Ansuya Patel

I know Ansuya as Ann. I met her in Spring, 2018 when I moved into the same neighborhood. I had seen this pretty, petite woman walking, walking, walking around the short street from her house to the cul-de-sac where I have a small orchard, vegetable, and herb gardens. One morning we introduced ourselves and she asked about what I was growing. We talked about food, greens, and her sons. She tried to explain why anyone would eat bitter melon (there's a neighborhood story there). She would always accept cilantro, which I grow year around. I made sure she knew she never had to buy any - all she had to do was ask or just come down and pick what she needed. She once made me a packet of dried herbs and spices promising it was not too hot. I tried it in dome beans and my eyes watered for at least an hour . She said she used it every day!

Ann was light itself when we talked. Funny, warm, willing to be a little silly at times - she laughed easily. She often spoke about how proud she was of her sons and grandchildren. She glowed when she spoke of her family. I will miss seeing her walking, throwing up her hand when she saw me, her laugh, her kindness, her graceful ways. I hope to meet her again.