In loving memory of Gayathri Ramaswamy

August 13, 1961 - August 29, 2025

Gayathri Ramaswamy – wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, ardent learner, and friend – passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025, just days after her 64th birthday, after a hard-fought battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a rare and devastating neurodegenerative disease.

Officially diagnosed in the summer of 2019, Gayathri’s physical limitations gradually progressed to a point where she could no longer move, speak, eat, and eventually breathe. While her physical limitations were significant, the same could not be said for her mental acuity. She was sharp as a tack until the very end which made the experience all the more frustrating for herself and her family. They each carried an immense emotional burden and often felt helpless in this situation as her condition worsened. Despite the overwhelming negativity, with the help of many selfless caregivers and our many incredible friends, Guha, Ravi, and Krish all stepped up to the plate to make sure she was well cared for. While these past 6 years were incredibly difficult, there were also many good times where she was able to celebrate significant milestones. She had a blast dancing at Guha’s wedding and was overjoyed upon learning of her Grandson Aari’s arrival. She also saw Ravi overcome several obstacles to ultimately succeed professionally.

Throughout this process she remained a committed family member and friend. She would frequently buy new clothes for her children and supply them with a fresh stock of toiletries. She would also keep in close contact with her many of her friends to stay in the loop with what was going on in their personal lives. Beyond her personal life, she would stay equally tuned in to current events and watched several news programs to stay plugged into what was happening in the world.

Born in Bangalore, India on August 13, 1961, Gayathri lived a life defined by purpose, discipline, and leadership. She was an accomplished IT professional in Roanoke, Virginia. While her early career reflected her talent and ambition, she ultimately chose to dedicate herself to raising her two boys, Guha and Ravi. In this time, she pushed them to succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. She would always tell them that while education is extremely important, it is even more important to treat others with honesty and respect. As a wife, she supported her husband Krish by keeping the kids on track, preparing meals, and deftly controlling the family’s finances.

Aside from her commitment to family, Gayathri’s was known for her constant pursuit of knowledge. Out of pure passion and curiosity she took several classes at Virginia Western Community College including Greek Mythology, Poetry, and Chinese. She also enjoyed watching Jeopardy where she would excel at a variety of different categories. Her other hobbies include practicing yoga and hiking with her close friends Betsy and Rita. She was also a pillar of the Indian community and was on the Board of Directors for the Shantiniketan Temple in Roanoke, VA. In this role, she frequently helped plan various festivals, poojas, and satsangs. In addition, she started an event at the temple where Indian High School graduates were acknowledged for their achievement. Furthermore, she helped several Indian girls with the academic transition of moving from India to the U.S.

She is survived by her husband, Krish; her son and daughter-in-law Guha and Lauren; her son Ravi; her beloved grandson, Aari. She also leaves behind her sister, Nithya; extended family; and friends around the world.

Her kindness, wisdom, and strength will continue to guide all those who loved her. Though her presence will be deeply missed, the values she instilled and the love she gave remain everlasting. 

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