Unni, Dr. Chandra Sheila passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 18, 2018. She was 78 years old. Dr. Unni was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, sibling, friend, psychiatrist, community member, and philanthropist. She also dressed, decorated, and cooked fabulously and was an avid art collector. Chandra immigrated to the United States in the late '60s, raised three boys, and established a psychiatry practice that would last for over 40 years, even running her own clinic in Rochester, MN, for roughly 20 years. Despite multiple opportunties to retire, motivated by her passion for helping others, she continued practicing in remote psychiatry placements well into this year. Chandra was a force of nature, never complaining about her significant physical disabilities caused by contracting polio at a young age. She jet skied, tried snowmobiling, danced at every opportunity, and would walk as far as anyone else on family trips. Always throwing festive and welcoming parties, including a large Diwali dinner at her senior living community 10 days before passing, she was the consummate host. She derived great joy and sustenance from her extended family across the globe, including not only relatives, but also her close friends from the Mayo Clinic community and from the Aiimsonians from her medical school days. She is survived and honored by her husband, Krishnan; sons, Akhil, Aditya, and Adosh; grandchildren, Sabina, Zoya, Ishan, Shamira, and Zavian; and siblings, Arvind Deshraj and Siddarth Deshraj. There will be a celebration on Janaury 19, 2019, in Minneapolis (location tbd). Please send inquiries to: csunnimdcelebration@gmail.com

Published on December 9, 2018