"I have been one of Gita's patients for several years....Just learned of her passing via this obituary...Needless to say, I am devastated. When I tried to get an appointment with her for new contacts, I was told she no longer worked at Cosco...thus, my husband suggested I try to find her online...When I did, I found this obituary....I am so deeply saddened. Gita was such an amazing doctor...so thorough and knowledgeable...such gentleness, a truly beautiful woman in every way. I had difficulty being fitted for contacts, but she was able to help me...this was due to her incredible patience and knowledge. She often spoke of her family with a smile on her face....I am so sorry for your loss. I know she must be deeply missed....I will remember her always. Fondly, Carol Nelson. 954-562-7230"
In loving memory of
Hema Gita Dangodara
November 8, 1971 - July 7, 2019
Gita was born in Nairobi, Kenya, to Dr. Sukhinder and Vidyotma Joshi, their first-born child. At the age of two, her family moved to White Plains, NY, where she spent her early childhood. From there, her family moved to Sanford, FL, in 1977, where her father established a medical practice, which continues to this day. Gita, the eldest, was then followed by Rajan, Sunir, and Kavita. Gita earned a Bachelor's degree from Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, and then earned a Doctorate of Optometry from Nova Southeastern University in Davie, FL. While in Optometry school, she met Parthiv Dangodara, whom she married in 1997. They have two beautiful children, Karishma (19) and Amar (16), and a golden retriever named Monty. Gita and her family have been residing in the South Florida area where Gita has been successfully practicing as an optometrist.
Gita's motto for life has always been carpe diem. She lived each day to the fullest, with happiness and intention, showering those around her with unconditional love and kindness. Her smile had a way of warming your heart, and her constant jokes and silliness always put you in a jovial mood. There was nothing she loved more than to have her friends and family laughing alongside of her. She was kind, generous, and gentle, and always the life of the party - she never wanted the party to end.
Gita was a runner, a tennis player, a swimmer, and a budding pianist and skier. She was an avid practitioner of yoga and loved to read about health and spirituality. She loved traveling with her family and friends, which became a source of inspiration for her to study archeology, history, and different cultures. Of all her travels, she loved visiting Tuscany and Santorini the most.
She was a shining light in the lives of all who knew her or had an opportunity to spend time with her. She saw the best in everyone and made each one of us the best version of ourselves. She perfectly played the role of daughter, wife, mother, aunt, sister, and friend. She made everyone feel like they were the most important person in her life, her best friend, and confidant. Those who knew her will remember and celebrate her positive, lasting impact she had on this world. We will remember and hold onto her smile and the sound of her laughter. Her light will continue to shine bright in Parthiv, Karishma, Amar, her parents, siblings, extended family and friends.
God, please give us all the strength for the journey we are about to embark.
Give us positive energy to help our mind, body, and souls to heal.
Give us patience and understanding to cope and process these new changes.
Provide us with the utmost care with the best doctors, caretakers and decision makers.
May our collective love and energy continue to unite us and help battle this illness together.
- Written by Gita
In lieu of flowers the family is asking donations be made to the following organization:
https://bethematch.org/support-the-cause/donate-financially/
Tributes
"I just called to make an appointment with the sweetest most wonderful and caring eye doctor I have ever met. My condolences to her beautiful family. She was so kind to my husband who had many health issues. He recently passed away and also thought she was the best. We were blessed to know her and her marvelous manner as a person and a doctor. Sending my prayers for all. Barbara McGuinness ( met her beautiful daughter at USchool where I am a teacher)"
"To the family of Dr. Gita Dandgodara, I went to make an eye exam appointment today and found out a beautiful, intelligent, kind doctor had passed away. I am shocked. I am so sad. I am struggling in my own grief as my own mother passed away in June. I had no idea Dr. Gita Dandgodara was ill let alone had died. I am in my own grief so I know something about what the family is going through but the family's situation is far worse than mine as Dr. Gita Dandgodara was young with young family and husband. I am sad to hear of this news and sad for all of her family. Dr. Gita Dandgodara was wonderful. She was my favorite doctor. She was made to be a doctor. I am so grateful I was a patient of hers many times. She was a great listener and encourager. She knew my mother's battles with cancer--though not her recent ones. I am so grateful to have met Dr. Gita Dandgodara. She is a great role model for all women. I always sensed her calmness when I was in her presence. She is a great and special soul who will be missed forever. She accomplished a phenomenal amount of living in her short life. We could all learn from her example. Blessings and comfort to all her family members. "
"My deepest sympathies to Dr. D's (as we called her) family. My family has been a patient for about 15 years. Gita was the warmest, friendliest and the most gifted doctor. She not only worked with me as my cataracts worsened monthly but I went to her with a light problem in my eye and after a few minutes she got on the phone with Retina Eye Institute. She knew something was wrong, I had tears in my retina and was operated on within hours. I will always be grateful for her knowledge and quick decision. Always a warm smile and a great sense of humor, we will miss you. Stew, Betty and Sharon Bernstein"
"My sincerest condolences to Dr. Dandgodara?s family and friends. She was a gifted professional and will be missed by many. "
"I just learned this unbelievable news today... I was a patient of Dr Gita for years now... No other Doctor diagnosed my multiple vision issues correctly. The first time I put on the glasses using Dr Gita's prescription, I actually cried! I saw perfectly for the first time in my adult life! Being examined by her you could actually feel you were in the presence of greatness, a greatness both inside and out. I, too, will miss her dearly."
"What a wonderful doctor and a warm loving person. she will be truly missed. Wishing her family peace and only good memories"
"I have been a patient of Dr. Dandgodara for many years and always looked forward to my visits. She had a wonderful personality and always made you feel at ease, we always shared a good laugh! At the end of my last appointment, we shared a hug, and told each other to take care until we saw each other again. I feel so blessed that I had that moment with her. She truly was such a special lady. My deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Lisa Douglas"
"To Dr. Gita' s family, Dr. Gita took care of my dad, husband, son, grandchildren, and me for I don't know how many years but I know she was expecting and she was so proud of her children. We were so blessed to have her take care of us all those years. She was such a beautiful person, inside and out. Our deepest sympathies. Chip, Marlyn, Mike, Danielle. My dad is probably laughing at one of her stories now. "
"So very deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Gita. My husband and I frequently spoke of her. She once gave my husband a thank you gift, which made him feel special and which he did not expect at all. We see now that that was her nature. So young, so brilliant and so beautiful. Very sad. Perhaps God needed her beautiful smile more. Our prayers are with her children, husband, parents and relatives. Anganie and Alan Katzman"
"To Dr. Gita's family, We are patients of Dr. Gita for over 20 years. We are numb, deeply saddened. and heart broken when we heard the news today. Dr. Gita was truly special; kind, gentle, genuine, and such a lovely person. Her love for her family and children were unmeasurable. Her smile, so contagious and warm. We loved her. Our thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. Tony and Ginny Diaz"
"Gita was a kind caring person. Although I only knew her in a Dr./ Patient relationship she always made me feel that I was more than that. I truly loved her and was so sorry to hear the news today when I went to Costco. I am saddened for her family. She loved and adored them so much. May they all find a way to survive this tagedy in a very short time."
"Please know this is from my heart. I had the honor and privilege of having Gita in my life from the time we were kids to our ever day dreaming teens, and growing as two people who were not related were as close as 2 sisters could become. Gita was the sister I never had but always wanted. When we were in our teenage years, Gita always wanted to move down south and envisioned her life the way she wanted, a husband whom she loved, her children who were her life and a successful career. Our fondest Conversations ran so deep also with wonderment of what the future would hold and all the places we wanted to travel, while listening to classical music, whether in her first Volvo or on the floor in her room.She had achieved her dreams to travel, her success in her career and created a family of her own that I can only imagine how much she loved and cherished. Gita was always a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day. She was so sincere and loving. She accomplished whatever she envisioned. Gita, you checked off all the boxes to live your life to the fullest and for that we should all take a lesson from you. You may have left us physically, but your footprints of love will always remain. Gita, Thank you for giving me the vision to dream, a prayer to hope and a footprint to remind me of your love as a friend and the sister I never had. I?m still cheering you on my sister. I know you are watching everyone from above and creating the magic that you made down here, up above. God, you are lucky to have Gita, please take care of her and please comfort her family and give them the strength and courage to endure this difficult time. To Aunty, Uncle, Rajan, Sunir, Kavita and your families, I know you all have a great support system and people that love and cherish you. Please know if you need anything at all, I?m here. My prayers and heart are with you during this difficult time. She was the definition of unconditional love and Carpe Diem. I?m so so so sorry for everyone?s loss. However, we must remind ourselves that the love she gave is still the love she is giving in more ways than one. May peace be with you during this difficult time of sadness, need, hugs(which she was always capable of!)and love. God bless everyone during this difficult time."
"My husband and I have been patients of Dr Dandgodara for many years and are deeply saddened by the news of her death. I am a pianist and a mother so my annual visits were spent sharing stories. She was a gifted doctor who radiated warmth and caring. She seemed so incredibly proud of her family and I send you all our most sincere condolences. Theresa and Ken Nadassy "
"Today I learned of the Doctors passing when I was trying to schedule an appointment. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family. I read her obituary and she was a happy and positive lady. I will miss her. Joe"
"I was shocked and saddened to hear this sad news. I have such fond memories of Gita during our time together in optometry school. She was truly a beautiful ray of light?always smiling and full of kindness to all. My deepest condolences to her family. Jaime Santeramo "
"This is very shocking and sad. Gita you left us too soon. Our heartfelt condolences to the whole family. May God give them all strength to go through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with family. Rest In Peace dear. Arvind Rammi Shaleen and Lina Soni "
"I had the honor of working with Gita for many years. Gita gave love and sunshine every day. Her laughter was great and service to people impeccable."
"I started doing fill-in work for Gita 14 years ago. I had actually never met her until about a year after I had started, when one day I was told I had a last minute patient waiting for me in the exam room, and when I went it to start the exam, I heard laughter erupting outside. And of course my patient started laughing also. It was Gita, playing a little joke on me. I still think of that day, and it always brings a smile to my face. During the past three years, I got to work along side Gita on Saturdays, and I got to know her even better. Her patients loved her and were always loyal telling how much they liked going to see her. I always enjoyed talking with her about work and family. I will truly miss those Saturdays. May God give the family strength. May you rest in peace. You will be missed. Michael Newman"
"She was my doctor for many years. She was kind, respectful & very knowledgable. I will miss her. May her memory always be for a blessing. "
"We saw Gita blossom from her fun filled childhood into a beautiful and kind young lady. We are numbed by her loss, and will miss her forever. We pray for her departed soul. .. Udita and Ravi Jahagirdar "
"Gita, May your beautiful soul Rest In Peace. Your internal beauty and light radiated out and touched the lives of all those lucky enough to know you. That light is still reflected in your family and all the lives you touched. Your memory will always shine and live on. Thank you for your guidance, your generosity, your kindness and your friendship. It hurts that I won?t be able to meet you for lunch or catch up on Costco and life, or that I can?t see your beautiful smile or hear your voice, but I know that love is stronger than sorrow. You helped shape me into the person I am today and I?ll hold you in my heart forever. Love forever, Alyssa "
" Our deepest condolences on your loss.. keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. May god give u strength at this very difficult time."
"Dr D. Was just a warm, friendly wonderful person. She was a great caring doctor , always taking an interest in your eyes and you as a person. Taken too young. She will be missed. May her memory be a blessing."
"Gita, the sweetest, beautiful person taken too soon. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing you, working with you or being your patient will miss you immensely. Thank you for touching our lives. "
"Gita, it was an honour working with you. Your kind soul and smile brought warmth to all who new you. Always in our hearts. Jeff & Dianne Messer"
"I'm in shock as I write this. Dr. Dangodara helped to save my eyesight twice by referring me to retina specialists. She was a kind, compassionate person who took the time to explain things in detail to a lay person like myself. My thoughts and prayers go out to her family and all her associates. She will truly be missed by all. May God bless. Dale Gates"
"I had the honor to watch Gita with the many people she came in contact with. She was kind and compassionate. Such a beautiful person to be around. She will be greatly missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends."