Hannah Sinha

After a long life filled with devotion to her family and generations of students, Hannah Sinha (née Thomas), passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at home on January 15, 2026. Born in Bangalore, India, she was the daughter of Mr. K.V. Thomas and Mrs. Achamma Matthew, and a faithful member of the Mar Thoma Church, an ancient Syrian Christian tradition in Kerala.

She will be missed by her husband of 61 years, Anil Kumar Sinha, daughters Lina, Bina, and Naina, son-in-law, Eric, beloved grandsons, Nikhil and Rohan, goddaughter Priya, and brother Matthew along with her many nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own. She was predeceased by her siblings, Vurghese, Deena, and Miriam.

Educated at Harvard and New York University, she touched the lives of many students in India, England, Maine, and New York. Together with her husband, she founded The Montessori Schools of New York International, which have served children since 1969. Her teaching style aimed to inspire children to reach their fullest potential. Respectful of and interested in all cultures, she traveled the world and instilled a love of exploration and curiosity. This passion extended to her talents in the kitchen as an expert chef, with many scrumptious dishes—we will especially miss her biryani, chicken curry, fried shrimp, and badam halwa. Her students fondly remember her lemon rice and chop suey. She was a consummate holiday host, famous for her Thanksgiving turkey filled with samosa stuffing.

A love of nature that dates to her childhood Girl Scout days, she always took the time to teach everyone around her to appreciate trees, flowers, and plants. She cared for all God’s creatures and filled her home with animals of all kinds - Papa bird, Jellybean, and Aslan ‘Azzy’ will miss her. Her loves also included classical literature from Greek myths to Shakespeare, Broadway musicals (especially Gilbert & Sullivan), and Handel’s Messiah. Alongside the arts, she believed athletics was essential. She always looked forward to the U.S Open and The Olympic Games, especially track & field, tennis, gymnastics, speed skating, and basketball.

It is fitting that her passing coincides with the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., as her life helped to bend the moral arc of the universe.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at give.michaeljfox.org.

A visitation will be held on Friday, January 23rd, 4:00PM-8:00PM, at the Frank E. Campbell-The Funeral Chapel, located at 1076 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, 10028.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 24th, 10:00AM, at Central Presbyterian Church, located at 593 Park Avenue, New York, New York, 10065, followed by a burial committal at The Green-Wood Cemetery, located at 755 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, 11232.