter Angela and husband Brian Fernandez of Franklin, Tennessee, and their three children, son Andrew and wife Joyce Fernandez, and their children Jonathan, Mathew, and Victoria of Saratoga, California, and their son Dr. Mark and his wife Sarah Fernandez, and their children Hannah, David, Elizabeth (Gracie), and Benjamin of Norfolk, Virginia, and daughter Dr. Michelle Fernandez and husband Gayashan Ediriweera and their son Luke of Franklin, Tennessee; and

namely, middle son, Peter and wife Amrita Jhanjee of Vienna, Virginia, and their two sons, Curran and wife Sara Jhanjee and their son Ulan of Portland, Oregon, and Kunal Jhanjee of Vienna, Virginia; and

namely, youngest son, Pradeep and wife Janine Jhanjee and their children, Gregory and Caroline of Holmdel, New Jersey; and

namely, youngest daughter, Malti and husband David D’Gama and their children, daughter Dr. Alissa D’Gama and husband Adrian of Boston, Massachusetts, and their son Dr. Jonathan D’Gama also of Boston, Massachusetts.

Central to Hedwig’s life were God and family. Her most formative years were spent in Templehoff, Berlin, where the family lived in a large house on a park-like property. With thirteen children, the house and its grounds were a self-contained world of joy, peace, and security. Her father was a disciplinarian who maintained a tight ship. Much was expected from the children, which seemed at times severe, however he had a large heart filled with good intentions. The children lined up in age order before him each week to review their school record, fitness schedule, achievements, and disciplinary issues for his strict assessment. Additionally, each child was assigned a younger child to mentor and was held accountable for as well. In contrast, Hedwig’s mother was more lenient and supportive and was a constant source of security and strength for Hedwig and her siblings. Frau Wally was highly intelligent, adept at and enjoyed social events, lover of beauty and the arts, culturally inclined, open-minded, and most importantly very kind and gentle. It was a God fearing house and religion was real, not a cultural artifact. This environment made for a very cohesive and close knit family wherein God, love for one another, and beauty blended in with hard work, duty, and honor. This is what Hedwig would take away with her and eventually bring to her own family.

Like six of Hedwig’s siblings, she too was expected to follow in her father’s footsteps and become a doctor. However, the war was raging in Germany and Hedwig had to put her medical studies aside and shift into working as a nurse for the Red Cross. This brought her closer to her future husband, who was studying medicine in Germany. Soon the trajectory of her life would change. We like to think it was her destiny, or divine providence, that she would come to know and love her husband and that shortly after the war they would come together and marry and have a family.

Hedwig and her husband had an everlasting love. They were both religious and philosophical by nature and truly enjoyed each other. They created and maintained a safe, happy and peaceful home wherein their six children always felt secure, respected and cherished. Self-reliance, discipline and hard work were expected however explicit faith in God and His hand in our daily lives was always acknowledged and His solace and grace always sought. Despite limited resources we never felt we lacked for anything and had the most enjoyable and memorable vacations. Education was highly valued and is reflected in the achievements of her progeny. But the goal always was to do one’s best and to discover what one was best at, not necessarily the glamor of any given career. Hedwig was truly a Mother, her family defined her and fulfilled her and her children are forever grateful to her

Hedwig was deeply interested in nutrition and good eating habits and their impact on health. Throughout her life she remained current with nutritional developments and shared with her family her knowledge on the benefits and nutritional value of all things edible. This interest has been embraced by many of her children.

Hedwig had very distinct cultural and endearing interests. She loved architecture and interior decoration.  Eveready to give her opinion when asked, she loved to go to open houses to see and learn what others had done. Also, she was fond of traditional realistic art, light classical music, and popular opera. She found communion in nature. She loved the outdoors, walks by the water, and mountain views. Since a child, she loved caring for animals, big and small, from horses to injured birds to the popular Easter bunnies. She embraced life and it brought her great contentment.

True to Hedwig’s upbringing, and like her mother, she was open-minded. Despite being a devout Catholic, she married outside of her religion and culture. Her husband was an East Indian who was a deeply religious Hindu. Shyam was tolerant of all religions, telling his children that what is most important is that you are a good person. This made it easier for Hedwig to accept, although she professed her faith to be her own preference.  Her children and grandchildren would go on to marry across different cultures and religions and this too was met with her understanding and wise discernment.

A life full of adventure and travel required making constant adjustment, which is one of the most impressive hallmarks of Hedwig’s life. Traveling by steamship with her betrothed and five year old son, from war-torn Germany, she was excited for the new life ahead in her husband’s homeland in northern India; however Hedwig was not fully aware of the sacrifices and the adjustments she’d have to make. She grew up in a sophisticated advanced society with modern facilities and arrived in a village in India with very primitive amenities surrounded by a culture and religion alien to her. These adjustments continued over the forty plus years of living in India; first in remote villages and later in big cities. With the help of a most loving and adoring husband, her faith in God, the joys of her family and understanding people as persons she was able to not only cope but to thrive.

In 1986, with the death of Shyam, Hedwig once again made a shift to become part of her eldest daughter, Seema and her husband Vikram’s household in Dubai and then Canada, wherein she became akin to a second mother to their three children. With them, she traveled extensively between homes in Dubai, Canada, and Europe, and the homes of her other children across the globe, especially in the U.S. Hedwig earned her flying wings and became an official citizen of three countries, Germany, India and the United States. In the final nine years of Hedwig’s life she lived with her youngest son, Pradeep and his wife Janine in Holmdel, New Jersey. Janine also had her parent’s living with them, after her father became terminally ill, so their children had five parental figures to report to! The grandparents enjoyed one another’s company, were an intimate part of the family and were included in all our family vacations for as long as possible.

Hedwig never complained, never spoke ill of anyone, was always grateful and always encouraged love and understanding. She’d often say, “Do your best and leave the rest to God,” which she did throughout her life. She showed us how to live with courage, kindness, love and grace and we are all forever grateful.

“We hold you ever so close within our hearts

and there you shall remain.

To walk with us throughout our lives

until we meet again.”  *

  * Until We Meet Again by chisholmc2013

The rites of Christian funeral will be observed on the second of March, with visitation at Holmdel Funeral Home (8:30 to 10:30am), 26 S. Holmdel Road, Holmdel. The solemnity of the Mass will be celebrated at the Church of St. Catharine’s in Holmdel at 11am, followed by internment at Holmdel Cemetery, 900 Holmdel Road, where she will be laid to final rest.

The Jhanjee family extends their deepest gratitude for the outpouring of sympathy during this period of mourning. May the soul of Hedwig, an exemplar of quiet strength and dignity, find perpetual peace in the loving embrace of the Lord.