Asha Narayana (Pai) Kamath

Asha Narayan Kamath departed this world surrounded by her children on
October 20, 2023, in Denver, CO. Lovingly dubbed “Hurricane Asha”, she
was a force: a bold individual who defied convention, embraced flavors and
fun, and lived with a genuine curiosity for the world and the people in it.

Born in 1956 in Chennai, India, the youngest child of a charismatic Hindu
family, she married and moved to Ottawa, Canada at the age of 19. As a
young bride with little knowledge of her new surroundings, Asha challenged
her naiveté through exploration. Over the subsequent decades she lived in
Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, Phoenix, AZ, Fairfax, VA, and Durham, NC.
She ultimately settled in Mansfield, TX, where she relentlessly advocated
for her grandson with autism and immersed her granddaughters in Indian
rituals and cooking lessons.

Asha’s penchant for detail and natural curiosity enabled her to combine
elements of the country she missed with her adopted one, in homes neither
Western nor Eastern, just powerfully Asha. Nowhere was this innovation
more evident than her flair for hospitality. Perfectly spiced chutneys
accompanied crispy, buttery dosas during family gatherings, while
Christmas festivities yielded magnificent spreads of homegrown vegetable
side dishes and fruit pies made from scratch. She will always be
remembered for the parties she threw for others: going away dance parties
with Australian-themed singing telegrams, graduation parties featuring
Indian street food prepared to order, and matrimonial fetes and birthday
celebrations for her family and friends that were as sophisticated as they
were ebullient. Asha brought warmth and joy to the people she hosted and
created a feeling of belonging. She taught us to embrace community,
cultivate beauty in all forms, and never take ourselves too seriously.

She practiced the same philosophy in her professional life, enabling the
Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill to increase the number of families
they served because of the work she did ensuring accurate insurance
billing and reimbursements.

Beyond her professional achievements, Asha was an avid hobbyist. She
had a knack for architecture and interior design. Her green thumb created
envy-worthy gardens wherever she went, and whether solo or
accompanied, traveling provided a canvas for her curious mind to wander
freely. As a voracious reader, biographies and historical novels were her
top picks.

Asha leaves a legacy of growth and discovery, of maternal devotion and
sheer resiliency, of brightening the lives of anyone within reach. She is
survived by her cherished daughter Nisha Kamath, her beloved son Sachin
Kamath and his amazing wife Jennifer, her adored grandchildren Lochlan,
Lila, and Rayna, and her friend and former spouse, Narayan Kamath. She
joins her mother, Leela Pai, eldest brother, Navin Pai, and dear cousin,
Vijay Rao, in the great beyond. Her father, Srinivas Narasim Pai, will
forever hold her memory close to his heart.

Fittingly, Asha departed this world during Navratri, a Hindu festival
celebrating the Mother Goddess. Asha surely embodied that in life and her
spirit will forever dance among us, lighting up the darkest moments with her
infectious smile. Her departure leaves us with laughter-filled memories and
a sense of wonder. As we commemorate our dear Asha, let’s remember to
sprinkle some humor and a dash of mischief into our own lives, honoring
her vibrant legacy.

The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider
donating to Ronald McDonald House Charities of The Triangle at
https://rmhctriangle.org/donate/.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Asha Narayana (Pai) Kamath, please visit our floral store.