Parijathamma Meenakshy Kutty, also fondly known as “Meenayi”, passed away peacefully in her home with her loved ones holding her hands. She was born to Shri T. K. Gopalan Nair, who eventually retired as Chief Secretary to Govt of Kerala, and Smt Ponnamma Pillai at their ancestral home in Kuzhuthurai. She was the elder of 13 siblings, of whom only 9 survived into adulthood. At a very young age, she understood what it means to lose a loved one and was a source of strength and comfort to her siblings, who looked up to her more as a mother than as a sister. She was always intensely loyal, proud and loving of all her family. She was trained in Carnatic music and she was passionate about singing devotional songs and poetry penned by her older sister, even to the last days of her life.
In 1950, Meenayi married Shri Ayyappan Parameswaran Pillai, who was briefly in the Indian Army and then an Executive with Burmah Shell Company, which took her to various cities in India, including Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Bangalore. She was a devoted wife, a fantastic cook and a loving mother to her children, Padmaja and Dilip. In 1969, she returned to Kerala with her family, to take care of her elderly parents. When she tragically lost her husband suddenly and unexpectedly in 1980, she had the fortitude to pull her family together and to support her children in realizing their dreams and aspirations. She was also a loving caregiver to many nieces and nephews.
Meenayi eventually immigrated to the United States to spend time with her daughter and son. She loved traveling and always had a big smile on her face. She was witty and had a wry sense of humor, a trait she inherited from her father. She is survived by her daughter, Padmaja Pillai and son-in-law, Dr. M V Pillai; son, Dr. Dilip Pillai and daughter-in-law Deepti Pillai. She was a wonderful grandmother to Preetha Pillai Gist and her husband Robert Gist, Vinu Pillai and his wife Charene Pillai, Natasha Pillai and Anika Pillai; and a very special great grandmother to Riley, Orion, Adrian and Maximus, through whom she continues her legacy.
A viewing will be held on Wednesday, February 14 form 9 to 10 am. Prayer and paying of respects will be held from 10 to 11am followed by the cremation service, all at Ponte Vedra Valley. In lieu of flowers the family asked the a donation be made to: https://www.alivingtribute.org/
Livestreaming will begin approximately ten minutes before the start of the funeral directly below the obituary.
