Asiya Kazmi

Asiya Kazmi, 83, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 30, 2015, at her home surrounded by all of her loved ones.
She leaves in mourning her husband of 54 years, Muhammad Zubair Siddiqui, and her two sons - Uzair and Dr. Obaid Siddiqui. She is also survived by her numerous nephews and nieces, her life-long friends, and her extended family. Her obituary would be left incomplete without the mention of a few people who meant the world to her: Fariha, her closest companion who was truly more of a daughter than a daughter-in-law to her; Ijlal Babar, who became more of a son than a physician to her; Zubair Ali, her nephew, along with his wife and children whom she loved immensely; Amjad Kazmi, her nephew and confidante, along with his family; Nasreen Kazmi, her niece, who was like a daughter to her; Arfa Zehra, her lifelong friend and soul mate; and Tina Laufhutte, her care-taker who became the sunshine of her life and took very good care of her. The greatest joy of her life, however, was her 3 grandchildren: Alizeh, who came back home to stay with her and take care of her during the last few months of her life; Ali, her favorite and the apple of her eye, who lovingly took care of her; and Humza, who never failed to put a smile on her face with his crazy antics.
The family would like to express their utmost gratitude to all of the staff of Camellia Home Health & Hospice for their compassionate care of Mrs. Kazmi. They would also like to thank Riemann Family Funeral Homes for allowing the family to incorporate their Islamic burial traditions throughout the entire funeral process. The family remains truly indebted to everyone involved in the care and concern of their beloved.
Asiya was born in a time of turmoil and chaos in pre-partition India in 1932: a time when girls were raised to live within the confines of their homes and receive only an elementary education. Despite such obstacles, she found within herself the grit and the determination to excel both in academics and athletics, winning numerous accolades in both. She followed her passion of learning to earn a Masters in History and Education, and later became a devout teacher. She taught both at the secondary school level, as well as upper-level education. She spent her life in various places across the world, from pre-partitioned India, to Pakistan, Iran, and the United States of America. She lived a life following her passions and her beliefs. Asiya's life is best summarized by the poem ""Invictus,"" written by William Earnest Henley.
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find me, unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 13872 Lemoyne Blvd. at the corner of Washington Ave. served the family. An online guestbook may be viewed and memories shared at www.riemannfamily.com