Ferdousi (Rina) Jamir Gramling
December 20, 1969 – April 4, 2012Ferdousi (Rina) Jamir Gramling, 42, died on April 4, 2012 less than 10 months after being diagnosed with cancer. As with everything in her life, Rina applied all her courage and strength to fight this battle against cancer. She passed away at Beaumont Hospital in Troy, Michigan, surrounded by her mother, father, sister, and devoted loved ones.
Rina was born on December 20, 1969 in Sylhet, Bangladesh, the daughter of Dr. Jamir Uddin and Mrs. Noorjahan Jamir. She grew up in Bangladesh until 1979 when she came to Platteville, Wisconsin at the age of 10. Rina graduated from Platteville High School and later from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a B.S. in Chemistry. She worked for several years in software engineering at AVISTA in Platteville. Prior to her cancer diagnosis, she had been working for many years as a Software Project Manager for Duncan Solutions in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she traveled around the country to lead project implementations for customers.
She was married in Bermuda in 1995 and the pride and joy of her entire life was her son, David Rafique Gramling. Everyone who has met Rina knows about her love for David as she talked about him with such admiration & joy. Rina paved her own road in life and took many adventures along the way. In a 1984 trip to Bangladesh with her family, she generously helped to distribute food (by boat) to the poor and displaced after a historic and devastating flood. From this effort, she contracted a life-threatening typhoid fever and spent a month in the hospital in London. Her many other journeys included running marathons around the world including China, Jamaica & around the United States. Rina also spent 6 months volunteering to help with research in the Galapagos Islands & Quito, Ecuador and the following year took her son David to the World Cup in Germany. She loved all things nature - hiking, camping, rock climbing, biking and running. She loved these things most when David was with her. Rina was a role model for her son, sisters, nephews, nieces, friends’ children and many younger cousins in the U.S. and around the world. She was generous, kind, fearless, always saw the good in everyone she met and never judged anyone.
Rina is survived by her beloved son, David Rafique Gramling, her parents Dr. Jamir Uddin & Mrs. Noorjahan Jamir, sisters Selina Martin & Nadia Jamir Khan, nephews Russell & Elliott Martin and many aunts, uncles, cousins and beloved friends around the world. She is also survived by her maternal grandfather, Yakub Ali, living in Bangladesh.
In the Muslim tradition, prayer and funeral services were held within 24 hours of her death. It was a beautiful and sunny day and local family & friends gathered to pray for Rina and bid farewell to one of the most beautiful souls that we will ever know. Rina is laid to rest at White Chapel Memorial Cemetery in Troy, Michigan.
This summer we will have a Remembrance for Rina to celebrate her beautiful life. It will be held in Michigan or Wisconsin on the same weekend as a Cancer Walk/Run. Details of the event will be posted on Rina’s Blog at http://ferdousis.blogspot.com/.
The obituary above will be published in our old hometown newspaper, The Platteville Journal, during the week of April 16. It is the hardest thing I've ever had to write in my life. I know that it does not do justice to the incredible life that was lived by my beautiful sister.
ReplyDelete- Selina
Aoa saki my sister this is javed I'm extremely sorry to hear about reena death I was shocked and couldn't believe got rest her soul in peace and grant her highest place in heaven say my salam to jameer bhai and bhabi I really hope they are fine my father died of cancer two years back I know exactly how it feels like to see your loved one leave ..javed Ikram from islamabad pakistan graduated from uwp in 1989
DeleteIt is perfect, Saki. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSo beautifully written. You did an excellent job recapping an adventurous and well-rounded life.
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Saki. I wish I had known Rina more after our childhood/school years -- but even with the little interaction we had as adults, I've always thought of her as one of the strongest, smartest women I've ever known. I'm sure you captured her as well as anyone could in such a limited forum. -- Serena
ReplyDeleteMom just told me about Rina's death. I admired her a lot and treasured every time I got to have the two of you as babysitters and then two women I had to look up to.
ReplyDeleteLove, Krista Berggren
Well done Selina. A wonderful tribute to an extraordinary person. Bless you!
ReplyDeleteSue
I can't imagine how difficult that was to write, Saki. You did a beautiful job describing a beautiful life fully lived. I will always remember Rina's beauty inside and out.
ReplyDeleteLove, Amy Parker (Rosenbrook)
Saki, I just heard of Rina's journey because of the obituary in the Platteville Journal. Thank you for your thoughtfulness in posting it there and for sharing her journey thru this blog. I was in AFS with you and Rina during high school. I can tell that sweet, sweet Rina never changed!
ReplyDeleteDarcy (Floerke) McCallson
Yes, a beautiful obituary. So many of us are missing her terribly. Your words help us remember the Rina we all know and loved.
ReplyDeleteWarm regards,
Kim E.
Well done, Saki'pa. You've captured her life beautifully, her love for David, her great heart that always found ways to help others, her love for nature, adventure and travel around the world. Thank you. Love the new picture. She looks so beautiful. That's exactly how i will remember her ... bright and beautiful. Who was forgiving, whose smile could lift up anyone's spirit.
ReplyDelete-Sultana
It was an honor to have known Ferdousi. She is -- and will not -- be forgotten. Thank you for so beautifully capturing the essence of your sister.
ReplyDeleteI miss you Ferdousi. c/nc
ReplyDeleteMiss you Rina. Think about you every day. Love you.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI worked with Ferdosi at Duncan Solutions but worked in a different office. I only met her once and talked to her a few other times. She was very kind. A co-worker told me about her passing today and found this site. Very well done for a very kind person. I hope Ferdosi has found peace and that her family and son are doing well.
- Steve
My deepest condolences. Rina was such a special person. I am so sad to find this. I was looking to find her on facebook. All my love and sympathy. Jamie Mominee Bradley
ReplyDelete