Carla M. Lele

Carla Johanna Maria Lele (née Tophoff), resident of Nashua, N.H., formerly of Winchester, Mass., La Jolla, Calif., and Bedford, Mass., passed away in her sleep on March 15, 2026 in Nashua, N.H. She was 95 years old. Carla was born in
Bremen, Germany on September 11, 1930, and graduated from Freiburg University in Freiburg, Germany in 1952.

She met the love of her life, Padmakar P. Lele in 1955 while they were both working at local hospitals in London, England. They immigrated together to Bethesda, Md., in 1958, wed in 1959, and eventually settled in Winchester, Mass., in 1963.

Carla came to America with experience working as a Physical Therapist in Germany, Holland, and England, and continued to offer her capable care to patients in Bethesda, Md., and at MGH in Boston, Mass.

She then worked at Northeastern University in Boston for many years where she enjoyed helping the students with their educational aspirations. She also contributed to her local community by serving as the President of the Winchester PTA in Winchester, Mass., supported the METCO program, and was also a Fair Housing volunteer. While living in La Jolla, Calif., she taught English to immigrant students.

An avid reader, talented bridge player, and enthusiastic gardener who was once the President of the Winchester Estates Garden Club, Carla also had a life-long passion for travel and exploration. With their four month old son Martin, Carla and her husband traveled around the World for six months. She enjoyed researching countries to explore, planning every detail, so we all had a wonderful time. Always adventurous, she embraced cultures around the world, and was still snorkeling in Belize, hiking in Vietnam, and biking in Belgium while in her mid to late 80’s.

Carla was a constantly cheerful friend to so many, and always had others needs foremost in her thoughts and actions. She will be sadly missed by her sons, Martin P. Lele of Westford, Mass., and Malcolm Lele with significant other
Jennifer Wu of North Billerica, Mass., her siblings, Barbara Cavadino of the Netherlands, and Michael Tophoff PhD of the Netherlands. She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, Padmakar P. Lele MD PhD, and her sister Hildegard Rasch of Germany.

Carla’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to the wonderful private caregivers who cared so much for her during her last year in
Bedford, Mass., and for three years in Nashua, N.H.

Following her wishes for cremation, her cremains were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean. A private service was held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Carla to The Home for Little Wanderers (www.TheHome.org).