Nagarathna Gulur Kempaiah

Nagarathna Gulur Kempaiah was born in the small and inconspicuous village of Gulur in Karnataka, India on February 1, 1951. There was nothing small or inconspicuous about the life she created for herself, the fierceness with which she loved and the impact she had on others. Her huge capacity to love and give was legendary. Her immense strength and courage to be her family’s first immigrant to the U.S. set into motion a life that was rich in love and service, professional growth and recognition; a life that was the quintessential American Dream.

She was the youngest daughter of G. S. Kempaiah and B. Thimmakka. She moved to Bangalore at the age of 13, and was raised by her beloved sister, Dr. G.K. Sharadamma and her brother-in-law, N. S. Srinivasan. She attended Bangalore University and earned three professional degrees--BSc, BEd and BN--in the areas of Home Science, Education and Nursing between the years 1964-74. She eventually found her calling in Nursing and worked in the reputed NIMHANS institute and KC General hospital in the community psychiatry department. In 1977, she was invited to work in the United States and received her green card in the mail urging her join the American healthcare system. Rare during those times to venture out alone, especially for a woman, being the trailblazer she was, she took up the offer and arrived on US soil on Sept. 21, 1978. With a singular focus to succeed, she worked in California, Ohio and finally in Florida where she put down her roots. Collectively, she had 38 years of professional experience working first as a LPN in Tampa General Hospital, Centro Espanol Hospital, Manor Care, University Community Hospital and finally St. Joseph’s hospital. In 1985, she successfully completed the Registered Nurse exam and gained RN licensure. She gained specialization in Cardiac and Pulmonary medicine and worked on her beloved 4E floor in St. Joseph hospital for 32 years. In her time there, she was a Charge nurse for 18 years and took pride in providing quality care and compassionate nursing for innumerable patients. A Tampa resident since May 1979, she loved Tampa and nurtured a large network of friends, family and co-workers who remained steadfast in their love, admiration and respect for her. She retired from her profession in August 2017 and moved to live with her sister and her nieces in Tampa.

In 1990 she invited her two nieces in India, Shanthala and Sandhya, to study in the U.S. Helping them settle into their lives in the U.S. and eventually helping them raise their family was deeply impactful in the lives of her nieces who looked upon and after their Nagu aunty no differently that their own mom.

In 2016 she was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that had a prognosis of 3-4 years. She lived and loved fiercely and continued to make a difference till the end. She was cared for by her family and passed away peacefully in her sleep on August 16, 2021. She is survived by her daughters/nieces Dr. Shanthala Narasimha and Sandhya Srinivasan; son/nephew Justice N.S. Sanjay Gowda; sons-in-law Dr. Vijay Narasimha and Dr. Himanand Akkannappa; daughter-in-law Dr. Kala Sanjay; granddaughters Dr. Shruthi Narasimha, Neethi Narasimha, Shravya Gowda, Megha Akkannappa and Mansi Akkannappa; and grandson N.S. Sriraj Gowda. She is also survived by her three brothers G.K. Ramakrishna, G.K. Laxman Gowda and G.K. Sreenivas. She is preceded in death by her beloved sister, Dr. G.K. Sharadamma.

Nagu or Nagu maa or Nagammi as she was fondly called lived life larger than itself. She never feared to love and wore her heart boldy on her sleeve and loved every human being that crossed her path. Her motto was simple, Love one and all. Today we are poorer for losing her but richer in knowing and belonging to her. The adventures of this natural born adventurer, who made a rich and successful life in a new country and whose travels took her to all seven continents and forty countries, has finally come to an end on this earth. The fierce human, whom her beloved sister often lovingly referred to as the Mother Theresa of Tampa, is no longer with us. Her example will spur on all the people who knew and loved her to be like Nagarathna Gulur Kempaiah.

Rest In Peace, Nagammi.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like you to make a donation to Sahasra Deepika. Follow the link below and click on the orange Donate button. Choose to make a donation in memory of Nagarathna Kempaiah.

The funeral services will be streamed and a link will be posted on this page soon. Following the Viewing and Tributes/Eulogies on Saturday, the family will have a private religious ceremony. Please see below.