Obituary of Nalini Vedam

Mrs. Nalini Vedam, 84, of State College, passed away peacefully in her home on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Born June 27, 1931, in Mangalore, India, she was the daughter of the late Capt, R.B. Subramanyam and Muthumeenakshi. She was the youngest of 12 children and always very close to her large extended family. She grew up in Bangalore, India, attended Kamalabai School, and received a Bachelors in English Literature from Bangalore University. She completed a Masters in Library Science, at Miranda House, Delhi University, and served as the librarian at the Lawrence School, Lovedale Ootacamund until her marriage. On September 14, 1956 in Bangalore, she married Dr. K. Vedam. Ten days later they arrived as the first couple from South India to make their home in State College. They came for a Post-Doctoral fellowship and, after 2 years back in India, Dr. Vedam joined the Physics faculty at the Materials Research Lab at Penn State University. For 60 years, Mrs. Vedam personally welcomed countless members of the growing Indian community to her home, and helped them to adjust to life in America, even while honoring ancient traditions. The Vedam home became a favorite venue to hold community celebrations and share meals; and Mrs. Vedam, a trusted source of advice and succor on matters that ranged from raising families to making career decisions to coping with loss. Mrs. Vedam was also well loved and respected by the larger State College community, especially those who had gourmet tastes. She was a world famous cook; and though she never called herself a chef, many chefs and gourmands learned their arts in her cooking classes. At those classes, the students would learn 2 items and then sit down for beautifully served 10 item meal, while she told them stories about the origins of the menu. Mrs. Vedam was one of the original members of the State College community that founded Schlow Memorial Library. As a young bride, she spent countless volunteer hours cataloguing the collection. She loved books and fine language, well-crafted handwritten letters, mornings, and long walks in the woods. As a member of the University Women's club, she was famous for leading the group in her sari and sandals on hikes in the Nittany Mountains. She kept track of everyone's children and was a keeper of family stories. Most of all she loved to share her tasty nourishments with those in need: new mothers, people who were ill or lonely or exhausted. She regularly and annually donated her food to charitable events. She often sent coolers of exquisite delicacies to loved ones who were far from home. She was also a patron of the arts, hosting and feeding visiting musicians, and dancers, and the local Classical Carnatic music group meetings in her home. Mrs. Vedam is survived by her elder brother, Grp Captain S.C. Keshu, two children, Saraswathi and Subramanyam Vedam, son-in-law Jeffrey W. Miller, four granddaughters, Maya, Zoe, Lakshmi, and Sophia Miller-Vedam, dozens of nieces and nephews, and at least four chosen daughters: Shama Kulkarni, Lata Anantheswaran, Lavanya Ashok, and Neela Yennawar; sons, Anil Kulkarni, R. C Anatheswaran, S. Ashok, Arvind Rangaswamy, Gil Morrison and their children, all of whom gave her deep joy and sustained her in her most difficult times. The family will host a Celebration of Life at her home, receiving guests from 5-9pm on Sunday May 1st and 4-8 pm on Monday May 2nd. In lieu of flowers or memorial contributions the family asks that remembrances be made by offering a meal or assistance to a newcomer in your community. Arrangements are under the care of Koch Funeral Home, State College. Online condolences and signing of the guest book may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com.