Sushma Julka, affectionately known as Shummi among her family and friends, passed away on August 21, 2024, at age 91.

Sushma was born in India on May 19, 1933, the daughter of the late Dr. Des Raj Bowry and Mrs. Kulwanti Bowry.

Even during a time when girls were not encouraged to pursue studies, Shummi fought the system and was proud to have received a BA from Punjab University in India. She lived all over the world - from India to Hong Kong to Delhi to Boston to San Diego and in her final resting place in Hopewell Junction, NY.

She traveled extensively throughout Asia, Europe, US, Hawaii, and Brazil and was passionate about collecting curios and art objects from those places. Besides her love of travel, she enjoyed cooking, sewing and knitting, and had a house filled with her own handicrafts along with those purchased from her travels. And while she was not trained as an architect, she single-handedly supervised the design and construction of her large 3-story house in New Delhi.

Shummi was the heart and soul of her immediate and extended family and was lovingly devoted to their lives and making each of them better every day. To know her, was to love her – she immediately embraced you as her daughter, her son, her sister or her brother without reservation – even her granddaughter's friends knew her as Dadi-ma.

A loving wife to her husband of 64 years, Bharat, and a doting mother to her children Vivek, Gisel, and Vibhor. She left behind a legacy of love, affection, and kindness embodied in her grandchildren, Sonali, Nina, Priya, and Liam. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Dr. Suraj Bowry and her youngest brother, Sudhir Bowry and his wife Bindu. She was predeceased by her brother Dr. Subhash Bowry.

Family and friends are invited to say a final goodbye to Shummi. A memorial service to honor her life and legacy will be held on August 27, 3:30PM- 6:00 PM at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82 Hopewell Junction, NY. The Hindu service will start at 4:30 PM.