Saroja Balasekaran

Dr. Saroja Balasekaran passed away on November 12, 2020 in Odessa, Texas.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday, November 22, 2020 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home with Pujari Vignesh Mahadevarahalli officiating.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Perumal Balasekaran; two sons, Venkatesh and Ranga; her grandchildren, Nithya, Vijay, Neil, and Vikram; and daughters-in-law, Bhuvana and Mitun.

Saroja was born in Salem, India on Feb 19, 1942. She lost her father at age 6 and was raised by her mother who was a pillar of strength and support in her life. Despite her humble beginnings, and many obstacles during that era, she achieved exemplary academic honors and became an esteemed physician of her community. She graduated from Stanley Medical School with gold medal honors and practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology for 10 years in Salem, India.

Saroja yearned for more knowledge and a better opportunity for her children so she came to America in 1977 and became a Harvard trained Anesthesiologist. She worked in Boston and Florida for several years and then moved to Dallas to be the Director of OB Anesthesia at St. Paul Hospital for 13 years. She worked tirelessly for 30 years to provide for her immediate and extended family. She was a powerful force for comfort and healing for the thousands of patients she treated during her career.  She is remembered fondly by colleagues and patients alike.

Saroja was a loving, generous mother and grandmother who taught her children and grandchildren the lessons of right from wrong, love and fear of God, the value of education, and the gratification in hard work and kindness to others. Her grandchildren were the light of her life and will miss her devotion.  Her charitable trust built numerous school classrooms and provided for the needy in South India.  Saroja was an avid reader, brilliant scholar and physician, devout in her faith, an inspiration to many and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

The family thanks the Midland/Odessa medical community for their care during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity.