Celestine Wilhelm

Celestine Sushila Wilhelm, wife of the late Edward Wilhelm Kaundinya, was born on February 3, 1926.

Married to army personnel meant adapting to new environments, as her husband was transferred to different parts of India.  She was tough and adapted quickly to her surroundings, making friends wherever she landed.  Her smile and friendliness caused many to come under her care. Her stature provided safety and comfort. When her husband was injured in a fluke accident, she cared for him until his last breath in 1979.

She was brave to enroll herself into the Red Cross Nursing courses during the Indo-China war, ever-ready to serve her country.  She was always willing to go beyond her means to help others.  Her unwavering trust in God and His word was remarkable. She loved God’s Word and would make every effort to read the Bible cover to cover at least once a year. She has done this many times over the years.  She trusted God in everything. She was a blessing to many in the church in India and the United States.

She moved to the U.S. in 1986 and lived with her daughter and son-in-law, helping to take care of her grandchildren.  She raised her grandchildren as her own.  Then, as God blessed her with great-grandchildren, she took that blessing as an opportunity to share her love with them, as well.  She was a “mummy” to everyone who came to know her.  She was a woman who thought of others more than herself.  She was the kind of person who would surprise the doctors by asking about their welfare.

Life lived well and to the fullest cannot be extinguished.  It lives on through her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Her final days were spent surrounded by family and friends who she touched throughout her memorable life. We carry her memories, essence and legacy with us.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward, and her daughter, Asha.  She is survived by her daughter, Kumi Russell, her son, Pradeep Wilhelm, sons-in-law Chuck Chakravarthy and Sam Russell, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, her sisters and numerous cousins, uncles, aunties, nieces and nephews.