Sunita Mehra

Sunita Mehra, age 77, passed away peacefully at her home in Franklin Lakes, NJ, on Thursday, May 7, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

Family was everything to her.  She was a fiercely loyal, protective and proud mother, wife,grandmother and friend.

Born in Mumbai in 1948, Sunita’s spirited and mischievous nature was evident from an early age. After graduating with a degree in English from Lady Shri Ram College for Women in New Delhi, she married her husband, Ajit, in 1970 and they embarked on a new adventure together in Montreal.

Over the course of her life, Sunita lived in four different countries, raised two successful children, traveled the world, and made it a brighter and sillier place. She delighted all who were lucky enough to know her with her warmth, affection, easy laugh and cheeky sense of humor.

Sunita’s spirit matched her sparkling beauty. She was generous and fun-loving, a fitness fanatic who worked out 6 days a week for most of her life. She loved watching Hygallmark movies, Shark Tank, and Kaun Banega Crorepaty, making sure she had either a warm cup of tea and multiple cookies beside her—or her go to— “something cold from the fridge” (code word for the most sugary drink possible).

She was an ardent reader and would routinely send text messages to her family urging them to read particular articles on Reader’s Digest, without actually sharing the articles.

She had a distinct style, never without a bright pink or purple manicure and or a full face of makeup, and somehow always struck the perfect balance between elegance and whimsy.

Sunita doted on her children and and even more so on her grandkids and filled the family home with love for the holidays. Any time they boarded a flight, her text would arrive without fail, “Tell the Pilot. ” To her grandkids, she was the definition of fun. From taking them on weekly trips to IHOP and Dairy Queen, parasailing alongside them on her 70th birthday, and making sure she always sent not one, but five of the funniest cards in the mail on every birthday,“Nani” taught everyone to have a zest for life.

Sunita was always poised and graceful, but surprised everyone during a family vacation to San Diego, when she decided to join the kids and go down a water-slide at the resort. She was always trying to prove that she was the coolest mom and Nani. She succeeded in making an unforgettable first impression on her future daughter-in-law when she came tumbling out the end of the slide at high speed, splashed into the water upside down, and took just a little too long to right herself. And even after the lifeguard dove into the 4-foot deep pool to fish her out much to everyone’s relief - she emerged out of the pool with the brightest smile.

It’s worth noting that in her final weeks, months and years, she never complained about her failing health; always the pillar of strength and positivity. Even as her own body weakened, it was remarkable how she still took care of her loved ones, checking to make sure everyone was offered ice cream after dinner (she may have had an agenda there), providing the best lap to lay on, squeezing out big smiles, demanding to see her grand-dogs on FaceTime, radiating love right up to the end.

Sunita is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Ajit; son, Nick; daughter, Radhika; daughter-in-law, Gitu; son-in-law, Madhukar; grandchildren, Ila and Niam; and dedicated caregiver, Cyntra Phang.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Padma and Captain Dwarka Nath (DN) Gadi; and brother, Lalit Gadi.

A Celebration of Life and viewing will be held on Saturday, May 9th from 1-3pm at Vander-Plaat

Funeral Home, 257 Godwin Ave, Wyckoff, NJ. 07481. We encourage all attendees to wear bright colors - hot pink was a favorite of hers.

Tea and snacks will follow at the family home in Franklin Lakes.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Sunita’s memory may be made to Cure PSP