Meera Radha Krishnan

Meera R. Krishnan, M.D.MPH, was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, physician, and friend who lived a rich and full life. She shared 63 years of marriage with her husband Radha. Together, they built a life that took them across continents, forming enduring friendships around the world, and traveled extensively-experiences that brought Meera great joy throughout her life.

Meera was the mother of twins, her son, Aditya, and her daughter Amrita. Motherhood was one of the great joys of her life. She instilled in both of them a deep respect for education, intellectual curiosity, hard work, and the importance of pursuing meaningful careers. Some of her proudest moments came when she watched her children reach milestones of their own. She attended Amrita’s medical school graduation and had the special privilege of placing her daughter’s white coat on her, symbolically welcoming her into the profession Meera had chosen decades earlier. She was equally proud to attend Aditya’s law school graduation and launch his professional career.

Meera was born in Vellore, Madras, in 1940 and grew up in Secunderabad, a city then occupied by the British Army. Her early education was at St. Anne’s Convent, before she went to study medicine at Osmania University. During an era, when relatively few women pursued medicine, she earned an MBBS degree and became a physician. This milestone reflected her intellectual ability and independence which characterized her entire life.

Upon graduation, Meera and Radha, a newly married couple, left for the United Kingdom. While she continued medical training, the young couple began their married life away from home. Their twin children, Amrita and Aditya, were raised during their early years in England. Meera’s priorities as a physician had to change, and she decided to stay at home and raise the twins. Radha saw that she placed great emphasis on the twins upbringing in a country which had no facilities or support to help women. Meera often looked back and felt that was easily the best decision she made in her married life.

The next chapter in their life unfolded as Radha was moved to a Corporate job in the USA. However, Meera’s professional aspirations continued unabated. She stepped back into medicine in New Jersey and gained Board Certification in Pathology and was Board Eligible in Internal Medicine. This was followed by a post-graduate degree, MPH at Columbia University. Her dedication to achieve this qualification, required driving 100 miles every evening after a days work in N.J. The MPH degree turned out to be the gateway for her position as an Acting Medical Director at the Corporate HQ of Merck & Co.

Radha’s transfer with a Corporate job, gave the couple an opportunity to live abroad as expatriates. Meera, with her diversity of experience and talent became the principal catalyst for the couple to build a wide circle of friends, world wide, when they lived in Singapore. It created a legacy of friendships and happy memories which last to this day.

Meera and Radha have been blessed with three grandchildren. Kimaya, Dhruv and Raj gave Meera endless hours of comfort and happiness.

Meera’s life which began in Vellore, India, culminated with the last chapter in Newport Beach. It took her through England, New Jersey, Virginia and Singapore before finishing in Southern California. Her vivacious personality, affection, and acerbic wit, were qualities which enriched our life. It is a legacy for which Radha will be eternally grateful.