Mrs. Sarita Prabhu

Sarita Prabhu, 90, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Sarita Prabhu, an educator, loving mother and grandmother with a ceaseless drive to help people born from a bottomless well of empathy and compassion, passed away on November 10. Born in 1932 as an only child in Pune, she moved to Mumbai in the 1950’s. Using her dad as a role model, she committed herself to helping people. Sarita graduated with a distinction score from St. Hilda’s high school in Pune. Harnessing such a drive, she worked as nurse to directly help people as a general practitioner. Overcoming challenges was a tool for her as she practiced the adage, “Life is to be managed, not cured.” Sarita also worked as a health visitor for a large textile mill where she advised mill workers on family planning and followed her passion as a counsellor and educator. It was her professional calling. From a young age, Sarita enjoyed singing and cooking. In December 1954, her friend invited her to spend Christmas with her family. At the family gathering, she sang Kis Ne Apna Banake Mujko Wo Muskurane Sikha, (translation: Someone made me his, and taught me to smile) a song from the Bollywood movie “ Patita” (1953) which captured the heart and mind of Rathnakar Prabhu, her friend’s oldest brother. It was mutual love at first sight. Sarita and Rathnakar married in 1954, and she focused her attention on building and nourishing her own family and extended family including of loved nephews, and nieces. Their home in Mumbai served as a gathering place for friends and family in Mumbai. A niece commented that Aunty was resilient by choice, not by force. She noted that Auntie always knew when something was troubling her, and her lap became a refuge for a moment of refreshment. Sarita also immensely enjoyed patronizing Marathi theaters during her visits to Mumbai and eating at the restaurant, Highway Gomantak. From her compassion and love for people around her, she built a life filled with love and laughter. Sarita was kind and generous in spirt. Her friends bestowed the nickname, Mother Theresa for her endless caring. Married for 53 years, they never left each other’s side. They had two children, Rekha and Sunil. She immigrated to the United States in the early 2000’s. She practiced her loving touch in her cooking and horticulture. Whenever someone asked for a recipe, she freely shared them. When the doorbell rang announcing the arrival of friends and family, there would be a tasty curry ready to fill the stomachs while resting the feet for an evening of rest. The kitchen in Hoffman Estates became a mecca for love of culinary delights representing her goodness and intelligence. Following dinner, she settled in to watch her favorite Marathi serials. She practiced the adage that “a cheerful heart is the best medicine as a crushed spirit dried up the bone.” Her strength and wisdom coupled with her light, infectious laughter brought smiles to friends and guided her family forward with supported courage for any challenges that may fall. Beloved as a grandmother to four children (Angela, Sara, Ashwin, and Amita), she doted on each of them with kindness and endless love. She had a special bond with her daughter-in-law, Geeta Prabhu, whom she trusted and partnered with on many cooking projects. Her wisdom may best be encapsulated by the following quote. “Faith is to believe in what you do, not see. The reward is you see what you believed in.” Simple in thought, long on intelligence, Sarita Prabhu was the consummate partner and counselor to her family and friends. Sarita was predeceased by her husband, Rathnakar, and is survived by her daughter, Rekha (Rick) and son, Sunil (Geeta), her four grandchildren, Angela, Sara, Amita, Ashwin, and many nephews and nieces. She will be missed but will never be forgotten. You lived a wonderful, full life. Om Shanti. Family and friends will meet on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 for a visitation and service from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. at Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169. If you are unable to attend the visitation in person but would like to attend virtually please CLICK HERE and click on the WEBCASTING VIDEO link. The livestream will start at approximately 1:00 P.M. For further information please contact the Morizzo Funeral Directors at 847.752.6444. Arrangements entrusted to Morizzo Funeral Home and Cremation Services, at 2550 West Hassell Road, (Northeast corner at Barrington Road), Hoffman Estates, Illinois 60169.

Mrs. Sarita Prabhu

November 20, 1932 - November 10, 2023