On Friday, February 19, 2021, at approximately 8:55pm, Sarasa Parthasarathy left this world and has been embraced by God’s eternal love. She died at her home in Williamsville with kumkuma on her forehead and a peaceful expression on her face. She was 76.
Sarasa, the daughter of Pappamaal and Muthuswamy Reddiar, was born and raised in Trivandrum, Kerala. As the fourth of 14 children, Sarasa was like a second mother to her younger siblings who she adored. She was a sincere and passionate sister who was at times even more invested in their successes than they were. Once, she helped her brother, Veerakannan study for his board exams. He didn’t do well, but the one in tears was Sarasa who had helped him study for it.
Sarasa’s older brother, Kripa, introduced her to books and she soon became an avid reader. Sarasa never skimmed through a chapter or glossed over a boring paragraph. In fact, her father used to make fun of her for reading each and every word from the first page to the last. Her love for reading continued into adulthood where she read things as diverse as the Tamil language Kumudum Magazine and the #1 Ladies Detective Agency series which her daughter got her hooked on.
Those who didn’t know Sarasa may have thought her reserved and proper. She was frequently referred to as a “true lady” because of her deportment and attire. But the real Sarasa was fun-loving, mischievous, and goofy, with a wonderful ability to find humor in everything. Laughing was her hobby. It was infectious. She was creative and childlike in her enthusiasm for fun. You could see the delight she had being with little kids. Her children will never forget how she scared them silly by pretending to be a vampire when they were 8 and 4, and how she flipped the board at Pac Man. Her granddaughter treasures the countless hours they spent playing together. They made up games like, “You can’t make me laugh,” “Pretend you own a Flower Shop,” and “Teacher” with young Priya as the teacher and Sarasa as the student. They loved playing all sorts of board and card games, and once colored all day until they both got bumps on their hands from holding markers for hours on end. She was also a smart and kind teacher. She was able to explain reincarnation to her niece, Veena in a way a 5-year old could understand, and had the ability to discipline kids by using her quirky humor.
She had the magic to turn any dish delicious. Not knowing what a watermelon was, she once discarded the pink insides and cooked its outer rind into a delectable curry. She made the most amazing food, from Idli, Sambar, Aapum and Fish Curry, to her fabulous Pineapple Upside Down Cake (made from box mix).
Sarasa loved horror films. No movie ever scared, with the exception of “The Exorcist” (which made her avoid her daughter when she turned 12). She could stay up all night and talk with family about any subject without getting bored. She enjoyed traveling and took many trips with her husband’s sister, Santha, and Santha’s husband, Regu. She loved Las Vegas and was a good and lucky card player. Her husband, Parthas, often said her good luck offset his bad. She also had an uncanny knack of predicting things like a psychic. She often could tell what she would draw next while playing rummy, and knew that her daughter needed her at 6am because there would be unanticipated life-threatening challenges in labor.
Sarasa was a bold and disciplined woman - the perfect partner for her husband. Before their marriage, Parthas invited her to Trivandrum beach to introduce her to his friends. She refused citing family customs. Anyone who knows Parthas knows he isn’t often refused! He needed a strong and steady partner and Sarasa was indeed that. She was also patient, unassuming, and a non-demanding spouse whose constant love made her husband a better man. The love and connection between them was an evident radiance of what we all strive to have in our own lives.
Sarasa had a never ending contagious smile, grace, elegance and beauty, brought positive energy to any situation, and in her presence you felt her warmth and love. She leaves behind a beloved husband, Dr. K.L. Parthasarathy; daughter, Remla, son, Murali; granddaughter, Priya; and countless sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. Her kindness and love will never be forgotten.
A private family service was held on February 21 and a memorial service will be held sometime in the future. No flowers, please; Sarasa didn’t like receiving them – whenever they died it made her sad. Instead, donations can be made to your favorite charity.
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