Ramila Mansukh Wani

Ramila M. Wani, caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away at home in Durham, NC on April 12, 2022 from natural causes at the age of 92.

Ramila was born on August 10, 1929 in Mumbai, India. She immigrated to the US in 1960 with her son Bankim to join her husband, Dr. Mansukhlal C. Wani who had arrived in 1958 and was completing his studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. The family then moved to Madison, Wisconsin and in 1962 settled in Durham, NC which has been their home for 60 years.

Over the years, Ramila and her husband served as the “Welcome Wagon” for students and families who arrived in the area. They were involved in hosting India Nights and other social events to help their fellow Indians develop a sense of community. As a result, they had an extremely large circle of friends here and around the world. Ramila traveled extensively in the US and abroad, accompanying her husband to conferences and visiting family and friends. The Wanis were also founding members and benefactors of The Hindu Society of North Carolina.

 Ramila’s passions were cooking, entertaining and playing her favorite games. Preparing a delicious multi-item Indian lunch or dinner for friends and her husband’s work colleagues, often at a moment’s notice, was a frequent occurrence. She loved to play cards, Bingo, Scrabble and a variety of word games. Ramila almost never missed watching Wheel of Fortune! She also enjoyed knitting, ceramics and making jewelry.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Mansukhlal C. Wani. She is survived by her son and daughter in-law, Bankim and Darshana Wani of Raleigh, NC, her grandson, Nilesh Wani of Seattle, WA, her brother Prakash Dalal and sister, Rashmi Desai in Surat, India.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ramila’s memory can be made to the following programs:

The Forest at Duke Catalyst Scholarship which supports team members who wish to further their education or the Benevolent Fund which supports residents who have exhausted their financial resources. Please make checks payable to The Forest at Duke (2701 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705)and write the program you wish to fund on the memo line.

The Hindu Society of North Carolina Food for Raleigh Shelter program (https://hsnctemple.org/donations/hsncfoodprogram/)