Greatly Loved. deeply missed

Radhekrishna dear Maitreyi! Miss you so much and you will always be in our hearts. Lots of prayers to kitta to give all of us and your family to the strength to bear your loss.

Today- December 12, 2021 - marks the 47th birth anniversary of Smt. Maitreyi Krishnaswamy. We all sadly and badly miss such a humble and noble soul who served humanity with utmost passion and dedication. Maitreyi turned Mercer Island into a Paradise of Pacific Northwest of the U. S  by giving out her best. May be she had gone to heaven to launch the latest version of FiOS there and be reborn and come back to MIYCS to restart her unfinished agenda for the welfare of all. Viva, Maitreyi .

One year has flown away in a jiffy but Maitreyi will continue to inspire many for many generations. Mercer Island without Maitreyi Krishnaswamy is like Seattle without Space Needle Tower, New York without Statue of Liberty, London without Big Ben, Paris without Eiffel Tower,  Sydney without Opera House, Mumbai without Marine Drive & Chennai without Marina Beach. I still can't recover from the loss of such a nice person who was to me like a daughter . Viva, Maitreyi

It's hard to believe it's been a year. My memory of Maitreyi is as fresh as ever, my sadness at her leaving us, as heavy. Sending you love and hugs. Your smile will light up the world always.

Mai

I look up, I gaze at the sky above
I follow the flight of pure, white doves
I feel her strength, her warm, pure love

I find amidst the light of stars
the songs of birds
And memories of hours

When my brightest friend spoke of life and more
Vibrant and brave to her core

Is it a blazing star across the sky tonight?
The Milky Way? Or a meteorite?
Who shines in incandescent light?
Swathed in gold in an autumn twilight

Our Maiyetri smiles, our world is aglow
Her joy we once knew
And that is all we need to know.

Dear Maitreyi you are an angel who walked the earth and gave so much joy to Arunaka Gayathri and Sai anna. Continue to shower your love on your family as you are always with them in spirit, and infact didn’t separate at all. Love Ranjini

It is not easy to write a tribute to a child. She was like a gentle flower at one time and royal princess at another. Maitreyi, we never had much time with each other but I watched with pride as you girls grew up together, blossomed into accomplished young women. Truly amazed at your accomplishments and wonderful personality as others describe you. Raja tells me your birth date is around the corner. You will be missed. My heart goes out to those you leave behind. Suresh, your kids, your parents and your sister. Our words are not consolation enough. May your beautiful soul rest in Krishna. Indumati Raman

MARVELOUS MAITREYI
BY Lakshman Sundar, Vashi, New Mumbai

The Lamp Has Gone
The Light Has Gone
The Lighthouse Has Gone
The Lodestar Has Gone
The Luster Has Gone
The Luminosity Has Gone
The Laughter Has Gone
The Liveliness Has Gone
The Linchpin Has Gone
The Laudable Lady Has Gone
The Lioness Has Gone
The Leonine Figure Has Gone
The Lissome( Agile, Nimble & Active) Persona Has Gone
The Leader Of Verizon’s FiOS TV Has Gone
The Lamborghini of The Corporate World Known For 
Speed, Swiftness & spiffiness Has Gone 

But Maitreyi’s Rich Legacies Will Live On To Inspire
For Generations To Come 
Viva , Maitreyi Krishnaswamy

MAITREYI STANDS FOR

M ARVELOUS
A  FFABLE
I   NDUSTRIOUS
T  RAIL-BLAZING
R  EMARKABLE
E  NTHUSIASTIC
Y OUNG
I NDIAN AMERICAN


I was dazed, dismayed, distressed, dumbfounded, flabbergasted, stunned, stupefied to hear the sad news of our Maitreyi ‘s sudden and untimely demise. The ferocious hands of fate had plucked away a blooming flower from our midst. If given some more years, Maitreyi would have become another Indra Nooyi for she possessed all virtues of a good leader: Talent, Tenacity & Boundless Passion. She personified grace, grit, gentleness, generosity and grand vision.

I recall with fondness when she hosted me during my Newyork visits. She was always like my daughter . Every December 12th I used to greet her first 
on her birthday. I know not whom I will greet this December 12th. 

Perhaps the heaven is in a flux and so the Gods have urgently called her to set right.
Perhaps heaven needs a FiOS TV expert from earth and that is why she went in a hurry.
Or has she gone to launch her own innovative FiLOS ( FiberLess Optic Service TV to connect All planets from heaven ? NASA will soon find it out.

In 2018 , I came on Alki Beach (across Elliot Bay in West Seattle ) from where you can enjoy the Stunning and the spectacular view of the skyline of Down Town Seattle. On the beach stands a small Statue of Liberty ( Replica of the one in Liberty Island in New York). Nearby there should be One imposing statue built in honor of our Maitreyi with the following words emblazoned on it

HERE CAME A COURAGEOUS LADY CALLED MAITREYI KRISHNASWAMY
FROM MUMBAI, INDIA WENT FIRST TO MANHATTAN, NEW YORK AND THEN MOVED TO MERCER ISLAND, SEATTLE FROM WHERE SHE IMMENSELY CONTRIBUTED I TO ENRICH THE CITY’S LIFE IN MANY ASPECTS. SHE CAME FOR PEACE & PROGRESS FOR ALL MANKIND. AFTER WAGING A VALIANT BATTLE , MAITRREYI SUCCUMED TO CANCER ON OCTOBER 6, 2020. SHE IS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL THOSE WHO WANT TO SUCCEED BY SHEER DINT OF HARDWORK & PERSEVERENCE.


This writer is a close family friend of The Sayeerams , Maitreyi 's parents who is a PR& Media Consultant & a Freelance Journalist in New Mumbai

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Maitreyi. We will always remember you fondly- from your house warming Pooja in Boston to the numerous times our families met over the years. Our deepest condolences to Suresh, Divya, Ashwin, and other family members.

Maitreyi you are a carbon copy of my dear friend Arunaka - articulate and intelligent along with talent, I am sure Krishna loves you so much he wanted you with him as a instrument of peace, so he will give you a stronger new body to come serve again. While you are in the green room now changing your dress, everyone misses you, but your spirit is one with Arunaka Sai Anna, Gayathri and your dear family - all they have to do is look within and you are part of them forever. Love and many mantrams for your next birth into a holy family with your heart overflowing with love and devotion from early childhood onwards, just as you did this time around. Praying for strength for the dear children. Ranjini

As I know her, Maitreyi was one of the most Gracious, Graceful, Dignified, Courageous & Loving human beings one could meet.

Even in our first meeting in Chennai, she touched a deep chord in my heart and we had conversations over a range of subjects and then exchanged mails too.

She battled with cancer as a brave warrior and that shows her Inner Spiritual Strength.

She is resting with the Almighty now and will forever remain in our hearts as our dearest and most lovable Maitreyi.

- Akhila Srinivasan, a dear friend of Smt.Aruna Sairam

We were saddened to hear the death of Mythrei who was still young and full of life. It was shocking and devastating for all of us. Despite her very active life Mythrei was always cheerful and enjoyed being with family and friends. Mythrei had a very successful career both at Verizon and Amazon . She was a devoted wife to my cousin Suresh and affectionate mother to Divya and Ashwin. There is little we can say that will comfort Mythrei’s family in this hour of bereavement. Please accept our deepest sympathies and may the bereaved family find solace in the inspiring memories of the exemplary life of Mythrei.

Maitreyi in Sanskrit means “the friendly one”. She was a living embodiment of her name. She lived up to her name. She touched & befriended many in her short walk of life.
Our first impression of her when she joined our family was she is a classy, cultured girl with positive energy and full of life.
She came into our lives as a beautiful scented flower and spread the aroma with her electrifying smile, warm affection. Whiff of wind took her away too soon.
Met her two years ago, never in our wildest dream thought that we would never see her again. Wish we had met many more times. Will cherish the memories. We will miss her phone calls and messages.
Will pray to Lord to give her soul Moksha and Sadgathi.
Prayers and love to Suresh , Divya and Ashwin.

We are deeply saddened by the all-too-early passing of Maitreyi. She was a warm, kind, and vivacious soul who faced her health challenges with exemplary grace and courage. She is cherished by all who knew her and will continue to live on in their hearts.

Our hearts go out to you dear Suresh, your two wonderful children, and your family. Our heartfelt condolences.

God will undoubtedly give you the strength to face this loss in the fullness of time. Maitreyi will make sure of it — she is with God now.

May She Rest In Peace.
Om Shanti.

With love,
Anjna & Avinash

Deeply shocked and saddened to hear the news! I have good memories of meeting Maitreyi at her house not too long after she moved to Mercer Island where she treated me to a delicious Lebanese lunch that she had prepared. We had a long and lively conversation on various topics including dementia, music and theater and I appreciated her warmth, caring nature and foresight. May her soul attain Moksha. My heartfelt condolences to Suresh and her family.

Maitreyi, I met you only a handful of times, alas, but your radiance, warmth, and laughter struck a chord. I know so many people connected with TIFR and scattered all over the world who have been touched by you and are feeling your loss terribly. My deepest condolences to Suresh, Divya and Ashwin, Maitreyi's parents, and of course dear Uncle and Aunty. I know her memory and love will keep you strong and she will be with you always.

In this world, there are very few people about whom nobody will have a single negative word or thought. Maitreyi was one of them. When I think of her, I remember her laugh and smile, which were there no matter what she was going through, her warmth and caring, which never wavered even as she endured one medical crisis after another, her sense of fun, her absolute engagement with life, her ability to connect with everybody. Today, when everybody seems to be a superwoman, Mai was the true epitome of one, rising head and shoulders above everyone. She never spoke about her job, but apparently it was a high-powered one. She was so humble and so normal, precious qualities that are in such short supply these days.

When she found out that I had cancer, she didn't resort to platitudes. She went the extra mile - many extra miles - which is what she did for everyone. I received in the mail, one day, a beautiful coffee mug engraved all over with messages of love, hope and encouragement, and a book. That is the mug I use every day, sipping my coffee along with thoughts of my beautiful friend. Mai and her mother came to visit me in Madras, setting time aside from a hectic schedule, to share her experience of her surgery and telling me what to look out for.

Aruna, Sairam, Suresh, Divya, Ashwin and Gayathri, our heart-felt condolences.

Life is so unfair, but I suppose it is not for us to question how and why things like this happen. The best I can do is to try to live like her, with warmth, love and laughter. My dearest Mai, I know that wherever you are now is a brighter happier place, because you are there.

When I stare at the screen to start writing a note, words fail me. I am not able to come to terms with what has happened at all.

I am not in a position to relegate Mai to a mere set of memories yet - she is still around. I am not in a position to say that she is in a better place - I cannot accept that. I am not of a mindset to say that I am fortunate to have known her - we have literally grown up together and neither am I in a position to recall her attributes - I am not ready to accept her as a mere set of memories.

I am angry and deeply disappointed with God to have taken her away from us. I really dont think this is fair to her and to us. It is unfair to her husband, kids, her parents, her sibling, her cousins and all those who love her that she was so prematurely taken away from us and the opportunity for us to spend more cherished moments with her snatched away...

I am yet to come to terms with this... apologies for the rant.

I have not know Mai very long but the time we spent together was special. I loved her wonderful spirit, her warmth, her sense of humor, and her positivity about her battle with cancer. She was one of a kind. I am so glad that in this life we did get to connect Mai. My thoughts are with Suresh, your sweet kids, your parents and your sister. Sending them love and immense strength to bear this loss. May you rest in peace sweet Mai. Until we meet again.

Being school friends I have many different memories of dearest Maitreyi, always strong, always smiling, one of the few girls who I can’t remember looking sad or crying at any point in time. My strongest memory of her is doing our school play ‘Shakuntala’ where she plays the role of my father. In this scene she is supposed to be very angry and shout at me for being disobedient, but the way she jumped back, enacting her role, delivering her lines trying to show anger and yet all I could see were her mischievous eyes twinkling and daring me to laugh, which I did, as in the middle of this very serious scene, I burst out laughing and along with me the audience!

Living in different continents it wasn’t too easy for us to stay in touch but It’s still hard to believe that I will never get to see her again. I am sure she would be making the heavens laugh now!

Radhekrishna Maithreyi✌you will be so missed dear. From the first time we met in Bombay we shared glorious and fond memories. You always remind of a fresh blossomed Jasmine. Yes indeed kitta needed you to be with him than us I guess. Cannot forget we all singing 'hey Gaavorey...".
You were so spontaneously helpful when Sneha came to stay during hurricane Sandy. So embracing and affectionate even when i called you last minute during those late hours to pick her up.
Dancing during all Bhajans and finally during Malini wedding. Now all that have become fond memories. We all pray for your atma to be with Our Gurunathar in peace. Love you so much dear. Radhekrishna✌Ravi, Daya, Kishore, Sneha and Ashif from our Guruji Family.

We are so sorry to hear that after all efforts to win the battle with cancer, Maitreyi passed away at such a young age. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. Please accept our deepest sympathies.

Chandran and Usha
St Petersurg,,FL

Maitreyi was a dear friend whose memory will always inspire me. I treasure the memories of her kind generosity and gentle strength. I will miss her good natured insights into life. I will be guided by her ability to be positive in the face of difficulty.

When my children joined Ashwin’s school in New York, Maitreyi went to great lengths to introduce us to other families at school whom she thought we would enjoy meeting. Even though she was working a very busy job and raising young children, she made it a point to organize dinners for us to meet others at the school. When our house was being renovated and we needed a place to stay, she offered the use of her empty apartment – all while battling illness and getting oriented to a new city. Her generosity and kindness in thinking of others even while she had so much to think about in her own life shows the tremendous strength with which she lived her life. She would rarely speak about her troubles, and did not let her illness get in the way of living life to the full.

Maitreyi and I would often chat about balancing the multiple, and sometimes contradictory, expectations of the world around us. She would readily share her insights into our day to day lives. She pointed out that our sons had lost the exact same teeth at the exact same time, and more remarkable than the co-incidence was the fact that Maitreyi slowed down and caught this happening in the busy-ness of our lives.

One of Maitreyi’s deepest strengths was her ability to be positive. Her matter-of-fact, positive approach to her tragic illness stands out in the minds of everyone who knew her. I don’t know how she managed this, but it was among her deepest qualities, and will help us in our grief. 

Dear friend, your soul has reached God and may you rest in peace. Om Shanti.

Dearest Mai - Your warmth, affection, and positive attitude toward life will always remain in our hearts and memories forever. We have so many fond memories as neighbors in 233 East watching our kids grow up together that we will always cherish. Your life is an inspiration for all of us.

Our deepest condolences to Suresh, Divya, Ashwin, and other family members.

They say God takes the ones he loves the most, first. Rest in peace, sweet friend.

Your friends,
Suparna and Abhishek

I can't question why you aren't with us. Your journey is your own... But I am very fortunate that you chose to make me a part of your journey.

Right from when you stepped into my life to make sure I was right for your beloved younger sister, my life has been enriched with innumerable beautiful memories, experiences, your eternal positivity and zest for life and your unconditional love and support.

While we can't see you any more in the flesh, we see you every where in our lives and will for ever treasure every moment.

Until we meet again..

Love you for ever and always Mai
Gai and Sai

No language has adequate adjectives to describe Mai. Being with this unique, brave, kind, strong and courageous person was liking being in the brightest light . Her energy and positivity always shined through like a beacon . In the span of 4 short years she safely navigated her family to a safer shore, worked harder than most people need to in order to support her family, raised her children and coped with her health challenges. To me she was truly inspirational and I was blessed to know her and learn so much. There cannot be a time when she will not be missed for she represented the best from life . I love you Mai. I was privileged to know you. And I am sure that you will continue to navigate your family’s paths going forward from the Divine world you now are a part of . Thank you for being in my life ❤️

Maiyetri ❤️
My brilliant, kind and courageous friend.
You fought bravely till the end.
Seattle is dark without you. I will miss you wt all my heart.
We met in 2016, both of us new to Mercer Island.
Mai filled our friendship with love, wisdom and a genuine concern.
She was a my little bit of ‘desi home’ in this land far away from our beginnings.
Our families bonded and we had lovely hours together.
Mai was unique in that she celebrated every beautiful bit of life, her relationships, her work, her dynamism.
I will remember all our cosy chats and your warm advice.
We will cherish every little bit of you dear Mai and we hope that our families continue to bond over the years...
All our love, our prayers to Mai’s parents, Suresh, Divya, Ashwin and Gai.
Privileged to be a part of your life.

Zeinab, Sohail and Mustafa.

Mai is a beautiful soul who fought life’s challenges with so much courage and optimism. I am very grateful for the time we had together. We became neighbors in New York and little did I realize how wonderful a friendship we would build in a short 5yrs. Mai lives on in our midst through her precious children Diya and Ashu. Heartfelt prayers to Mai’s parents and Suresh. We are all here for you.

The news of Maitreyi’s passing came to us as unexpected terrible news. We have lost a dear friend too soon.

We will miss her warmth, affection, positivity, indomitable spirit and support she always shared and exuded even though she was fighting her battles with illness that afflicted and ultimately took her from us.

Though she is no longer with us she will remain with us in thoughts and spirit.

While it is tough for all those she touched to reconcile with this early exit, especially her family and near and dear… we can honor and remember her by trying to incorporate what she stood for and how she acted in our own lives.

We pray for the journey of her soul and for the family to have the strength to deal with this most difficult loss.

Mai, our journey started when I got married and met one of Neeraj’s best friends Suresh. While the connection between Suresh and Neeraj was already established (building friends we used to joke), we began our friendship from then onwards.

Even though we did not meet often because of being in different continents/countries, whenever we met, we chatted and connected instantly. We shared a great bond and always felt so close to each other. You always went the extra mile to meet us- you really believed in nurturing relationships and had a generous heart. Although you started as my husband’s friend’s wife, you became my close friend.

I still remember very fondly our first trip as couples together to an outlet mall in New England, such fond memories of us shopping together while our husbands were passive participants.

After that we met several times whenever we came to Boston

I will always cherish your visit to us in Canada in the mid-2000s when both our girls were toddlers still in strollers.

When you moved to New York, and we were in Dubai, we visited you every few years on our visits to North America and had wonderful times catching up and enjoying your warmth and affection. We always took off from where we left.

When we came back to Canada in 2016, you were so happy and excited we had moved closer to you. It was around the same time when you moved to Seattle, we had a conversation about both our girls adapting to a new place in their teens.

I still have a message from you telling us to visit you in Seattle in our holidays as you were back to living in a house now. I wish we had visited. I did not realize you would be gone so soon my dear friend.

You have an incredibly special place in my heart. The memories we have had together are cherished and I will always remember your beautiful smile and bubbling personality.

Whom the Gods love, they take away early. We miss you Maitreyi. Though we always knew you as Gayatri's elder sister, you are someone who will always be remembered for your kind nature, poise and ever smiling face. God has a beautiful angel in heaven now. We will always remember the way you strongly fought your battle with so much resilience, positivity and grace. You will forever live in our hearts and minds. We fondly remember you at Gayatri's wedding in Pondicherry where you were so hospitable and kind with your words. We also remember you as our jolly-good college senior, and for some of us an excellent school senior as well.

On behalf of Gaya's entire college gang, we send you our love and light as you make your onward journey to the next world. We wish things could have been different, but God in His infinite wisdom took you home.

Till we all meet again

With love,
Gayatris College Friends

Maitreyi and I met almost every evening at a park in Cambridge with our little toddlers. She was an incredibly warm and gracious person and it felt so special for us to connect as friends given that our families had cherished friendships going back two generations. I'm grateful for the beautiful memories of those years. I feel deeply saddened by this news and want to convey my deepest condolences to Aruna aunty, Sairam uncle, Gayatri, Suresh, Divya, Ashwin, and other family members. Sending my prayers and healing thoughts to all of you.

You went from being my wife’s friend (the infamous G11) to becoming our family friend and then my friend. And then when I told you about my startup based on diversity and inclusion (before it was all the rage) you became my first patron client. You championed me, taught me, listened to me and trusted me in all of our work endeavors. But most importantly, you were my sincere and authentic friend who was always curious and caring about people around her. Will always think of you. Your husband and kids will always have a dear place in my wife’s and my heart. We miss you so much, Mai. Spread your magic up there.

"I'd like to be on the cover of Time,"
She said.
Who knew she'd make a book of it?
"I love you all, "
She said.
Who knew we'd love her more?
"If I must die, weep not, "
She said.
"For not in my grave, do I lie dead."
She is in the morning hush,
Watching, as we rush
To her room, her car...
"I am not there,"
She repeats, with a sigh.
"I am not there, for I did not die. "

My dearest Mai, I wish I wrote you a poem in different circumstances. But, I know you can hear me now. Know, that I will always remember your generous heart, and constant faith. But, I promise to do so only until we meet again.

My Sister

Honest, optimistic, courageous and strong
Always one to tackle problems head on when they came along
Whether it was family, friends, work colleagues or community
Took care of each one of them with so much generosity
If only we could go back in time and share with you that beauty

My mind goes back to shared childhood memories over the years
All of the laughter and the tears
The four of us, with an unshakeable bond so tight
Thought we could change every wrong and make it right,
But this one we just could not fight

Rest in sleep, big sister, you are forever in our heart
Maybe of His overall design, this is just one part
It is clear as we gather here today, there's no ending to your story
The next chapter in your journey has just begun, full of grace and glory

Thr picture on this page is a picture I found a couple of days ago while Googling you (I still haven't closed those tabs), this picture is how I want to remember you: gorgeous, successful, smart, and what not! The woman who had it all. The woman I aspired to be. The woman who literally took the time out and volunteered to mentor the starry-eyed 22 year old I was. But life is full of (sometimes heartbreaking) surprises and definitely doesn't go as planned. Today, I lost a role model to cancer. I have so many questions, first of all, why you of all people? I will never know and I have to accept that. I really wish I could have taken some of your pain away, Mai Aunty. Even if it meant I would have to share it with you, I would do it in a heartbeat. It's too late for that so I'm just going to focus on all the memories you have given me to cherish (I wouldn't know how to tell time if you hadn't taught me when I was 5 haha). I'm blessed to have Divya and Ashwin in my life, blessed to have been mentored and loved by you, blessed to have cultivated such beautiful relationships being thousands of miles away. And all of this wouldn't have been possible if not for you. Thank you for everything ❤️

We have been so lucky to have Mai in our lives. Even as a child, it was clear that she was a special person. She was always a leader, whether of the “gang of four” growing up, or in her professional and community work later. Over the years, we always loved spending time with Maitreyi, with her emotional insight and ability to connect, as well as her intelligence and courage. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, Mai was able to put family first, while continuing to be passionate about making a difference to her broader community and world. The way she led her life is an inspiration to us all.

We love you Mai, and you will always be with us and the family.

Shanker and Karen

It is with heavy hearts that the MIYFS Foundation Board and staff pay tribute to Mai Krishnaswamy, our fellow board member and friend. Mai passed away on October 6 after a long illness. We will miss her and her vibrant contributions to our board and our community immensely.

Mai joined the MIYFS Foundation Board in 2018, making an immediate and profound impact within the organization, serving as the co-chair of the Strategic Marketing Committee, an indispensable member of the Breakfast Committee and as Vice President of the Board. She brought a wealth of professional expertise from the private sector, including a strong skill set in marketing and organizational management. Mai was a visionary, who strove to analyze every detail of our organization and succeeded in improving the processes by which we would clearly and broadly communicate the value of MIYFS essential services to our community. She always elevated discussions beyond the particular issue at hand to develop strategic goals and concrete steps to improve every aspect of our performance. Mai started by recruiting professionals to create (for free) a modernized Foundation website and enhancing our social media presence. She encouraged the Board to hire and develop professional staff, a prescient pre-COVID goal that allowed us to respond nimbly once the pandemic hit. Mai was tireless and continued to offer valuable input to our Board until her final hospitalization.

Mai was much more than a talented professional. She was the consummate colleague, well known to sit back in a meeting and listen. Once everyone else had spoken, she integrated the best of suggestions into a coherent path forward, always injecting warmth, compassion and humor and deflecting credit for herself by appreciating the contributions of others. 

Mai brought people together in every realm. She hosted celebratory luncheons and exuded joy in sharing the rich traditions of her Indian heritage. She extended friendship to new neighbors and spread a message of equity and inclusiveness in all her endeavors. Mai appreciated beauty in all things – art, flowers, music, dancing, a catching graphic -- and reveled in sharing beautiful things with her friends.

We extend sympathy to her husband, Suresh; children Divya and Ashwin, as well as her parents, sister and extended family. Our loss is immeasurable, but her legacy lives in our hearts, inspiring us to see clearly, act decisively and be kind in all that we do.

Sincerely,

The MIYFS Foundation Board of Directors & Staff