Lalitha B. Krishnan

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Lalitha B. Krishnan, who left us peacefully at her home on August 3rd, 2025 at the age of 95.

Born on November 17th, 1929 in Kerala, India, Lalitha was the beloved daughter of T.S. Krishna Iyer and Bhagavati Ammal. Growing up, she took after her father, and developed a lifelong love of poetry, books, music, sports, and the arts.

Even as a young woman, Lalitha was determined to chart her own course. Rather than getting married after high school, she wanted to continue her education. With her parents’ blessing, she earned her Masters in mathematics from the University of Kerala in 1949.

Her curiosity and love of learning never dimmed. After getting married, starting a family, and moving to the United States, Lalitha went on to earn a second Masters in mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania.

As a mother, Lalitha was a steady wellspring of love, guidance, and encouragement. She inspired her children to follow their passions, embrace life with curiosity and energy, and instilled in them the same love of learning.

A passionate and natural-born teacher, she spent 36 years teaching mathematics at Cheyney University, where she championed an advanced mathematics curriculum. She was truly a one-in-a-million mentor — the kind of teacher who made an impact on the life of every student that came through her classroom. Her infinite patience, unwavering support, and steadfast belief in others were as present in the classroom as they were in every corner of her life.

It wasn’t until 1986 that Lalitha discovered her greatest joy and true calling: being a grandmother. There is no greater love than the love she had for her grandchildren. She celebrated every milestone, no matter how small, and in 2025 beamed as she welcomed her great-granddaughter.

In her spare time, Lalitha was an avid gardener, a master of Sudoku and a movie buff. She was a brilliant cook and enjoyed nothing more than sharing a home-cooked meal with her loved ones.

Beyond her family, Lalitha also poured her time and talents into the community. She served on the boards of SEWAA (Service and Education for Women Against Abuse) and SRUTI, an Indian music and dance society, and was an active member of the Association of Indians in America.

It is difficult to summarize the life of such an extraordinary woman: A remarkable matriarch, brilliant teacher, storyteller extraordinaire, and beloved friend to everyone she met. Lalitha’s legacy is one of wisdom, laughter, and love — and the countless lives she touched will carry her light forward.

Lalitha is predeceased by her husband, Kalpathi C. Krishnan, who passed away in 2002. She is survived by her two children: Chidambaram (Shanti) and Usha (Devji), her four grandchildren: Nikhil, Hari (Juli), Neel (Nora), and Nina, and her great-granddaughter, Sloane. Lalitha is also remembered fondly by her younger brother, Dr. T. K. Padmanabhan (Usha), with whom she shared a special bond that spanned decades.

A memorial service to honor Lalitha’s life will take place on August 9, 2025, starting at 11:00 AM and concluding at 12:30 PM, followed by cremation, at The Donohue Funeral Home - Upper Darby, located at 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA 19082.