Date of Birth:
Monday, October 26, 1953
Date of Death:
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Age:
72 years old

Neeta K. Pai

Neeta Kochickar Pai, 72, of Rochester, MN, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at Charter House Mayo Clinic.

Neeta (Chandrika) was born and raised in Mangaluru, India, to Dr. T.P. and Suprabha (Vathsala) Bhat. She graduated from St. Agnes College in 1972 and married Nityananda (“Nitya”) Pai on December 25 of that year. Soon after, she emigrated to the United States as a young bride. Together, they built a life in Briarwood, NY, where they raised their two daughters. During her years in New York City, Neeta developed a keen sense of independence and resilience, shaped by her hard work, determination, and deep love for her family. Utilizing her natural charm and charisma, Neeta built a successful career in sales, earning numerous incentives, including family vacations. The couple later moved to their dream home in Tarrytown, NY.

In 2004, Neeta was diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension and given a prognosis of four months to live. To accommodate her illness, she and her husband moved to Stamford, CT. Once Nitya retired, the couple moved to Rochester, MN to move closer to the Mayo Clinic to support her care. Through excellent specialists, experimental treatments, and her remarkable determination, Neeta lived another 22 years. Her resilience, along with her advocacy and volunteer work supporting awareness of pulmonary hypertension and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, inspired all who knew her.

Neeta treasured time spent with her daughters, their spouses, extended family, and especially her granddaughters. She was deeply spiritual and a devoted follower of Sai Baba, drawing strength, support, and community from her Sai family over many years. She enjoyed listening to bhajans, staying in touch with loved ones in India and dear friends across the country, knitting, gardening alongside her husband, spending time with her cat, and cooking. Neeta showed her love most vividly through food—preparing and sharing her cherished Konkani dishes, always ensuring that anyone who entered her home felt cared for and welcomed.

Neeta is survived by her beloved husband; her daughters, Nikhila Pai (Jeff Cooksey) and Jaimala Pai (Shane Bohnen); her granddaughters; her brother, Jayakar Bhat (Jyothika); and her sister, Lathika Shenoy (G. Hariram). She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, U. Rajendra Bhat.

A Hindu ceremony will be held on Sunday, April 12, at 12:00 p.m. at Hindu Samaj Temple, 911 11th Ave NW, Rochester, MN, with lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Camp Companion Pet Rescue in Rochester, MN, or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com.