Kalpna Kumar Obituary

Kalpna Kumar, age 64, passed away peacefully on July 17th, 2025, surrounded by friends and family at the Capital Health Regional Medical Center in Trenton, NJ. Her funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 23rd, 2025, at the Holy Cross Crematory followed by a Celebration of Life at Rasoi III. Kalpna was a radiant light in the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her-warm, thoughtful, and endlessly generous in spirit.

Born on March 23, 1961, in Madhubhani, India, to Raj Kumar Mahaseth and Savitri Devi, she was the third of six siblings. Kalpna loved when the family took trips to the mountains and she developed a lifelong love of nature..

In July 1981, she married her lifelong partner, Pankaj Kumar, beginning a new chapter that would bring both profound joys and challenges. Together, they welcomed their two children, Sunny and Simmy. Kalpna pursued her passion for understanding the human mind, earning her bachelor's and master's degree in psychology.

In 1988, they made the courageous move to the United States, building a new life in Illinois. The family moved to New Jersey in 1997. In NJ, Kalpna and Pankaj built a beautiful community of friends. Together with their friends, they celebrated holidays, gathered for dinners, went for walks, planted gardens, and taught one another to cook new dishes.

In recent years, Kalpna found fulfillment in her work as a home health caretaker, a role that reflected her natural compassion, patience, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others. Kalpna loved ritual and tradition: in her spiritual practices, in the way she celebrated those she loved, and in play. Every day, she and Pankaj sat down together to practice their daily tradition: solving the Wordle puzzle over tea or coffee.

Kaplna loved to express herself through the way she dressed. She was a beauty- with her signature hued lip, her long lovely nose, and the clothes and jewelry she always selected with such care. Still, her greatest expression of love was through food. She delighted in cooking, using the fruits and vegetables from her cherished garden-a space she nurtured with devotion and joy and protected from the groundhog living in the backyard. Mealtime was sacred, not for the dishes alone, but for the connection it fostered among those gathered around her table for chai, laughter, and conversation. Kalpna loved to begin her day with yoga and meditation, which gave her a sense of peace and clarity.

Kalpna will be remembered for her insatiable curiosity. She asked questions not just to know, but to understand, to learn, and to grow. This spirit led her to embrace new experiences, from cross-country skiing and sewing her own clothes to evolving her parenting with openness and reflection. She will be remembered for her kindness and patience. She was remarkable in her ability to give grace to others. Kalpna gave her full attention to the person in front of her. When you spoke to Kalpna, you felt like the only person in the room. Above all, it is her radiant smile, infectious laughter, and welcoming warm bear hugs that will remain etched in our hearts-she was most vibrant when she was surrounded by her family, and especially when she was with her beloved grandchildren, Kiaan and Sophie.

She is survived by her immediate family, Pankaj (spouse), Simmy (daughter), Sunny (son), and Kavita (daughter-in-law) - In addition to siblings, extended family, chosen family, and friends who all love her.

Funeral services for Kalpna Kumar will take place Wednesday, July 23, 2025 from 11am-1pm at Holy Cross Burial Park & Mausoleum (Crematory). Holy Cross Crematory is located at 840 Cranbury South River Road in East Brunswick, NJ.

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