Shila Tai Patil

Shila Tai Patil

Beloved Daughter, Wife, Mother, Friend, and Guardian of many

Departed this world on May 17, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of compassion, strength & service. 

Born with an innate sense of justice and a deep care for others, Shila Tai held advanced degrees in International Law and earned her Ph.D. in civil and political rights. After moving to the United States in 2000, she dedicated her professional life to advocacy and public service. As Director for the Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA) in the State of Indiana, she championed the rights and dignity of vulnerable communities. Her work as a lawyer in India included successfully defending numerous cases involving women who were survivors, and in some tragic cases, victims, of extreme domestic violence. Her unwavering belief in justice touched many lives and empowered countless individuals. 

Shila Tai was a radiant presence in the lives of all who knew her. A passionate gardener, she tended to her flowers and plants as if they were her cherished children. She was a gracious host, and she found deep joy in preparing meals for friends, neighbors, and guests. 

Shila Tai’s warmth and generosity left a lasting impact. Her home was a haven for many international students who found in her a second mother while far from home. 

She is survived by her husband Nitin Patil, her beloved son Soham Patil, and her loving furry child Luna. She also joins her fur baby, Snowy, in eternal rest, whom she dearly loved. 

Shila Tai Patil was more than the roles she held. She was a light in her community, a protector to the vulnerable, and a motherly figure to many. She was lovingly known as "Annapurna" by her friends, a name befitting her nurturing spirit and generous heart.

Her memory will live on in the gardens she grew, the meals she shared, and the countless lives she uplifted.