KARACHI, Jan 27: Eminent educationist Deena Mistri died here on Thursday, a month short of her 87th birthday.She had been suffering from postural hypotension for the last few months and often had spells of dizziness, which once resulted in the breaking of her left arm. But the cause of her death was a brain infarction, which afflicted her on Tuesday. A few hours later she slipped into a coma and could not come out of it. She has left two sons, who are in the United States. Her funeral is scheduled for Saturday, when her sons are expected to be in Karachi.

Ms Mistri — Deeno Aunty to many — was in harness two days before she had to be hospitalised. She came to work at the Westminster School and College, where she was the chairperson and was that morning in more than her normal radiant self, according to Mrs Abdul Razzaq, the principal of the school and her deputy when Ms Mistri was the principal of BVS Parsi School, where she spent 60 years of her long and distinguished career in education. Ms Mistri was till her death also a consultant at The Accel School, Karachi.

She had a large number of students who were very fond of her. Their long list included Dr Feroz Ismail who was always at her beck and call. She developed warm and cordial relations with the parents of her students as well and never failed to inquire about them every time she met her pupils.

Her husband, Mr Pestonji, was a well-known architect, who was in his twilight years wheelchair-bound. They had been married for 57 years when he called it a day. He had stood by her when she fought a long and apparently successful battle against cancer.

On March 23, 2002 Ms Mistry was awarded the Pride of Performance for her services to the cause of her education. The citation generously mentioned all her qualities but failed to highlight her integrity and honesty, two qualities that she also tried to instil in her students. Not without success in almost all cases.—A.N.

Death condoledThe managing committee, principal, staff members and students of the Bai Virbaiji Soparivala Parsi High School have condoled the death of Ms Deena Mistri, a long-serving principal of the school who devoted 60 years of her life to the cause of education, adds PPI.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan also condoled the death of Ms Mistri.