Sarla Agarwal passed away peacefully from complications related to a stroke on December 16, 2020 in Peoria, Arizona. She was living at Sierra Winds Independent Living facility since 2013.
Sarla was born on March 8, 1935 in Nagina, Uttar Pradesh (India). She married Som Agarwal on June 8, 1955. She and Som moved to the United States in 1956 so that Som could complete his Ph.D. in Physics, at Temple University Som and Sarla applied for US citizenship in 1965 and became naturalized citizens in May 1971. In 1965, they moved to Morris, Minnesota to live and raise their three children. Som was an Associate Professor in Physics at University of Minnesota, Morris.
Sarla received her nursery school teaching certification from the University of Minnesota – Morris and was an early childhood teacher for 36 years at Country Day Nursery School. She felt honored and privileged to have played an important role in the early lives of her students. For her contributions to early childhood education, she received a Regional Service Award from the Minnesota Association of Education of Young Children. After Som passed away in February 1988, she also worked at the Divine House in Morris as a caregiver for adult women with special needs. She loved her clients and genuinely appreciated the time she spent with them.
In 2001, she moved to Sun City West, Arizona to be closer to her sons and her grandsons. She delighted in watching her grandsons grow up and enjoyed many holidays and milestone events with her family. Sarla was a skillful bridge player and loved playing cards and other games. Traveling to be with family and go on adventures was a top priority for Sarla. She also volunteered at the Del Webb Hospital Child Development Center one morning weekly until 2013.
Sarla is survived by her three children: Sudhir (Mary), Prati (Norm), Ravi; two grandchildren: Phillip, and Taylor; two brothers: Hari Raj Saran, and Brij Raj Saran (Sushma); and numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers, and one sister.
A celebration of her life will be held at the outdoor garden of Unitarian Universalist Church in Surprise, Arizona. Memorials are preferred to the National Association for the Education of the Young Child’s Lasting Legacy Scholarship Program (NAEYC.org or http://weblink.donorperfect.com/InMemoryofSarlaAgarwal)