Chitra R. Murali

Our dearest Chitra Murali, age 61, unexpectedly passed away on December 16, 2021 at the Northside Hospital in Duluth, GA due to a flare up of her pulmonary fibrosis about two weeks prior.

Chitra was born in India and brought up in Toronto, Canada when she was eight-years old. She graduated from Concordia University in Montreal, Canada with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

Chitra’s aunts, uncles and cousins, who doted on her physically from far away, reflect on all the positive memories of Chitra’s childhood. They remember Chitra as a popular, very beautiful, sweet little girl at Rosary Convent in Hyderabad, India. They recall her capturing everyone’s hearts because of her pleasant temperament and great proficiency in singing American and Hindi songs without any inhibition. She encouraged her cousins to sing loud and sing freely too whenever she would visit them in India. Chitra was extremely happy even with the small things in life. She was very plain hearted and innocent right from her childhood.

Chitra met and married her husband Murali in Montreal, Canada in 1986. She fell in love with him instantly. Chitra’s favorite memories with Murali included visiting the Montreal Safari, spending time together at Mont Royal Park, taking ferry boat rides at Niagara Falls, traveling and having adventures around the world and spending time together with family, friends and little children during special occasions. Chitra and Murali enjoyed hosting Diwali, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s parties. They are always thankful for all the love and incredible family support from everyone including her mom, Joy’s parents – Raksha ji and Pravin Ji, Payal and Pratik’s family, Ansu, Balu uncle, Nandita’s family, Priya, Shivaku, Uma, Sapna’s family, Annu, Balu uncle, Rohini, Ramesh, Jayashree, Mukund, Anitha, Asha, Divakar, Abira, Kuthoores family, Anu’s family, Adi, Archu, Alston, Ani, Ashrita, Anjali, Annika and Dartmouth-MA extended family friends – Roys, Singhs, Senguptas, Gangulys, Patels family – Birju, Kruti, Rajans, Partha, Rani and family, Parayitams, Dayalans, Tandons, Voras, Krupa Patel’s and Saniya Setia’s families and several others. Murali always enjoyed surprising Chitra with flowers and cards and making her feel happy on her birthday, their anniversaries and on all days they could be together.

In September of 1989, Chitra and Murali’s family of two grew as they welcomed their daughter, Sangita, into their lives. Not a day will go by that Murali and Sangita won’t think of Chitra and feel her full presence around them. Not a day will go by that they won’t remember how she was one of the kindest of people who appreciated the small things each day. Murali and Sangita would make Chitra her favorite cup of tea each morning and she always made them feel like it was the world’s best cup. Not a day will go by that Sangita will stop thinking about her adventures with Chitra, impromptu visits to the beach, their wild ideas like when they decided to buy a goat while Murali was on a business trip and he caught them when he came back early with someone measuring the yard for a fence because apparently, they needed that to buy the goat. Not an Elvis Presley or Sound of Music song will play without Chitra’s voice in their hearts.

All of our hearts are heavy and our eyes are full of tears. Murali and Sangita wish they could take care of Chitra longer. She will always be their life. Sangita and Chitra will always be Murali’s right and left eyes.

Murali and Sangita cannot thank Chitra enough for teaching them how to be good care takers, how to slow down and enjoy life, and how to be the best versions of themselves because despite any challenges, Chitra was always the best version of herself. Joy and Sangita hope that when they have the opportunity to start their own family, that their kids will love them as much as Murali and Sangita will forever love Chitra. Chitra taught her family and friends so much about medicine, pulmonary fibrosis and how a flare up can too quickly mark the beginning of the end. Chitra looked forward to the joyous occasion of celebrating Sangita and Joy’s wedding. We are so blessed to have Chitra celebrate it with all of us. Chitra was ailing, but fought very hard to make it to Joy and Sangita’s wedding days only a few weeks before leaving this world… and now, she gets to rest. Until we meet again sweet, innocent Chitra…

Survivors include her mother, Lakshmi, husband, Murali and their daughter, Sangita.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/)
in Memory of Chitra Murali to find a permanent cure.

Hindu Funeral Service will take place on December 20, 2021 11:00am-1:00pm at Wages & Sons Stone Mountain Chapel, 1040 Main Street, Stone Mountain, GA 30083, 770-469-9811.

Cremation will follow with Murali and Sangita in presence.