Usharani Sampat Negandhi passed away on Monday, May 23, 2022 at the age of 74 in Phoenixville, Pa. She was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother (didi), and aunt.

Usha was born on November 29, 1947, in Madras (now known as Chennai), India, less than 4 months after India gained independence from British colonial rule.

She was the second daughter of Gopaldas Karsandas Sampat and Gunvantiben Kantaben Sampat. She was one of nine children, and currently survived by her older sister Bhanu, older brother Jaysinh, younger sisters Pallavi and Harshada, and younger brother Mahesh. While she followed strict orders under her mom as a young teenager to serve the family, she yearned for more educational freedom during a time when it was not accessible or customary for Indian females.

In 1967, at the age of 19, she married Sanat M. Negandhi in Mumbai. A year later, the apple of her eye was born, her first son, Vimal S. Negandhi. After Sanat went to America to explore a new life for his family, Usha raised Vimal in Calcutta. She expressed her wishes to move to America and her father, understanding his daughter's determination, asked her brother, Jaysinh, to sponsor her family in America. Jaysinh helped fulfill that dream and the rest is history. She moved to America in 1971 and eventually settled down in West Philadelphia where her second son and baby, Kevin, was born in 1975.

In 1976, the family moved to Phoenixville, Pa, a quiet Western suburb of Philadelphia which at the time had less than 5,000 people. As one of the first Indian American families in the area, Usha would call Phoenixville her home for nearly 5 decades. She viewed education as the ultimate currency and wanted to help others. She chose a career in nursing and earned a GED, then attended night school for her RN, taking her second son to classes on a weekly basis. She received a bachelors in Nursing from Immaculata College and worked at Pottstown and Phoenixville hospitals. With an unquenchable thirst for learning, she eventually went back to school, earning multiple Masters degrees, for which she took great pride. After that, she went into the teaching profession.

She was active in the Indian community, dancing at National competitions and later becoming an International judge.

Her pride in her two sons was no secret in Phoenixville. She never met a stranger and would often go out of her way to tell people about Vimal's job as a coach and Kevin's life in TV. Chances are if you crossed her path in a Wawa, CVS or the YMCA you knew when Kevin was going to be on ESPN and walked away inspired to live out your dream.

She adored Phoenixville. She inspired the Negandhi family grant which is awarded each year to a Phoenixville High School Graduating Senior to help reduce the financial demands of college. She served on the city's beautification committee, worked at the local YMCA and never said no to an opportunity to join her friends at the Phoenixville Senior Center. The Phoenixville Dogwood Parade was her favorite event each year.

Usha loved her family fiercely. She adored her daughter in law, Monica and would often say "You go GIRL!" whenever Monica would tell her about her daily accomplishments. Her grandchildren brought out the best in her. Her heart was happiest doing word searches with her laddoes Brandon and Noah. She shared Bollywood videos with them and loved to show her Laxmi McKenna Indian dance moves while doing her hair. She loved texting Kevin, GOOOOOO (insert Philly team during a game) or BOOOO (insert Philly team after heartbreak) on a nightly basis.

She was a strong woman with strong beliefs and a strong personality. She spoke her mind. She challenged traditional and cultural norms and that is what made her so special and successful in life. She was one of a kind and will be missed beyond measure.

Relatives and friends will be received from 11:30 am - 1:30 pm, on Friday, May 27, 2022, at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc., Main Street at Fifth Avenue, Phoenixville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Usha's name to the Phoenixville Area Senior Center, 153 Church Street, Phoenixville, PA 19460. Arrangements are being handled by the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc. Condolences may be offered online at http://www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.