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URMILLA SUNDARAM Obituary

SUNDARAM--Urmilla, passed away at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York on January 3, 2012. She grew up in India where she completed her bachelor's and master's degrees in economics, and moved to the US in 1985, obtaining her PhD in Sociology from Brown University. She is survived by her husband Rangarajan ("Raghu") Sundaram, Professor of Finance at the Stern School of Business, New York University; sons Kartik Ganapathy and Pavan Ganapathy of Bangalore, India; daughter Aditi Sundaram, 10th-grade student at the United Nations International School in New York; and father KG Belliappa of Bangalore, India. Memorial services are planned for later this month.

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 4, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
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Senthi

January 4, 2023

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Chandini

January 3, 2023

Rest in peace dear Urmilla. Thinking of Aditi and Raghu. May God give them peace.

Janet Sheila Hutchison

January 30, 2013

We,you school friends of SFX Bangalore remember you with love forever.Rest In Peace dear friend.Our thought and prayers are with your family.

Kimberly Kenney

June 29, 2012

I will always remember Urmilla as a kind and loving person. I have thought of the Sundarams many times over the years since we've lost touch and have wonderful memories of spending time with them, most especially with Aditi, when she was very young.

I met the Sundarams when I was a student at NYU and was Aditi's part-time nanny. Urmilla was good friend to me and offered wise advise to a young college student at times when she needed it most.

Raghu, Aditi - you may not remember me, but I remember all three of you very fondly. I am so very sorry for your loss and am saddened by the news of Urmilla's passing. I happened to do a search for Urmilla on Facebook to try to reconnect and found Aditi and learned of Urmilla's passing. Aditi - Your mom was an amazing woman. My deepest condolences to you both and to Kartik and Pavan.

Aniruddho Sanyal

April 30, 2012

Dear Raghu

You may not remember me - we met in 1984 when Urmilla was a fellow student of ours at SUNY StonyBrook and we all stayed at the Chapin Apartment Complex/Stage 16 on campus. Since in notices from the admin office we were always addressed as 'Complex Residents," I remember you jokingly asking during a visit from Ithaca, whether there were any "Simple" residents amongst us.

I remember Urmilla as as a very sweet and friendly person who was always very compassionate and fair in her dealings with people. In all situations she seemed to find a way to make her point in a nice manner in good humor and always seemed to see the best in everyone. If anyone spoke ill of someone else, she would always say "I respect your opinion, but I will have my own" or words to that effect.

Yesterday, I was suddenly reminded of her and wondered what became of her and tried to find her on Facebook and LinkedIn. That is how I chanced upon this terrible news. It must be more than 25 years since I last saw her and I wish I had tried to re-establish contact with her sooner.

Please accept my heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Sincerely

Aniruddho Sanyal

Rajini Francis

January 20, 2012

FARE THEE WELL DEAR FRIEND
The new year began with its promises of Joy and Peace. We had all started celebrating that promise when an SMS that read” Urmilla has passed away” beeped on our Mobile Phones. Where, When and How didn't seem to matter…..Time just came to a screeching halt… a standstill for all of us that very moment.
The suddenness of it hit me like a bullet. Like many of you- I too did not have an inkling of her ill health or her impending doom. The lady was too considerate as always, and took care not to burden us with her personal grief. She chose to keep her pain and agony to herself – and in so doing has tacitly – so silently taught us lessons so loud and clear. One of them being “Sharing doesn't mean unloading your anguish on to someone else”. The other perhaps is for us to put our own conclusions on the “Calm and Poise” that she maintained during our get together. She knew all the way that it could be her last. Only she can explain how she did it with such grace and ease. Even in the midst of her failing health and physical weakness, she emerged so strong.
When we parted after the reunion- not one of us would have thought it wasn't just a Hiatus, but a final salute – a last and final goodbye to a childhood friend. GOD! don't we wish we had known – we would have held on to her and not let her go. Wouldn't we have pleaded to whatever the DIVINE… DESTINY or DISEASE for a new lease of life?
Yes we had lost a considerable number of years of togetherness, but that reunion erased the time factor in no time. You would concur when I say life and all its battles hadn't taken anything from us. When we met we were the same old friends, and could love each other with the very same intensity all over again. It still was terrific fun to be together, and time stood still till we said Good Bye.
That is why Urmilla's loss is so enormous and total. The memories of saying goodbye to her is going to hurt till the end of time- yours and mine. All I can say is “ So long Urmilla – and till we meet again – you are going to be missed in a way that only your dear friends and loved ones can discern”

Rajini Francis

ELSIE REGO NORONHA

January 19, 2012

Firstly, Urmilla's death had come to me a a terrible shock. Moreso because I had lost my younger sister last Sept. 18th due to cancer.
Urmilla died like a hero bcause when we, her classmates met last year after a gap of 45 years, it was she who was the life of the whole party. She was so brave and wanted to spare us the sorrow of knowing that she was so ill. She was just amazing. May her beautiful soul rest and peace and may God in His infinite mercy give her husband and child great fortitude to bear her parting.
Her classmate from the group of 1966, Elsie Rego Noronha.

January 17, 2012

I met Urmila at Brown...she was my graduate colleague and friend, and helped me through days when I would really get homesick. A wonderful, enormously generous person. My heartfelt condolences to her family.

Shobana
Brown 1997

Drama from the late 1960's. Urmilla is 2nd from left.

Chitra Varaprasad

January 16, 2012

St Francis College Graduating class, 1969. Urmilla is seated 2nd row, 5th from right

Chitra Varaprasad

January 16, 2012

Uma khanna

January 15, 2012

Dear Urmila
i know you will be reading this message from wherever you are.
the time we spent together was very precious. it was great to meet up last year, who would have guessed that it was for the last time.
love from the deepest of my heart.
may you rest in peace.
love
uma khanna(nee Ratna)

Chitra Chandrasekhar/Varaprasad

January 13, 2012

Dear Urmilla

I know you can read this message from where you are. Just when I thought I had found a contact to re-connect with you, I get the sad, shocking news.

Thoughts flew back to our days at St Francis (Secunderabad, India). You were like a ray of sunshine as you walked into class. I will always remember your lovely smile, the infectious laughter as you swayed your head to one side and the many good times we had during drama practices!

You are now free from all the brutal physical suffering, but I'm sure you'll always be with Raghu and Aditi in spirit. Thinking of all of you, including your Dad, and with all of you in thought, spirit and prayers.

Radha (Warrier)Kottoor

January 13, 2012

My heartfelt condolences to Urmilla's family. May God bless you and grant you the strength to go on as she would want you to. Your special memories of her will always warm your hearts.

Sylvia Maya Aranha Anand

January 13, 2012

My heartfelt condolences to Urmila s family. We sat together at school. After school -I met Urmila at our SFX school, Class of 1966 get together last year - I always remembered Urmila as a warm happy person, and she remained that way. It is hard to imagine that she is no more with us. We love you Urmila and you will truly be missed ...
Sylvia Maya Anand

lalitha mani

January 12, 2012

My candle for Urmila.

raju nair

January 12, 2012

dear raghu,
my heartfelt condolences ... Ms Urmilla was a teacher, who brought in a hope and a sense of interest , in class... her marketing class instilled a deep love for the field and the subject ...i will always cherish that ...i never knew she was ill... Urmilla RIP

swati bhise

January 8, 2012

Dear Raghu and Aditi,
My prayers are with you and the family. Urmilla was one of the most amazing,humans i had the privilege of calling a friend and i was honored to have known this gracious, dynamic, kind, soul. A rare person who gave so much to all within the community and an absolute pillar of strength. She will always be amidst us.With a heavy heart i bid her goodbye......Swati Bhise (Goa)

High School graduation day 1966

Chandini Talwar

January 7, 2012

January 2011 Class Reunion. Urmilla is seated 1st on your left

Janet Hutchison

January 7, 2012

!966 Urmilla is seated on the bench 2nd from the left

Janet Hutchison

January 7, 2012

Chand Talwar

January 7, 2012

Dear Bear, you will be truly missed. You were such a warm, sensible person, with an amazing inner strength. Thank you for your friendship and love.
My heartfelt condolance to Aditi,Raghu, Kartik, Pavan and Mr. Belliappa.

Janet Hutchison

January 7, 2012

Our heartfelt condolences to Raghu,Aditi,Pavan,Kartik,Mr Belliappa and all the family.We remember you Urmilla as a sweet ,kind,gracious and very intelligent young lady and even in those school girl days your inner beauty shone through.You made the effort to join us at the reunion last January after 45 years and for that were very honoured and remain ever grateful.
Janet and the class of 66 SFX GHS Bangalore

Susan Avery

January 6, 2012

Dearest Aditi: Your mom was truly a rare diamond on this earth so it's not surprising to anyone who meets you that her light and amazing spirit was passed along seamlessly. Forever she will be with you and the rest of us who had the honor of knowing her. Urmilla elevated us all.

Senthi

January 6, 2012

Dear Raghu and Aditi,
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.Please pass on my condolences to her boys and father too.
I'm fortunate and happy to have known Urmilla and will always remember her,her courage and fortitude.

A beautiful spirit (on her wedding day).

Shannon Banks

January 6, 2012

Urmilla's positive spirit, kindness, and love will live on in our hearts & minds. She was the embodiment of all that is good. Her beautiful smile and wonderful laughter will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. Our love, thoughts and prayers go out to Raghu & Aditi.

Nancy Friedman

January 5, 2012

Dear Raghu and Aditi:
Urmilla was a ray of sunshine in her intelligence and spirit. I did not know her well at UNIS and through the Dandipani's, but I knew that I liked her immediately. She was a special person who has left the physical world too soon. I send a large embrace to you, Aditi. You will thrive with your Mom looking out for you always. My deepest sympathies to you both. Nancy Friedman

rama

January 5, 2012

I remember that you always had a smile on your face - even when you taught us economics! (at Stella). I admire you for your ability to face adversity with grace, as at that time you had the responsibility of looking after 2 young children as well. It was so nice that you were able to find love again and the last time I bumped into you, you had just had a baby.
My condolences to your husband and children.

Kavery Medappa

January 4, 2012

Dear mavi, will never ever get a mavi as good as you, appanna and appachu will defintely miss their loving poppamma

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