Ramona N. Chakkaravarthi passed peacefully in the company of family, friends, and loved ones on May 25, 2026, at the age of 77. She was the daughter of Dr. M. Natarajan and N. Janaki. She was born in Chennai, India, and was the eldest of 5 siblings.
Ramona graduated at the top of her class from Madras Medical College and initially trained in orthopedic surgery before finding her love for internal medicine and geriatric care. While at Madras Medical College, she was part of a small group of women who paved the way for future female physicians in her school and in her country. She went on to work at the Wilmington VA as an attending physician and also helped to train residents and medical students from Jefferson Medical College as an Associate Faculty Professor. She loved working with and caring for elderly veterans and later headed the Compensation and Pension Department at the VA.
She loved her caring and faithful husband, Navajeevan, who passed away 2 years ago, her two children, Sumangala & Pritham, and her daughter-in-law, Dharshini. Most of all, she cherished her two grandbabies, Arya and Anish, who always made her smile and melted her heart.
Ramona loved to cook Indian food for her family and friends. Her hearty chicken biriyani always satisfied the appetite and warmed the soul. Guests were regularly welcomed into her house with love and delicious Indian cuisine and snacks. She loved returning to her childhood home and visiting with her 4 siblings in Chennai, India, whenever possible. Her favorite pastime was shopping for clothes and jewelry in the company of friends and family.
Ramona was a supportive and compassionate wife, mother, grandmother, and physician. She was exceptionally resilient and dealt with numerous medical maladies for decades, and always felt grateful for the blessed life she was given. Her devout spirituality aided in her overcoming both physical and emotional obstacles.
Ramona will be remembered as the strong-willed head of her household who used the adversities in her life to learn about the strengths, she didn’t know that she had, while dealing with fears that she didn’t know existed.
The Chakkaravarthi family would convey special gratitude to Dr. Bruce Hoffman, Dr. Hope Glavin, & Dr. Paul Marcotte for providing comprehensive and nurturing medical care that ensured a comfortable, long life for Ramona. The Chakkaravarthi family would also like to thank our 2 wonderful aides (Mimi & Julia) and all of the wonderful staff at Complete Care Brackenville for taking such good care over the past 4 years.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM at the Chandler Funeral Home, 7230 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, DE 19707.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Arthritis Foundation.
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