Daksha Dilip Patel passed away peacefully, at the age of 79, on July 12, 2024 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. She was surrounded by her family, after a very sudden and unexpected change in health.

She was a life-long advocate for the power of education to save lives. She was born on October 9, 1944 in Nadiad, Gujurat in India. She was a graduate of Gujurat College in Ahmedabad. She came to America in 1972, a young bride and new mother. Always ahead of her time, she was a smart, sharp woman who adapted to life in a new country with grace and tenacity. She learned a new language, learned to drive, and worked outside of the home when few others in her situation did. But the job she did the best was being a mom and a grandma.

From her humble beginnings she raised two Northwestern Alumnae, who both married Northwestern Alumnae. This fund is to set up a trust to provide scholarships to young women in India who would attend Northwestern, but for the price.