Dr. Rahma Marikar Mustapha

November 19, 2017

Dr. Rahma Marikar Mustapha of Kinderhook passed away at 7:15 a.m. on Sunday, November 19th, at the age of 71, after a brief illness. She spent her final days laughing and sharing memories, with her family by her bedside. Rahma Mustapha leaves behind her loving husband of 48 years, Dr. Tamton Mustapha, and her three devoted children: Monisha Mustapha, living in San Francisco, CA; Dr. Mumtaz (“Taj”) Mustapha, living in Minneapolis, MN with her husband, Dr. Chris Lundstrom; and Nigel Tamton, Esq., living in Boston, MA with his wife, Elizabeth Tamton. Rahma Mustapha also leaves behind two grandchildren: Leila Lundstrom and Zaviyar Lundstrom. In addition, Rahma Mustapha is survived by two brothers, four sisters, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. She was predeceased by her younger brother, Kabir Marikar. Dr. Mustapha was born in Perumbavoor, India, to Majeed Marikar (deceased) and Ummusalma Marikar (deceased). Dr. Mustapha graduated from the Calicutt Medical School, got married, and emigrated to the United States in 1969. She worked as an intern in the Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, NY. Then in 1972, she moved with her husband and young daughter to Kinderhook, NY, where she lived until her passing. She completed residencies and was board-certified in the specialties of Clinical and Anatomical Pathology, and Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. She started her practice in Columbia County in 1981. She developed the Rehabilitation Department in Columbia Memorial Hospital by bringing in full-time Occupational & Speech Therapists. She was passionate about medical ethics and served on the Ethics Committee of Columbia Memorial Hospital. She retired in 2011. Beyond her professional work, Rahma Mustapha cared deeply about the betterment of her community, the health and welfare of children, and social justice. She was a constant contributor to local and international charities, such as Save The Children, Southern Poverty Law Center, and At The Crossroads, which was co-founded by her daughter Taj. She was a charter member of the Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C. She served on the Board of the United Way of Columbia And Greene Counties and the Advisory Board for the Capital District Center For The Disabled. She was one of the first female members of Rotary, joining the Hudson Rotary Club in 1987. Along with her husband, she was integral in the founding of the Kinderhook Rotary Club, where she served as Secretary, as well as Treasurer. She will be greatly missed, most of all for her compassion and sense of humor. Calling hours will be held at Bates & Anderson funeral home in Hudson from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, November 25th. A private burial will follow. You are invited to make a donation in her memory, to the Southern Poverty Law Center (https://donate.splcenter.org/), or At The Crossroads (https://atthecrossroads.org/donate).