India Suzanne Bjaelker was born on Dec. 1, 1975, in Queens, the second child of Stanford and Jeanette Williams Griffith.
She resided and attended elementary and middle school in Queens before the family moved to Baldwin in 1989.
A lover of dance from an early age, India studied at the Gloria Jackson School of Dance for several years and advanced to membership in the dance company’s touring ensemble.During her high school years she served as an assistant dance instructor at the school of dance.
Following graduation from Baldwin High School, India received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from SUNY Old Westbury in 1997. She continued on to complete a Master of Arts in Guidance Counseling from Long Island University’s Rockland Campus in 2012.
On Sept. 3, 2003 she married the love of her life, Kristopher Bjaelker and moved to the Monroe-Woodbury area. From their union the family was blessed with two beautiful children, Nadia Jeanette and Kristopher Colton
India has always been known as a warm, engaging and supportive spirit. Her involvement with family and work in her community has been a major part of her brand. In addition to being very involved in Nadia and Kris’ athletic activities, India worked as a Teacher Assistant for several years in the Monroe-Woodbury School District
Left to rejoice her life, India is survived by her devoted husband, Kristopher, her daughter Nadia and son Kristopher, her father Stanford Griffith and his wife Patricia Canson-Griffith, her brothers Jamal Griffith and Aurin Canson, her aunt Christine Jackson, her uncles Stanley Griffith and George Grier, her in–laws Carl and Shirley Bjaelker, a niece, nephews and cousins, a host of intimate friends from childhood and college and her dedicated Central Valley community.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, at Smith Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home, 117 Maple Avenue, Monroe, NY 10950.
A Funeral Service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at St. Patrick’s Church in Highland Mills.
Interment will follow at Cemetery of the Highlands in Highland Mills.
Donations on behalf of India S. Bjaelker can be made to the American Cancer Society, www.cancer.org. Follow the instructions to “DONATE”
Arrangements by Smith, Seaman & Quackenbush, Inc. Funeral Home (845-782-8185; www.ssqfuneralhome.com).