Obituary of Kaveri Mahadevan

Kaveri (Amma) was born in Tirunelveli, South India, married at a young age to Dr. Subramaniam Mahadevan, and moved to Ottawa, Canada in 1968. In her home of almost 60 years, she had accumulated hundreds of friends with her winsome smile and her ever friendly, thoughtful ways. She was a very sociable person and had a joie de vivre like none other. She took childlike delight in trying new things, going on adventures, and enjoying life to its fullest. She exuded kindness and a willingness to help one and all in any capacity within her power. She had many fans and admirers young and old, whom she charmed with her trademark dimples.

Kaveri was an out-and-out community person. She enjoyed meeting new people and loved to reminisce about her youth and life in India. She was an amazing cook and her idlis, milagai podi and kootus were profoundly delicious. She loved old Indian Tamil songs and Carnatic music and was a very adept singer herself.

Despite coming to a country with no knowledge of the language or culture, her resilience and determination helped her not only learn English but also get a job at Revenue Canada, where she worked for 25 years.

She, along with her husband and two sons, created a beautiful life for themselves and were a beacon of comfort for all the new Indians who came to live in Ottawa, promoting the rich culture of Indian traditions, music, and dance. It would be remiss not to mention the iconic Varalakshmi Poojas that she organized and hosted for many decades. She took so much pleasure in doing community service and always put her heart and soul into everything she did.

Kaveri Amma leaves behind fondest memories in all those who knew and loved her. Her many wonderful lifelong friends and family will miss her physical presence very much but pray that she is in a better place now without pain or suffering. She died peacefully in her sleep. She will live on in our hearts and may her soul forever rest in peace.

Kaveri Mahadevan - Kaveri or Maami to her friends; Amma to her children; Paati to her grandkids; Pappa to her relatives; Chitti, Periamma or Athai to her nieces and nephews, was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Mahadevan and her son Ravi Mahadevan.

She leaves behind her son Mani Mahadevan, his wife Priya, Ravi's wife Nandini, her 4 grandchildren Karunasai, Samyuktha, Ashwin, and Shreya, and Trudeau (Toodoh), the only dog she was not afraid of. 

Om Shanti

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request you to donate to your local Alzheimer's research foundation.