Mallika J. Kantayya

With heavy hearts we share; Mallika J. Kantayya, 80, of South Windsor, Connecticut passed away in the arms of her daughters on Monday, September 4, 2023.

Mallika was born on June 6, 1943 in Tamil Nadu, India, the middle of three children to the late Charles and Lily Victor. She was a graduate of St Mary’s College in India where she majored in Biology. Later she earned credentials in various healthcare fields, including medical technology, her vocation until retirement.

Mallika was the embodiment of the American dream. At the age of 26, she immigrated to the United States. Within ten years, she was left in this foreign land, without resources and the single parent of two small children. With fierce determination and hard work, she not only provided for her daughters, but created a life which enabled them to pursue and achieve their own dreams.

Mallika was a woman of faith who was deeply committed to her community at Our Savior Lutheran Church. There she volunteered for services, their food bank, nursery, and vacation bible school. She was a dedicated walker, gardener, world traveler, Bible study attendee, and phenomenal cook (she made every meal with love, and each felt like a hug from her). From infants to the elderly—her ever-present warmth, irreverent sense of humor, and infectious laughter made her beloved across generations. Mallika could make an ordinary day a celebration. Her greatest joy was spending time with the people she cherished.

Mallika will be dearly missed by her daughters, Mellini Kantayya and Shalini Kantayya, her granddaughter Teru Kantayya-Burke, her son-in-law, Sean Kantayya-Burke, her elder brother, Suresh John Vedanayagam, her sister-in-law, Kala Desh, her nephew and his wife, Paul Dinesh Desh and Preeya Desh, and their children, Nithin, Naveen, and Ariya Desh, as well as her cousins and extended family. She is predeceased by her younger brother, Samuel Desh.

A Life Celebration will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 239 Graham Road, South Windsor, Connecticut. A memorial breakfast hour will be held at 10:00 am, with services to follow at 11:00 am. For the Life Celebration, please wear clothing representative of the joy and vibrancy of Mallika’s life rather than mourning.

Funeral services took place, Saturday, September 9, 2023 at the Flemington Presbyterian Church 10 East Main Street, Flemington, New Jersey. A calling hour was held at 10:30 am, followed by a funeral service at 11:30 am. Interment followed in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Flemington.

Mallika believed strongly in the education and empowerment of women. Donations can be made to Sakhi for South Asian Women, P.O. Box 1333, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10008-1333 in support of survivors of domestic violence; or to the Helen and Harry Gray Cancer Center, 85 Retreat Ave., Hartford CT 06106 in appreciation of the tender care Mallika received from the nurses of Hartford Hospital’s CB2 unit.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.holcombefisher.com.