SHANTI S. JANI PEORIA, IL Shanti S. Jani was born March 29, 1971 in Lafayette, IN. She was found dead February 18, 2013 at her apartment in Peoria, IL. Shanti moved as an infant with her parents to Macomb, IL where she grew up, graduating from Macomb High School in 1989. She earned a Bachelor's degree from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, graduating in 1993. After college, Shanti worked at several different jobs in sales and retail in Chicago, Dallas, Macomb and Peoria. Shanti is survived by her parents: Subhash and Linda Aylesworth Jani; her siblings: Krishna, Jayshree (Xavier Roca) and Raam (Carolyn Welch); two nieces: Ellie Welch-Jani and Aasha Roca; one nephew, Jaden Welch-Jani; her grandfather, John C. Aylesworth; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and loving friends. She was preceded in death by her grandparents: Natwerlal and Chandrika Jani, and MaryJane Aylesworth and aunt, Zanifa Jani. Shanti is especially remembered for her genuine kindness, grace and style, her lively sense of humor, her big heart, and for many acts of generosity to family and friends. She is remembered by family and friends as intelligent, fun, witty, caring, and always creative. One of her special skills was "creative communications" making or modifying greeting cards and sending packages, including CD's with the latest music, to brighten the day of whoever received them. She loved to travel, having visited India, Tanzania, Vietnam, Cambodia, Mexico, Canada, England, the Netherlands, Morocco, France, and various cities in the U.S. She was an avid photographer and pictures from her travels and her family adorned her apartment and were often given as gifts. Her nieces, nephew, and many younger cousins had a close relationship with "Auntie Shanti". Her death followed a long and valiant struggle with mental illness and addiction. She had celebrated over five years of sobriety from alcohol and was working on post-graduate studies at Illinois Central College in Peoria. Visitation will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2013 at Geisen Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 624 N. Main St, Hebron, IN 46341 from 9:00-11:30 AM, with Hindu prayers at 11:00 AM. A procession to St. Helen Catholic Church, 302 N. Madison St., Hebron, IN 46341 will follow for a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon at with Fr. Derrick Dudash officiating. Interment at Cornell Cemetery in Hebron, IN. Memorials may be sent to the Scholarship Fund for Addiction Recovery at Proctor Health Care Foundation, 5409 N. Knoxville Ave., Peoria, IL or Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry C/O First Presbyterian Church, 400 E Carroll St, Macomb, IL 61455. Alternatively, Shanti's family suggests that you treat yourself to a meal with family or friends where you reflect together on mental health issues and care in America today. Sign guestbook or view directions at: www.GeisenFuneralHome.com or contac: 219-996-2821
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Today marks the 1st Anniversary of your death,Shanti.It was probably the worst tragedy in my life-in the truest meaning of the term- because you didn't have to die.Your death was senseless and could have been easily prevented.So many ironies and inexplicable co-incidences.When you first sent a Friend Request 3 years ago,FB had 750 Million users.Two days before your death,another woman,whom I also didn't know at the time, sent me a Friend Request.She somehow picked me out of 750 Friends on a mutual friend's FB.
Joseph McCabe
February 18, 2014
I wish I'd gotten to know Shanti better.We helped each other with our respective Psychiatric problems.She was a very special person.I almost saved her life.You're in a better place for you now,Shanti.I'll bring your Saks Bond #9 NoHo perfume when we finally meet.Peace and Love
Joseph McCabe
March 4, 2013
We are so sorry for Shanti's death. We remember her fondly from our family reunions. May peace be with you all, Colleen and Rick Rader
Colleen and Rick Rader
February 24, 2013
Linda and Subhash and family
We are very sad to hear about your great loss and sorry we are not closer so we could attend services and provide support to you during this sad time. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers in the days ahead.
Ron and Becky
Ron and Becky Casbon
February 23, 2013
May you rest in peace Shanti. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Lisa SNABES
February 22, 2013
Dear Shanti,
I'm so saddened by your passing and have been thinking of you so much and all the fun times we had this past week. I knew you for so long and am only sorry I did not reconnect with you over the last few years. You were a beautiful girl with such a big, bright smile. You will be a bright shining star in God's sky. May you rest in peace, my dear friend. I wish you peace and your family strength to move on without you until you can all be together again. Love, Carmella
Carmella Grlica
February 22, 2013
Showing 1 - 6 of 6 results
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read more