The family of a loving Kanata grandmother is seeking comfort through prayer after her tragic death Wednesday evening just minutes from their house in South March.
“What can we say?” said a grief-stricken relative at the couple’s oldest son’s home Thursday.
“It doesn’t make sense to say anything.”
Imtiaz Chowdhry, 63, was killed instantly when her car was T-boned by a dump truck.
She was in the passenger seat of a dark green four-door Honda Accord when her husband, Muhammad Akram Chowdhry, 68, was turning left from March Rd. on to Morgan’s Grant Way just before 5 p.m Wednesday.
He survived and was in hospital in critical condition Thursday. The couple’s two sons and daughter-in-law were by his side.
Cousin Shahida Chaudhary described Imtiaz as a hard-working housewife who cared deeply about her three kids and loved her grandchildren. The couple immigrated to Canada more than 20 years ago from Pakistan. Akram found work in the accounting field while Imtiaz raised their children.
“We are just so shaken, I can’t comment right now,” a woman who answered the phone said.
Neighbours and friends were also mourning Thursday.
“I’m like her daughter and she’s like my mother. She did remarkable things,” said a family friend, who didn’t want to be identified.
Those who knew them say the couple moved in with their younger son less than a year ago.
“I knew there was an accident close by but I didn’t know it was them,” said another neighbour.
“I’m so shocked,” said next door neighbour Sheida, her eyes filling with tears.
Two pots of freshly cooked food rest outside the Chowdhry’s front door, an offering to God for Imtiaz’s soul to rest in peace. The food will be shared with family and friends who stop by to offer their support.
Imtiaz was picking up her husband, who takes the bus to work downtown when the accident occurred, a friend said.
The dump truck driver was uninjured.
The truck is registered to Malwood Aggregates, a quarries company based on Dunrobin Rd., and was heading toward the main office at the time of the collision.
Police wouldn’t comment on charges against the truck driver Thursday, saying the investigation is ongoing.
The funeral will take place 1 p.m. Friday at Jami-Omar Mosque in Bells Corners.
kelly.roche@sunmedia.ca
http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2010/12/22/16652566.html
Kelly Roche - Storyteller 