Santosh Kumari Dhar, lovingly known as Toshi, Mom, and Nani, passed away on October 26, 2026. Born in Srinagar, Kashmir, she carried throughout her life a deep love for her Kashmiri Pandit heritage, the beauty of her traditions, and the enduring bonds of family.

For 55 years, she was the devoted wife of Arun Kumar Dhar, her steadfast companion in a life built on love and commitment. Together, they made a home filled with family, tradition, and treasured memories, traversing the globe from various cities in India to the United States in the late 1970s, then ultimately the Northeast (Pennsylvania), Midwest (Chicago area), and finally the Southeast (Raleigh area). In 2006, Santosh and Arun came to North Carolina, where her beloved daughters, Arpita (Ritu) and Prarna (Mona), had also moved with their growing families, beginning a new chapter while keeping close the culture and traditions that had always been so dear to her heart.

Graceful, elegant, resilient, and steadfast, Santosh had an artist’s eye and a creator’s hands. She found joy in painting, knitting, sewing, and making beautiful things to share with those she loved. Her appreciation for art and beauty was matched by a remarkable sense of humor, a generous spirit, and a deep devotion to the people in her life. She treasured her friendships, protected her family and its bonds fiercely, and taught those around her the enduring power of acceptance and, above all, love.

As a mother to Arpita (Ritu), married to Gary Sullivan, and Prarna (Mona), married to Mehul Desai, she loved and embraced her sons-in-law wholeheartedly. As Nani to Milan, Lekha, Maya, Layla, and Mischa, she brought a special kind of magic to childhood: endless sleepovers, ice cream bars, laughter, and the unforgettable trick of making candy appear from their bellies. She was equally devoted to passing on her Hindu and Indian heritage, introducing her grandchildren to Hindi, Vedic teachings, Diwali, Maha Shivaratri, and the traditions that connect generations to their roots.

Santosh was the beloved daughter of Kashi Nath Bhan and Lakshmi Shari Bhan of Srinagar, Kashmir, and a cherished sister to Gopika (Makhan Lal), the late Bansi (Indu), Ashok (Rita), and Surender (Uma). She was also a much-loved aunt to many nieces and nephews, whose lives she enriched with her warmth and affection.

Her legacy lives on in the beauty she created, the traditions she preserved, the relationships she nurtured, the laughter she inspired, and the love she gave so freely. She leaves behind more than memories; she leaves a way of being in the world—graceful, accepting, devoted, and rooted in love.

Funeral Puja & Cremation

Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.

Renaissance Funeral Home
Raleigh, North Carolina

The service will be livestreamed. Please see the funeral home's memorial page for viewing details here.

In Her Memory

In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions in Santosh’s memory to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, in support of Parkinson’s research.

May her memory be cherished, her spirit held in peace, and the love she cultivated continue to flourish through all those whose lives she touched. Om Shanti Om. Om Namah Shivaya.