Rohini Narasimhan

Rohini Narasimhan peacefully passed away on October 4, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family and friends. Born in Bangalore, India on April 2, 1933, she spent her early years living with her family who owned a rice field and coffee farm. She was the youngest of eight children and the only daughter born to her parents. Her family shared their extra rice harvest with neighbors, living by her mother’s motto of “whatever God has given you, share it with others,” a phrase Rohini personified. She lived a life that was colorful, bright and filled with love for 92 years.

Rohini found a passion and natural talent for captivating the world and those around her through music. She was an accomplished singer and veena player with the ability to radiate deep emotion through her artistry. She touched audiences with her beautiful voice and music, performing several times as an invited guest on All India Radio and later in life at Thyagaraja Aradhana Music Festival and Dhvani.

She was always eager to make a positive impact on her community. She was proud to work at Corvallis Public Library, fulfilled by the chance to share stories and build lasting friendships. She also played a pivotal role in the career of her husband, Dr. M.N.L. Narasimhan, a world renowned research scientist. She moved with him to Canada, Poland and throughout the United States, transcribing his papers and creating the format for the complex mathematical equations used in his research. In addition, she made it of the utmost importance to provide a caring and stable home filled with unconditional love for her family.

Rohini was a lifelong student of the Bhagavad Gita, she not only studied its verses but embodied its essence—living each day with serenity, compassion, and faith. As the Gita teaches, ‘Adveshta sarva-bhūtānām maitraḥ karuṇa eva ca’—to be friendly and compassionate to all. Those who knew her saw this verse come alive through her grace and equanimity.

Anyone who knew Rohini, knew a true friend. She welcomed everyone into her life with understanding and acceptance, making them feel safe and at home in her presence. She filled every room with her expressive stories, conversation, laughter and friendship.

She served as an example of genuine joy, happiness, love and light to those who knew her. The light that danced in her eyes, the warmth of her smile, and the symphony of her love and luminous spirit will be missed for eternity.

May her melody live in every heart she touched, and may her light continue to illuminate our path towards love and compassion. With creativity and loving devotion, she was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She is survived by her three children, Nagraj (Raj,) Sandhya (& Mark) and Rupa (& Rick), - her grandchildren, Shannon (& Jason), Ariel (& Jordan), Evan (& Andrew), Steven, Mikaila (& Mitch) and Alyssa (& Freddy); her great grandchildren, Olivia and Isla, and other cherished family and friends.