Nalini Theresa D’Alotto, aged 54, passed away Nov. 15, 2021. She was born May 11, 1967, in Cumberland Village, Guyana, the youngest of seven to Deonarain and Kunti Rhambarose.
It can be hard to stand out in a group of seven. Not for Zana, as she was known to her friends and family. Her vibrant spirit endeared her to everyone she met, even those she met for only a brief time.
Her childhood, like most of her life, was spent with family – talking and laughing and gossiping, of course, but always together. As the family emigrated to the United States over the years they always found space to fit one more in their new home of Queens, New York. It started with her brother Dalchand and sister Surogni. And then came her parents and the remaining children, Ramchand, Mohini, Harrichand, Premchand and the baby of the family, Nalini. She finished up her high school years in Queens and in 1988 she attended Baruch University. That was where she met Lou and their beautiful love story began. They started dating in July 1989 and by October Lou had already proposed. In three months they planned two weddings – one traditional Hindu wedding and one wedding in a church just like Zana always wanted.
That was a theme for Zana in her life. When she wanted something, she got it. No matter what it took. She told Lou all she ever wanted in life was to build a family. And she did just that, dedicating her entire life to being a devoted wife and loving mom. She had a beautiful daughter Angela and a handsome son Louis.
Lou had an old saying he always liked to tell people. He would say grandparents have to be generals so that parents can be doctors so that their kids can be artists. That is especially true for Zana and Lou’s family. Their fathers each had the discipline, leadership and toughness of a general. Lou went on to get his doctorate degree and Zana got her degree to work in the hospital pharmacy. And Zana and Lou lived to see Angela and Louis become successful musicians. They also got to see Angela get married. And just like mom, she met her husband Andrew in the summer and within the same year she was engaged. And a few months later she had her two weddings. Zana happily welcomed Andrew in as another member of her pride and joy in life, her family. She always welcomed everyone into her life. She will always be remembered as a shining beacon of light that brought warmth and love to everything she touched.
Visition was held Nov. 20 and 21 at Thompson Memorial Home, Red Bank. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Nov. 22 at St. Anthony of Padua, Red Bank. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
The article originally appeared in the November 25 – December 1, 2021 print edition of The Two River Times.
