Community stalwart Vani Chetty will be sorely missed
At the core of Vani's being was her passion to foster and maintain relationships with her numerous friends and relatives.
TRIBUTE
September 3 was a dark day for the Port Shepstone community, and for the Chetty family in particular with the sudden death of Vani.
Vani was born on December 29, 1952 and died peacefully in a Pietermaritzburg hospital after lying in a deep coma for 10 days.
The extent of her popularity was evidenced by the outpouring of shock and grief from friends and relatives, both here and abroad.
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Vani was the eldest child (and only daughter) of the late Mr and Mrs V.M. Chetty.
She is survived by her brothers, Nithia, Bhupala, Sachi and Dayanand.
Following in the footsteps of her late father, Vani took up teaching as a career.
That career spanned nearly four decades.
RA Engar Primary, where she was a remedial education teacher, shaped her career and turned her into a model educator which earned her several accolades and awards over the years.
After taking early retirement she traveled the world, often taking groups of relatives and friends on tours to South America, the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and India.
However, the calling to help children with learning disabilities was too great to resist.
She taught in New Zealand and Dubai for several years before settling in London where she taught for another eight years.
She returned to South Africa in 2012 and settled in Pietermaritzburg with her youngest brother.
At the core of Vani’s being was her passion to foster and maintain relationships with her numerous friends and relatives.
She made certain that she maintained contact with everyone who mattered to her.
She recently worked tirelessly with old school friends in Port Shepstone to organise a class reunion.
That occasion, towards the end of last year, was a highlight of her life.
Her late father, a legendary educator and community leader in his own right, was her idol.
His leadership of the Port Shepstone and District Andhra Sabha inspired her to become involved in the Sabha’s work. and she served as chairman of the Stree Sungam wing of the Sabha in the 80s.
She loved nature and all things beautiful. She enjoyed gardening and the environment, always tending to her garden in her spare time.
Her culinary skills often drew people back for a second visit.
Vani’s life journey has been a tapestry of love, goodwill, adventure and achievements.
She experienced a full and richly rewarding life, one that should be celebrated and remembered.
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