Nirmala Rangel's Obituary
Nirmala (“Nim”) Rangel (nee Fernandes), 69, passed away July 29, 2022 after a nearly three year battle with metastatic breast cancer.
Nim was born on February 6, 1953 in Poona, India, to the late Dr. Victor and Olinda Fernandes. She was the youngest of six children and grew up in a close-knit family, deeply rooted in the Catholic faith. Like all her siblings, she grew up with a love for music. Singing and making music together made every family reunion a celebration of life and love. She was a loving and binding force for all her brothers and sisters and their spouses throughout her life. Even in childhood, Nim made lasting friendships. Her friends remember her kindness, cheerful smile and optimism. With her around, there was always warmth and sunshine.
After graduating with degrees in Psychology and Education, Nim began her career in 1973 as an English and French teacher at St. Anne’s High School in Poona. Her pupils loved her for the personal attention, motivation and encouragement she gave them.
On her 24th birthday, February 6, 1977, she met Vincent, her beloved husband, with whom she would go on to spend 40 years of togetherness. Their marriage was a union of true soulmates who loved each other deeply. It was filled with laughter, joy, and faith, with faith being most paramount. Nim lived the adage that it was not just two people, a husband and wife, that made up a marriage; rather, it was three, with the Lord that mattered most.
Nim and Vincent immigrated to America in 1992 and eventually settled in Strongsville, Ohio in 1995, where they would continue to raise their two sons, Rohan and Ashwin. In addition to being a devoted wife, Nim was a loving, doting mother to her two children. Being a teacher by profession, she passionately supported them in their education and her love for music influenced their extracurricular activities. She was the glue of her family and her nurturing personality, patience and understanding were some of the core values that she passed on to her sons and their families.
As her sons became independent and eventually left home for college, she took on an administrative assistant role in the Radiology department at Southwest General Hospital. Nim and Vincent also had the opportunity to travel to some beautiful places, including Alaska with its spectacular glaciers, Banff National Park in Canada, Tulum Beach in Mexico, and the souks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. She eventually retired in 2019 and took this opportunity to focus on other interests such as being Vincent’s editor-in-chief, especially for the celebratory videos he created for friends and family. Most importantly, she was elated to become a grandmother in 2021 with the birth of her grandson, Lucas. She deeply cherished her time with him and they brought so much love and joy to each other’s lives.
In 2012, Nim was diagnosed with breast cancer. She spent 2 years bravely fighting the disease and in 2014 was in remission. Sadly, in 2019, she was re-diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. She showed grace, courage, strength and determination in her renewed battle over the last three years. She remained positive and unwavering in her faith in God and His plan for her.
Nim was a beautiful person both inside and out. She was patient, kind, caring and always with a ready smile, infectious laugh, and cheerful demeanor with all those she encountered. She played the piano and guitar and sang beautifully, including in the choir at St. John Neumann’s for 25 years. She also made numerous audio recordings of her favorite songs for her loved ones to hold onto as cherished memories. Through art therapy, she rediscovered her passion for crafts and created many beautiful keepsakes for her family. Nim also designed a t-shirt for the VeloSano cancer fundraising initiative, “Bike to Cure.”
She is survived by her beloved husband Vincent Rangel, children Rohan Rangel (Jasmine Panchal) and Ashwin Rangel (Ashley), siblings Dr. Yvette Pande (the late Dr. Jitendra), Christopher Fernandes (Marie), Fr. Stan Fernandes, S.J., Dr. Vijay Fernandes (Dr. Lilian) and Patricia Fernandes, and her dear grandson Lucas.
VISITATION FRIDAY AUGUST 5, 2022 4PM-8PM at JARDINE FUNERAL HOME, 15822 PEARL RD, STRONGSVILLE. Mass of Christian Burial SATURDAY 10AM at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery, Avon.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to VeloSano (https://give.velosano.org/Jame-Abraham).
If you're unable to attend Nirmala's Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, please click on the link pasted below to attend virtually.
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