Maria Rao of Kenner, Louisiana, passed away peacefully at her home, while surrounded by friends and family, on Thursday, May 21st, 2020, at the age of 80. We will miss her love for life, family, and God. Most of all we will miss her endearing smile, generosity, and wisdom. Everyone who knew Maria would say that she always smiled through her pain, ready to help and to provide comfort to everyone. Maria was known for her loving and inspiring personality. Hard-working, and open-minded, she always encouraged us to pursue knowledge and strive for a better life. She was a deeply religious and spiritual person. Maria was also an incredible cook, avid gardener, gifted artist, herbalist, and well-versed in Indian culture. She was a gentle soul, compassionate, loved children and had an unfaltering spirit. Maria loved writing poems and even had some published in a local Tamil newspaper. Maria was strong, intelligent and very kind hearted. Even as a child she would offer what she had to the less fortunate. Maria was born in Perak, Malaysia in 1939 to parents who emigrated from India in the early 1920’s. She lived through both the British and Japanese occupation of Malaya; which was very different from the progressive and modern Malaysia of today. Maria shared stories of bravely walking through the woods each day to school as a little girl. She continued in the same school as a teacher, until she married Patrick Rao in 1957, settling in Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. As a young housewife, she helped him shoulder the responsibilities of his extended family. A faithful partner in life, she sacrificed her teaching career to support him in his. She selflessly put the needs of her family ahead of her own. Maria taught herself to sew and became a well-respected seamstress in her late 30’s, specializing in Indian saree blouses and intricate Indian classical dance costumes. She always had an entrepreneurial spirit, from assisting in her family’s farming business, to selling fruit and vegetables from her own garden, and creating handmade jewelry. Two years after Patrick succumbed to cancer in 2005, she moved to the U.S., to live with her daughter, Jacqueline, in the New Orleans area. Maria continued with her cooking and gardening, discovering the joy of watercolor painting and crossword puzzles at the age of 70. Maria leaves behind her children, Jacqueline (Kerry) in the U.S., Angela (Peter) in the UK, and Bobby (Vivien) in Malaysia. She also leaves behind in Malaysia, her beloved granddaughter, Davinia, and her last surviving sibling, her brother Gopal. She will be greatly missed by her many family members and friends in both Malaysia and the U.S. She will be cremated in New Orleans on the 28th of May, 2020. The family intends to bring her remains back to Malaysia for final memorial services in the near future. The family invites you to express your fond thoughts, memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.
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