In Memoriam: Longtime Fair Havenite, Vatsala Muralidhara, 86

Longtime Fair Havenite, journalist, mom, Vatsala Muralidhara, passed away at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank on Thursday evening, Aug. 3. She was 86.

“Her home in Fair Haven was full of colorful art, her extensive collection of elephant figurines, and the smell of gourmet cooking. She was a prodigious reader and also loved traveling in Europe and visiting museums. Despite her many years in this country, Vatsala had a fierce love for the country of her birth. She delighted in language and wordplay, and published crossword puzzles that she had constructed. She was keenly curious, a devoted wife and mother, and had bookshelves full of science books and memoirs. Vatsala was unafraid of asking questions and getting to the heart of things. We will miss her engaging mind and
her open-hearted approach to life.”
Loved ones of Vatsala Muralidhara in her obituary

Born in Karachi, British India, on Aug. 10, 1936, the daughter of a government scientist, Vatsala lived throughout India during her childhood. She attended Catholic secondary schools and then continued her studies at Delhi University, where she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in zoology and became a journalist.

After her work as a journalist, Vatsala married Ranya, an organic chemist, in 1967, and immigrated to the United States. She settled first in Skaneateles, NY and then moved to New Jersey, where she lived for more than 50 years.

Vatsala was predeceased by: her father and mother, P.R. and Rhadabai Krishna Rao; her brother, Subhash Rao; her sister, Sarala Murthi.

She is survived by: her husband, Ranya; her son, Apoorva; her daughter, Divya, and their spouses, Bindu and Edward, respectively; her grandson, Santosh; and her brother, Prakash Rao.

A private service was held.

— Edited obituary prepared by family via Thompson Funeral Home