A Tragic Announcement from Maureen

“We have been through difficult times at HOPE over the years, this is the absolute worst of them. On Sunday 11th October, in complete shock and devastation, we announced the untimely and sudden death of our beloved Geeta Venkadakrishnan. There will never be anyone like Geeta, this loss is almost impossible for us to put into words. She was the most special of human beings. Our hearts are absolutely breaking as we write this.

Geeta had been privately battling Covid 19 recently. We were respecting her request for privacy, we had been monitoring her progress while quietly praying for her speedy recovery. Up until the morning of Sunday 11th October Geeta was recovering and we were all hopeful, but as a result of a massive heart attack she tragically died that afternoon.

There are no words that can express our deep anguish and sorrow for the enormity of this tragic loss. Geeta has been a special friend to me for 21 years and a special friend to the HOPE family. To her HOPE family all over the world, many of you met her and loved her, everyone knew her big heart and will mourn her loss with us all. We are especially thinking of her beloved HOPE children who will be heartbroken.

Our deepest sympathy is with her husband Ravi and her son Harish, her family and her close friends, colleagues as they try to come to terms with such a tragic loss.”

Geeta dedicated her life to her work, her passion never wavered, she never stopped, so neither will we. We have to continue, in her memory. If you wish to honour Geeta you can donate to HOPE in her memory to help us continue her mission. Geeta, we will remember you and honour you in carrying on your work with your beloved children.

Send your Condolences

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Messages of Condolence

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Angela Kelly

Sending sad condolences to Geeta’s family and all her colleagues and the children in Kolkata on their irreplaceable loss. I hope the knowledge of all the good she did and her legacy will be of some comfort. May she rest in peace.

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Nadia Quinn Sciascia

I briefly met Geeta while volunteering in Kolkata, and I'm so happy to have met such a wonderfully beautiful soul. She was so dedicated to her work and clearly cared so much for the children in the care of the Hope Foundation. May her kind heart be a message for us all to continue the vital work she conducted so gracefully. Rest in peace Geeta, and love and wishes to her family and friends.

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Oliver McEvoy

It is hard to imagine how difficult Geeta's untimely death must be for her family particularly as it comes so soon after her mother's passing earlier this year. It will also be a great loss for her other family – the people to whom she showed such selfless commitment for over two decades.

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Helen & John Mullarkey

Sending our deepest sympathy to the family, friends and work colleagues on the passing of this amazing lady. Geeta was loved and cherished by so many and she will be greatly missed. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers at this sad time. Rest in peace dearest Geeta.

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Suzi von Mensenkampff

Geeta was truly a Divine ray of light that shone her warm and loving energy on everyone she stood for, I was always so inspired by her vibrant presence and love in action. I am so sad for everyone who is mourning her great loss, may she continue to shine her beautiful light, may her soul rest in peace.

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Kay Lynam

A wonderful lady with a heart of gold ,
RIP Geeta.
Your family are in my prayers at this very sad time.

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Yvette Lowery

In loving memory of a most dedicated, caring and inspiring lady. You will be sorely missed. May your memory live on in the work of HOPE and the children we help. A special soul taken far too early. Rest in Peace and sincere condolences to Geeta's family.

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Phil Mumby

A devastating loss for Geeta's family, friends, colleagues, HOPE children and all who knew her. Gone from us far too soon. A wonderful person with warmth, strength, humility and compassion who treated all in the same way, inspiring everyone she met. A bright shining light and a force for so much good. She leaves a wonderful legacy and such warm memories for so many. She would smile at our tears now and help us through our pain. Rest in peace Geeta.

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Lisa Tonge

I was so sad to hear that Geeta has passed away-such an amazing giving person. My thoughts are with her family and all in the HOPE foundation who will try and go on without her. Lisa xx

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Michael Mac Sweeney

My deepest sympathies to the Hope family. Geeta will live on through the influence and empowerment she enabled in so many people, young and old. Rest in Peace Geeta

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Susan McManamon

Thinking of you all in this saddest of times. What an amazing person – warm, straight-talking, caring, kind and fun too. Geeta will be so sorely missed but never forgotten. Sending much love from Ireland to her family and to her Hope family xxx

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Harmilap Grewal

The news is really shocking.. She was my classmate in Kendriya Vidhyalaya AFS Barrackpore.. seeing her in photo after 34 yrs and that too with this news is a shock for us.. HOPE we could get in touch earlier.. Rest in peace friend. Your friends Jasmina Soma Aditi Anurita Saswati Arghya Indranyl Anjan Amitabh Nandini everyone is shocked . God this is not fair ..this is no way to you make friends meet. RIP

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Noreen Watts Galway Ireland

My heartfelt sympathy to Geeta's family and to her HOPE family
What a tragic loss for everyone
Geeta was such a caring dedicated leader and a beautiful lady
Had the great privilege of meeting her n Kolkata n 2015
May she sleep in peace in the arms of angels ?☘???

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Rosy Roy

I think words will fall short if I start speaking about Geetadi.. I was fortunate enough for working very closely with her for 3.5years..I have learnt a lot which helped me to become a better person. I think a good Boss makes his men realize they have more ability than they think they have so that they consistently do better work than they thougt they could. You really make me understood that leadership is action, not position. You inspired me in every single way and pushed me to do good things..thank you for everything and salute for being a genuine leader. My condolences for Harsh, her entire family and the members of HOPE. You will stay in my heart forever.

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T k MALLIKA NAIR

I have known her since childhood from our Barrackpore days.Iam shocked n devastated to accept, my condolences to her husband, son Harish n all her family members n the hope family to bear the loss.May her soul rest in peace.? Pranam

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Amanda Hains

I am so sorry to hear that a Angel has left us so soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Regards

Amanda

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Martina and Pat Caffrey.

Our heartfelt sympathy to Getta's husband and Son on her passing. Also to the whole of the HOPE family who will miss her terribly. I'm so lucky to have met Getta in Kolkata and also welcome her to our home in Celbridge in Ireland on one of her visits. She will be remembered by us fondly and with admiration for her selfless work.

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Vivienne Field

I was lucky enough to travel to India and could see all the amazing things that have happened thanks to Geeta. She truly was amazing and I’m glad I got the chance to meet her. Maybe she rest in peace ❤️

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Shane Flanagan

I still can't believe you're gone. Your legacy will most certainly live on. I am so privileged to have known you. May you finally get a well-earned rest. Come again!

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Dr. Patricia Campbell

Such a tragic loss of a woman with the warmest heart, full of selfless love. We remember her fondly here in Ireland from our time working with HOPE.our sincerest condolences.

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Margo McDonald

When someone as special as Geeta lives among us we see a light in the world that lifts our spirit .Let us try to be generous of heart as she was and learn to care for the lost and lonely as she did

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Jhulan Ghose

Goodbye Superwoman Geeta di. You will stay in our heart forever. I will miss everything about you …your openess to new ideas, always making feel comfortable, understanding people's potential, our lighter chat on fashion and the great professional bonding we shared.❤❤❤

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Harriet McDougall

I didn't know Geeta long, but she made an enormous impression on me. A powerful woman, full of wisdom, kindness and humour that I will never forget. Her incredible legacy lives on in the hearts of everyone who met her and whose lives she changed for the better with her vision and dedication. Sending my thoughts for her family and all of Hope. xxx

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Lynette D'Souza, British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata

Sadness engulfed us the moment we learned of Geeta's passing. She may have left our sight but shall never be forgotten. Always cheerful and smiling. I met her only for a brief while but felt the love and warmth in her welcome and saw how devoted and motivated she was. Sincere condolences to her family members and all at HOPE Foundation. We pray time will heal and lighten the pain you feel. May her Soul Rest in Peace.

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Prakash K Rath

Dear Geeta,
18th May 2020 you last posted an facebook appeal to my whatsapp account and after that I sent so many messages to you but you never responded. I knew that you were extremely busy and thought to myself that you will reply when free. But it never crossed my mind that you will completely set yourself free by living this world. That's not what we had ever discussed that you will go away leaving us all in shock and with a gut wrenching feeling of emptiness.
Why Geeta, why so soon?
You were such a great person with your genuine concern for the vulnerable children. I learnt a lot from you though you would humbly say that I had more experience. You still had such a lot to offer to the social development sector….
I can't think of an NAGN meet without you. I can't think of a Kolkata without you, I can't think of Sikkim without you, can't think of a friendship without you….So many wonderful memories… You left too soon….. Life will never be the same without you..
Prakash

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Damien and Kseniia

It was our privilege to meet a wonderful, passionate, kind hearted and magnetic personality. We send our deepest condolences to Geeta’s family and friends.

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Melissa O Sullivan

Geeta, youre memory will live on through the work of Hope and all us volunteers here in Ireland and your homeland Kolkata. You're kindness, compassion and motherly nature was that to be idolised. You are forever missed.

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Atreyi Banerjee

It's really shocking to hear such saddening news of sudden demise of Geeta di. May her soul rest in peace ?

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margaret walsh

So sorry to hear this sad news of Geeta’s death,
RIP

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Madge Scanlon

Heartfelt sympathy on the death of Geeta.She was a wonderful human being. Her love will go on.