Aged 80, left her loved ones peacefully on 21 May 2020, at Kenner, Louisiana, USA
Maria Rao had a love for life, family, and God.
Endearing smile, generous and loving. A gentle soul, compassionate, loved children. Helpful and comforting. Smiled through pain.
Inspiring personality. Hard-working, entrepreneurial, knowledge-oriented, intelligent and wise.
An unfaltering spirit, deeply religious, spiritual and well-versed in Indian culture yet open-minded.
An incredible cook, gardener, painter, herbalist, and poet.
Born of emigrants from India in early 1920s, lived through WW2 Malaya, a teacher, until she married Patrick Rao in Dec 14, 1957. He succumbed to cancer in 2005.
She migrated to USA, cared by her daughter, Jacqueline, in the suburbs of New Orleans.
Shall Be Forever Loved & Cherished By
Children:
Jacqueline Rao-Harrington
Bobby Rao
Angela Rao-Mitchell
Their Spouses:
Kerry Fox [USA]
Vivien Thai Haa Ling [MALAYSIA]
Peter Mitchell [UK]
Grandchild :
Davinia Raphaela Thai Rao
Brother :
P. Rajagopal
Together with many relatives & friends.
She will be cremated in New Orleans on the 28th of May, 2020.
The family intends to bring her remains back to Malaysia for final memorial services in the near future.
They invite you to express your fond thoughts, memories, and condolences online at