Sheela J. Kalyani

Sheela Kalyani, 76, of Anaheim CA, passed away surrounded by friends and family on January 31st, 2021, after a hard-fought battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Sheela was born on April 24, 1944 in Gujarat, India, where she spent most of her early life. In 1966 she married Jitendra, her loving husband of over fifty-four years. The following year she emigrated to Morgantown WV, where she began earning her master’s degree in special education (completed in 1989). 

Their first child, Anjali, was born in Pittsburgh PA; their second, Amish, in Pocatello ID, where they lived for forty-five years. Sheela lived the last three years of her life in Anaheim CA, near her two granddaughters, Aniya and Asha. Sheela was a dedicated mother and devoted grandmother.

Sheela was humble, loving, upbeat and positive. Her family was her priority, but she cared for many others ahead of herself. She dedicated more than 20 years of volunteer service as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for neglected and abused children.

Sheela could often be found sewing, knitting, embroidering, cooking, or planning dinner parties for seventy. Her baklava was requested by friends and family all over the world.

Sheela was preceded in death by her father and her mother in India. She is survived by her husband Jitendra, daughter Anjali, son Amish, and two granddaughters Aniya and Asha. She is also survived by a sister and two brothers.

We will miss her greatly. The hole left by her absence will be impossible to fill.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Sheela’s name to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/ways-to-give/donate-now).