Illaben Mehta

Illa Mehta, beloved wife, sister, and aunt, passed away peacefully on September 17, 2025, at the age of 78.

Born on May 15, 1947, in Jinja, Uganda, Illa was the daughter of the late Manibhai and Samjuben Patel. The second youngest of nine children, she grew up in a large and loving household alongside her three brothers and five sisters. Her childhood in Jinja was marked by resilience, as she overcame a variety of illnesses with strength and determination.

In her young adulthood, Illa moved to Leicester, England, where she remained close with her family before marrying Vibhaker Mehta in 1985. Two years later, she joined him in the United States, where he worked for many decades as a mechanic with United Airlines. Together, they built their life primarily in the suburbs of Chicago, while also spending several years in San Francisco from 1988 to 1990.

Family was always at the heart of Illa’s life. Though separated by distance, she kept strong connections with her loved ones in England through phone calls, visits, and later FaceTime. She shared a particularly close bond with her younger sister, Nalini Amin, whom she lived near in Illinois. As an aunt, she was deeply cherished, treating her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children.

Illa had a gift for making friends wherever she went. She found joy in cooking, keeping a warm and welcoming home, and sharing her care with others. Despite many health challenges over the years, she carried herself with quiet strength and grace, showing remarkable courage during the final months of her life as her health declined.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 40 years, Vibhaker Mehta, and her younger sister, Nalini Amin. She will be remembered with love by her extended family, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends whose lives she touched.

Illa’s life was a testament to resilience, generosity, and the enduring power of family. Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.