Beloved wife of Shri. P.S. Santhanam and proud mother of 3 children, Smt. Nirmala Santhanam was a multi-talented, homemaker and a strong independent woman. She was a pillar of support for her family through joyous and eventful periods of stay in Japan, Hong Kong, Chennai, Mumbai, New York & California.
Nirmala was a skilled exponent of Classical Carnatic vocal music and the Bharatanatyam dance form, having given several well-received performances in Japan to an enthralled audience. She was fluent in Japanese and tutored many children in learning English. Her creative talents and pursuits ranged from Japanese doll-making, Ikebana, Japanese Oshie and Metal embossed art. She also authored several interesting articles that were published in well-read Tamil magazines such as Kumudam, Ananda Viketan & Mangayar Malar.
Nirmala was an active member of the Inner Wheel Club in Chennai, where she served as the designated photographer and authored articles published in the Club's signature newsletter, the Light House. With her friendly, engaging and outgoing personality, Nirmala had a broad circle of friends. Nirmala had a generous heart and was an ardent supporter of the Barbara Kelley Orphanage, located on the outskirts of Chennai, where the children were delighted by her frequent visits and unwavering encouragement.
Nirmala will be remembered as a fearless woman, who navigated the family through various challenges over the years. She waged a brave battle against PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy), a debilitating neurological disorder, before succumbing to it on July 13, 2016 at her son's home in Cupertino, California, after a period of almost 3 years. She was the daughter of Shri. R.T. Tatachari and Smt. Soundarvalli and is survived by her husband (P.S. Santhanam) , sister (Leela Soundar), three children, two daughters-in-law, a son-in-law and six grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 21 years old.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Nirmala Santhanam's name to http://www.psp.org/donate/ways-to-give.html