Shantha Lakshmi Thummala

Shantha Lakshmi Thummala, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2025, after a courageous ten-month battle with glioblastoma. She was 69 years old.
Born on February 11, 1956, Shantha earned a Bachelor of Science in Botany and later dedicated 27 years of her life working as a legal assistant at an immigration law firm. After moving to the United States midway through her life, she humbly built a small community for herself while providing for her family.
Shantha was a woman of remarkable strength and quiet resilience. She was a loving wife to Kamalanathan Thummala and a devoted mother to Nithin Thummala (Julie), Kirti Thummala (John Raseman), and Kripa Thummala. In the final months of her life, she experienced her greatest joy-being called nanamma by her 10-month-old granddaughter, Emma, and ammamma by her 5-month-old grandson, Avi.
To know Shantha was to know the warmth of a home-cooked meal, the comfort of her gentle spirit, and the extraordinary courage of a woman who, though just 4'10.5", carried the world's weight with unmatched grace. Her love language was food-making it, serving it, sending it, and always making sure her family felt nourished in every way. Her kitchen was always open, and her love was served warm, on a plate, with a smile- always encouraging us to eat just one more dosa.
She found delight in life's small pleasures-walking through grocery store aisles, eating bread with butter, spending time surrounded by family, and holding her grandchildren close. Her quick wit kept everyone laughing, and though she tried to stifle it, her shy and endearing laugh always bubbled out, impossible to contain.
In addition to her husband, children, and grandchildren, Shantha is survived by her sister, Vara Navuluri, brother, Sudhakar Bellamkonda, and a large extended family and circle of friends who will miss her deeply and remember her always.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at A.J. Desmond & Sons Funeral Home, 2600 Crooks Rd., Troy, MI.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Head for the Cure in Shantha's honor.