Name: Visitation for Meena Patel
Start: 2019-08-19T19:00:00.000Z
End: 2019-08-20T00:00:00.000Z
Location: Smith-Corcoran Chicago Funeral Home

Meena Patel, age 74, of La Jolla, CA, passed peacefully Friday, August 16, 2019, in Chicago, surrounded by her family. Meena (born Marsha Mae Kuhn, May 30, 1945 in Butler, PA) attended God's Bible College in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was a member of the chorale and trumpet trio; she also attended Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Meena was the founder of Lakeshore Montessori, Chicago's first Montessori School. For the past ten years, she has been a member of the Shadow Mountain Church choir in El Cajon, California. Meena and Babu Patel had two sons, Adesh (Cathy) and Jesal (Kate), and one daughter, Samiksha (Ed) Barnes of Carlsbad, California. Meena was preceded in death by her parents, the Rev. Raymond L. and Helen Lowry Kuhn, one sister, Marilyn Rae Kuhn, and one niece, Sarah Janene Kuhn. In addition to her children, Meena is survived by her brother, RB (Pamela) Kuhn, of Muncie, Indiana, and four grandchildren, Jesal Jr., Myles, and Jillian Patel, and Chloe Belle Barnes. To her many nieces and nephews in the family, she was Aunt Marsha. But to countless others, she affectionately endeared herself as "Momma" or "Auntie Marsha." Meena was sunshine that walked among us, always filled to the brim with contagious joy, laughter, love, advice, and encouragement; she loved well. Aptly stated by one niece, "I just can't imagine a world without Aunt Marsha." Her mantra was "choose joy," and that is exactly what she did throughout her earthly sojourn. Visitation for Meena's family and friends will be Monday, August 19, 2019, from 2:00 to 7:00 PM at the Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, 6150 North Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60646. Meena's wish was for memorial gifts to be designated to: Shadow Mountain Choir, ATTN: Director Tobin Davis, 2100 Greenfield Dr., El Cajon, CA 92019. Info 773-736-3833 or visit www.smithcorcoran.com

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Published by Chicago Tribune on Aug. 18, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Meena Patel

4 Entries

Mela (Mel, Melvennia) Bowman (née Maloney; Lundberg (Robert)

September 19, 2019

This is Mela (Maloney, Lundberg) Bowman. {2nd try!} I met Marsha through John Enyart at GBS. We became roommates in an apartment across from Christ Hospital. I had a motorcycle that we used to ride together. The first wreck we had Marsha was driving. It rolled over on us and we had to go to the ER for treatment of our burns. We had two wrecks in her car: one in West Virginia when we stayed with your grandparents for a week; and one in a 5 car wreck. Never a dull moment! She met some students from India. Jimmy used to say that his family owned an elephant parking lot, and that they gave Green Stamps (big in the 60's). When Marsha met Babu and moved to Chicago, I wasn't far behind her. I stayed with them for about two months. I got a job and moved into a hotel up the street from their apartment. Bob and I got married not long after your mom and dad. Our kids were about three months apart. Adesh was born three months before Eric; Jesal about three months before Sean; and Sami is close to Meredith. Eric died in a single plane accident in Florida in 1998. I knew your grandparents, your Aunt Marilyn and your Uncle RB, as well as your dad. Marsha was my best friend and the sister I never had. When she opened the school I served as a teacher, and was on her Board for awhile. I was able to bring Eric with me. Unfortunately, Sean was a baby and I had to get a sitter. Was she still putting her finger in her nose so it looked like it went into her brain? Lol. We lost touch when I moved back to Ohio after my divorce. Tonight, I suddenly felt impressed to Google her. I can't believe I missed talking with her by exactly a month! I know how fleeting life can be, how unexpected it can be. Please accept my sincerest condolences. It appears her life was full. I know I will see her again and I'm looking forward to that glorious time with our Savior Jesus Christ! It was a pleasure to know Marsha. She blessed me in so many ways. God bless each of you!

Anna Sguros

August 19, 2019

The Sguros family sends our deepest condolences and uplifting prayers to your family. We hope you find comfort in loved ones and His word during this difficult time.