Asha Arvind Kotak, age 81, passed away peacefully at her home on January 16, 2026.

Born on May 5, 1944, Asha was raised in Mumbai, India, where she lived an active childhood surrounded by her parents, siblings and extended family. When not in the chemistry lab at school or on the hitchko (indoor swing) in her parents' bedroom, she could be found in the compound outside her home playing with the neighborhood kids.

She arrived at O'Hare Airport as a newlywed in 1968 with her husband, Arvind, and their "second life" began. She and Arvind soon purchased a home in the northwest suburb of Buffalo Grove, where they built a strong network of friends and raised their children, Ameet and Aarti (Asha was clearly fond of the letter "A," especially the academic kind when it came to her kids' grades.)

On the professional side, Asha studied chemistry and worked at a family-owned company in the field of chromatography. Her work ethic and dedication earned her the utmost respect within the company.

Asha was known for her determination, warmth, sincerity and deep caring. She was a lifelong cheerleader for the children and grandchildren who grew up within her wide circle of family and friends. She enjoyed sweet treats, competitive games and, occasionally, the jokes that Arvind would tell at the dinner table or at social functions.

Asha is survived by her husband Arvind; daughter, Aarti; son, Ameet and his wife, Heena;
grandchildren, Anaya and Lara, who were an immense source of joy and pride.

The funeral and cremation service will take place on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The service will begin at 10:30 a.m. at McCauley-Sullivan Funeral Home & Crematorium, 530 West Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, Illinois 60440. To view livestream, please click the following link:
https://livestream.funeralscreen.com/mccauley-sullivan/asha-arvind-kotak/

Those who are interested in sending flowers may instead consider donating to Clearbrook (which she regularly supported as part of Ameet's volunteer service) at www.clearbrook.org or
The Arthritis Foundation at www.arthritis.org .