Shaila J. Pandit, beloved sister, aunt, grand-aunt, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Alpharetta, Georgia, on July 18, 2025, at the age of 80.
She is survived by her devoted brother, Ashok Pandit and his wife Kumkum, two loving nieces, Neha and Purvi, grand-niece, Ariya, and two grand-nephews, William and Elliott, all of whom will deeply miss her warmth, quiet strength, and enduring grace.
Born on August 26, 1944, in Dholpur, India, Shaila was the elder of two children of Mohan and Shakuntla Pandit. At a time when few women pursued careers in engineering, Shaila distinguished herself through academic excellence and an early passion for science and technology. She earned her undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from the prestigious Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani, in 1969.
In 1971, Shaila moved to New York to pursue graduate studies and obtained a Masters degree in Computer Engineering. She went on to have a successful career at Lucent Technologies, where she worked as a computer engineer for many years before retiring.
Shaila will be remembered not only for her achievements as a woman in engineering and technology, but also for her deep compassion and unwavering commitment to helping others. In her later years, she embraced a spiritual path as a born-again Christian, devoting her life to the service of Christ. She was a long-standing and active member of the First Baptist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia.
A source of quiet wisdom and steadfast support, Shaila touched the lives of many with her humility, intellect, and grace.
A service to celebrate her life and legacy will be held on Monday, July 28, at 1:00 PM at the Northside Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Shaila's memory.
She leaves behind a legacy of faith, service, and quiet dignity that will continue to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her.