Laxmi Kesavan
1936-2022
Our family would greatly appreciate hearing your memories via the guestbook below. Before writing, please read Laxmi’s life history if you have not already done so.
Please also consider making a donation to the Laxmi Kesavan Memorial Fund — more information is here.
9 entries.
wrote on December 13, 2022
at
4:36 am
How much can I write about my dear friend Laxmi. I first met Laxmi in September 1965 on my very first trip as a new bride. My husband Ariam had been close with Laxmi & Kesavan during their first stay in Waterloo, and so he decided to introduce me to his friends by visiting them in Kanpur on our way to Canada from Sri Lanka after our wedding. A few years later in 1968, when the Kesavans returned to Waterloo, they lived in our house for a year while we were away on sabbatical. They decided to buy a house near our house so that we could continue our close friendship.
Laxmi was a great friend and hostess and made people feel very much at home. She was always well dressed and always looked beautiful. She had a loving heart and spread her love to all those who came in contact with her. She brought up her three daughters with the same love and care she shared with others.
I had the privilege of seeing Laxmi almost every day till the passing of Kesavan. I will miss you, Laxmi.
Laxmi was a great friend and hostess and made people feel very much at home. She was always well dressed and always looked beautiful. She had a loving heart and spread her love to all those who came in contact with her. She brought up her three daughters with the same love and care she shared with others.
I had the privilege of seeing Laxmi almost every day till the passing of Kesavan. I will miss you, Laxmi.
wrote on December 11, 2022
at
11:10 pm
We remember Dear Laxmi as we called her,very fondly. We lived pretty close to their house in Waterloo at first. We remember the frequent idli parties at her house. Those were wonderful times. We remember all her daughters with affection. Dear Kesavan and Laxmi were always very helpful. We did visit them from here a couple of times. May her soul's jounney be excellent.
wrote on December 11, 2022
at
11:24 am
Laxmi Kesavan: is a legend, and an angel in my life. I met Professor Kesavan at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada where I started my teaching career soon after my graduate school at the University of Saskatchewan. I was entangled with the Kesavan family instantaneously. It was a quantum-Bonding phenomenon. It started with my appointment at IITKanpur under the Kanpur Indo American Program ( KIAP). I virtually became a member of the family. It has been a divine experience. I lost my mentor prof. Kesavan, son- in- law-Srihari recently and now Laxmi, the ultimate loss. I feel very lonely now. I am one year younger than her. Most of all she adopted my son Subhash as soon as he was born as her own grandson. Her home was his first home. Rohini, Anita and Kalpana are virtually his only sisters. It has been a united family and she played a central role in my life as a matriarch.
wrote on December 5, 2022
at
9:37 pm
Dear Laxmi aunty will be missed by all of us . She was a very kind thoughtful and amazing hostess. Made us all feel so welcome that some of her guests invited themselves for a left over for a left over party the next day!
She was very smartly dressed in her lovely Sarees .
She brought up 3 wonderful daughters and taught us how to adapt to the new western world!
She will be missed by all of us.
She was very smartly dressed in her lovely Sarees .
She brought up 3 wonderful daughters and taught us how to adapt to the new western world!
She will be missed by all of us.
wrote on December 5, 2022
at
5:19 am
I met Laxhmi Aunty a couple of times when I was struck by her grace, warmth, and liveliness of spirit. My friend, her daughter Anita spoke lovingly about her. Lately, reading Arun’s loving tribute, I found myself tearing up. She faced many odds following her husband to a country so far away from her home at age 18. She not only thrived, but championed and enabled her daughters and grandchildren. She was the vanguard of her generation who fearlessly forged a path in a new country, even embracing sports (unusual for a lady of generation) in order to fit in while maintaining cherished traditions, the chief of which is to hold the family close. One by one, we are losing that generation. Your loss, Kesavan family, is ours too.
wrote on December 2, 2022
at
6:51 pm
Mrs Laxmi Kesavan was like an elder sister for us for 54 years.. She was compassionate and caring to all graduate students from India who came to University of Waterloo. Professor Kesavan and Laxmi Kesavan’s house at 279 Glenridge, Waterloo was a like a home to us. She would make us feel at home every time we visited them, even after we moved away from Waterloo.
This is an enormous loss.
This is an enormous loss.
wrote on December 2, 2022
at
2:36 pm
Laxmi aunty was a woman with heart of gold and a gentle demeanor with a loving and humorous nature. And her presence will always be felt by everyone whose lives she touched. She has left a permanent impact in our lives and of our family. I have known her from my childhood days since she and my mom became closest of of friends from our IIT Kanpur days and during our visit to Waterloo in the late 60s where we became a part of their family. I had the fortune of seeing her several times as an adult at her 2 daughters weddings and more recently 3 years ago here in Southern California at my son’s wedding reception. I will always remember the twinkle in her eye and her soft spoken words.
And to this day with all the miles between my mom and Laxmi aunty, they always stayed in touch whether by Facebook or phone. Even if they hadn’t talked for months on end, when they eventually did, it was as if time had stood still. And all our memories from IITK and Waterloo became alive again. She had the grace and compassion which melted one’s hearts welcoming us into her home and showering us with food and love. Always in our hearts, dear Laxmi aunty. And thanks to We will miss you. You have left behind 3 amazing daughters who will continue to thrive because of all your love, warmth and guidance. You will be dearly missed. Rest in peace, gracious lady.
And to this day with all the miles between my mom and Laxmi aunty, they always stayed in touch whether by Facebook or phone. Even if they hadn’t talked for months on end, when they eventually did, it was as if time had stood still. And all our memories from IITK and Waterloo became alive again. She had the grace and compassion which melted one’s hearts welcoming us into her home and showering us with food and love. Always in our hearts, dear Laxmi aunty. And thanks to We will miss you. You have left behind 3 amazing daughters who will continue to thrive because of all your love, warmth and guidance. You will be dearly missed. Rest in peace, gracious lady.
wrote on December 1, 2022
at
3:01 pm
I will always remember and cherish Laxmi Aunty for her hospitality and generosity of heart during our frequent trips to Waterloo between '68-70. The Pai family practically lived in 279 Glenridge Dr., enjoying Aunty's classic meal of 'rasam- chaadam', playing Chinese checkers (one of Aunty's passions:-), and generally experiencing together the commotion, tumult, and unforgettable music that marked the times! Laxmi Aunty personified warmth, grace, and beauty, and I'm so grateful to have known her. My mom and dad's enduring friendship with the Kesavans through the years has sealed our love and affection for the family. Deepest condolences to all of you! Laxmi Aunty was a gentle soul, humble and always giving. She will be dearly missed.
wrote on December 1, 2022
at
4:33 am
Thank you for visiting. Our family looks forward to reading your thoughts.