Woman swept away in flash floods remembered as 'servant of the poor'

Dr. Anupama Vaidya’s brown, leather-bound journal is a cherished possession, carefully preserved by her son-in-law, Jay Indurkar. He flips through the pages with reverence, saying, “Look how well she did! After her accident, she didn’t want anyone to see her writing, but I told her, ‘This is for your grandchildren.’”

The journal became a symbol of resilience and reflection after Vaidya suffered a stroke following a car accident. She began strengthening her grip by writing, and the journal eventually became a family heirloom. It was shared among loved ones during the wake held in Overland Park, where friends and relatives gathered to honor her memory.

Vaidya, who stood just 5 feet tall and used a cane, had a routine that was as consistent as it was comforting. Every morning at 7:30 a.m., she would embark on a 90-minute walk near 155th Street and Nall Avenue. Her son-in-law described how she always stayed on the pavement, confident that she would remain on the path.

On the day of her passing, heavy rain caused a creek near her usual route to overflow. The current breached its banks, overtook the walking path, and law enforcement believe it swept Vaidya into the water. Indurkar called the Overland Park Police Department when she didn’t return two hours later.

By the time he arrived at the creek, the water had already crested. He said, “I thought, ‘She wouldn’t have tried to cross that.’ If she had slipped and fallen, she wouldn’t have been able to get up.”

Indurkar and police found Vaidya unresponsive less than a mile from where she started her walk. Her daughter, Dr. Aditi Indurkar, was at a dental clinic in Kansas City when she received the news. Initially, she assumed something was wrong with her 14-year-old son, Aayush, who has severe special needs. When her husband arrived, he broke the devastating news.

“She was my sounding board,” Aditi said. “We talked about everything. I knew she would always be there for me.” She also reflected on how much her mother looked forward to visiting them every six months.

At her funeral, Vaidya’s journal entries were on display, revealing the depth of her thoughts and philosophies. One page titled “Things I Wish I Had Known” included a poignant reflection: “That family, flowers, and walks in the woods would bring me more happiness than cars, watches, and houses ever would.”

Her son-in-law shared that Vaidya had a deep love for philosophy. “She once said, ‘I want to be a bird in my afterlife. That’s a free spirit. I want to be one,’” he said.

Vaidya spent her entire career as a dentist in India, dedicating herself to helping the poor in rural areas alongside her husband, who was also a dentist. Her obituary highlighted her humble commitment to serving those in need.

Another journal entry, marked with a star, read: “Grab the opportunity when it comes because the opportunity seems much more precious when it has gone.”

In the wake of her passing, neighbors of Vaidya’s family set up a GoFundMe to support the family, offering financial assistance during this difficult time.

Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of community, resilience, and the quiet strength of those who live their lives with purpose and compassion.