Damayanti Rani Chinniah (nee Anketell)

Born October 6, 1940 died August 5, 2022

Damayanti Rani Chinniah passed away peacefully on Friday, August 5th 2022 at age 81 at home surrounded by her family.  She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Bennet Chinniah, her sons David Chinniah and wife Renuka, Tim Chinniah and wife Sharla and grandchildren Analise and Joshua. She is the beloved sister of the late Balen Anketell and late wife Eva and surviving siblings, Drs. Inpam Arulanantham and husband Karunyan, Dr. Arul Anketell and wife Ranji, Suren Anketell and wife Christine and Gnane Anketell and wife Chandra.

Damayanti was born on October 6th, 1940 in Sri Lanka and was the daughter of the late Ernest Balasingham and Thapomani Anketell. Her mother passed away when she was only 2 months old. Her father remarried the late Susan Anketell whom she knew as her mother.

Damayanti was a dedicated and beloved high school science and scripture teacher at Methodist College in Sri Lanka and after immigrating with her family to the U.S. in 1984, taught at a Jr. High school for a limited time and pre-school for several years. She was loved by her students until she retired. She was known and admired for her organizational skills and resolve to live simply by her faith in God and values. She was also a voluntary Sunday school teacher and was involved with her local church, Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, California along with her husband Bennet.

Damayanti loved music and singing and actively participated in choirs and singing events. She and her husband, Bennet moved to live with her younger son Tim and family in Maryland in January 2022 as it became increasingly difficult for her and Bennet to live independently due to age and ailments.

She had suffered from dementia over the last decade of her life but continued to have a love of singing and showed an amazing ability to remember the words of hymns and other songs despite her advanced dementia. She always lit up the room with her singing and authentic spirit.

She will be definitely missed by all close to her.