Indra Malani

Indra Malani, of Falls Church and Springfield, VA passed away recently of natural causes.

Indra was born In British India in 1928. She was one of eight children. Indra and her family moved to Karachi and settled but departed in the “Freedom at Midnight march” for India some years thereafter when Karachi became part of Pakistan: Indra completed her undergraduate education at Baroda University and left for the United States on a reverse Fulbright Scholarship. She studied at Oklahoma State University, received a master’s in arts in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and completed doctoral course work at the University of Pennsylvania.

Indra married and soon after, immigrated to Washington, D.C. metro area where she settled in Falls Church, VA. It was in Falls Church, that she began to build a life and family, together with her husband and two children Indra was an exemplary mother and human being. She embodied the best of qualities: unconditional love, strength of spirit, and an unending generosity that could be seen in her care for her husband, children, and grandchildren entire family and countless beloved neighbors. She served as a female role model for many in her extended family who saw what a pioneering and adventurous life as an Indian-American from could be the 1940s to the 2020s.

She volunteered as PTSA president at Whittier Junior High School and at Falls Church High School. Indra worked full-time at the National Association of Social Workers thereafter. Indra moved to Greenspring Retirement community in Springfield, VA in 2004, where she lived independently for 21 years. She was active member of the Greenspring Village community, participating in volunteer activities and clubs. Indra shared her love for international cuisine with the community by teaching Indian cooking classes and sharing her distinctive recipes in the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County Adult Education programs for over 27 years. She also enjoyed a passion for social activities and group water aerobics classes traveling around the world with them on cruises and following them to Greenspring Village where they continued their exercise regime and friendship.

Indra was a devotee of the Vedanta Society. She was social, big hearted, and radiated warmth. She accepted everyone with an open heart, open arms, and a perpetual smile. She had immense passion for her family, spiritual work, community, and the natural world.

Her long life is celebrated by her family and countless others in her wide community network who loved her deeply. The family also thanks her Greenspring Village community, her doctors, and her friends for their support. The family deeply appreciates your support during this difficult time and asks that you make contributions to the memorial fund of your choice in lieu of flowers and contribute by sharing memories of our beloved Indra on our memorial website.