It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ella Rastogi, a majestic pillar of love, compassion, courage and kindness. Ella was born on Jan. 9, 1937, and left us peacefully on Dec. 1, 2023, leaving a void that no words can fill. Ella's light touched everyone who had the luxury of knowing her. Renowned for her beauty, she had a resolute, free spirit and a warm heart that welcomed all. Her life was a living epitome of the adage, "Family is not an important thing. It’s everything."
Ella was born in the city of Bareilly, India and grew up during WWII and Partition. The eldest sister and also the eldest female cousin in the Sinha clan, her family emphasized the importance of education and supported her aspirations to become a physician. She graduated from Prince of Wales Medical College in Patna in 1960 and worked as a family physician in Dehradun where her son was born. In 1964, the family moved to Boston where she completed her residency in pathology at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She continued her training and worked in Halifax, where her daughter was born, Newfoundland, Toronto and Sudbury.
Ella has left behind an indelible mark on the hearts of those she loved. Her devoted husband of 62 years, Ashok Rastogi, her son and daughter-in-law, Nikhil and Stella Rastogi, her daughter, Toolika Rastogi, her grandchildren Jaya, Kirin, and Nish Rastogi, and her sisters Kusum Varma, Asha Shrivastava, and Madhulika Sinha survive Ella. Each one of their lives has been graced by the touch of her immeasurable love and strength.
Ella's life was woven around the importance of family and friendship. Every moment spent with her was a lesson in love, empathy, and the strength of the human spirit. She was a woman of substance, whose courage was a testament to her beautiful soul. She was a pillar of the Hindu community in Sudbury and a founding member and leader of the Sudbury Prarthana Samaj. Ella made her life a devotion to the teachings of Swami Chinmayananda and the Vedanta school of Hindu philosophy.
We mourn the loss of a woman who taught us to love and care for one another. Her legacy continues to live in our hearts, her lessons guiding us through the labyrinth of life. Ella's warmth and kindness will never be forgotten. May she live on through each of us.
