Nirmala Sastry

She is survived by her sister Malathi; her two sons Ravi and Shyamy; her daughters-in-law, Alicia and Nicole; and her four grandchildren, Annacie, Bronwyn, Nathan, and Addie.

Nirmala married Dr. GM Sastry in 1959 and moved to the US in 1964 to be with her husband, who was finishing his PhD at North Dakota State University. She came to the US with only twenty dollars and landed in Fargo during a snowstorm. Nirmala flew beside Mrs. Rao, whose husband was also getting his PHD. Neither one had seen snow before and began to play in it after landing. Dressed in a sari and flip-flops, Nirmala & Mrs. Rao were photographed and put on the front page of the local newspaper. Mrs. Rao became Nirmala's best friend and taught her everything she knew about cooking.

Nirmala and her family moved several times across the US. While living in Michigan, Nirmala got her GED and graduated high school with her eldest son Ravi in 1978. Her family finally settled in Simpsonville, SC, in 1980 and has remained there for the past 44 years. She loved to cook and host parties for her family and friends. In addition to being a great chef, Nirmala had a hobby of drawing and painting which she loved to do with her four grandchildren.

Mama will be sorely missed by her family and friends as she joins her husband. The family will have a private ceremony on her birthday with close family members.