Kathleen (Kitty) Chandani

Kathleen Rita Chandani, affectionately known to many as Kitty, passed away surrounded by love, leaving behind a legacy of warmth, generosity, and boundless compassion. Born and raised in New York, Kitty carried with her the vibrant energy of the city, which she later brought to California in her early twenties—following a spontaneous call for adventure that would define the rest of her life.

Kitty went for it. She lived with courage, heart, and a deep belief in the goodness of people. She took chances—on places, on people, on love—and it paid off in a life rich with connection and meaning. But more than anything, Kitty was known as a mother. Not only to her beloved sons, but to many others who were drawn to her nurturing spirit. Her heart had no borders. Her home was a sanctuary—full of warmth, laughter, and the delicious scent of something cooking on the stove. It was a place where friends, family, clients, neighbors, and the occasional stranger found a seat at the table and a place to rest. Whether you stayed for a meal, a night, or a season of your life, you left knowing you'd been loved.

Kitty opened her arms to people and animals alike. She rescued pets from grocery store parking lots and busy streets, never hesitating to make room for one more. Just when you thought she had given all the love one person could give, she showed there was more. Her compassion reached far beyond her home. To this day, her mailbox is still filled with letters from the many charities she supported: animal shelters, veterans’ groups, hospitals, and humanitarian causes near and far. If there was someone in need, Kitty found a way to help.

She was deeply spiritual, grounded in her Catholic faith and also open to the beauty of all sacred traditions. Her home held rosaries beside sage bundles, and the light of her devotion could be felt by all who knew her. She believed in the deeply beating heart of life—and she lived in step with it every day.

Kitty’s passing leaves an unfillable space, but also a legacy of love, courage, and unwavering kindness. The world is certainly less vibrant without her, but everyone lucky enough to have been touched by her spirit carries that light forward. She is survived by her beloved sons, Raj and Adam, and her grandsons, Luke (12), Caden (3), and Micah (1), and the many souls—both human and animal—whose lives she made better.

In the end, Kitty gave us all a lesson in how to live: with open arms, an open door, and an open heart.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kitty's name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, at the bottom of the page.