Dr. Mani Gagrat was born in Kanpur, India, on January 18, 1946, the youngest daughter of Tehmina and Sohrabji Gagrat. From an early age, her brilliance was unmistakable. She attended St. Mary's Convent School in Kanpur, where she excelled academically, with a particular gift for mathematics. Recognized as exceptionally bright, she was granted double promotions and completed high school earlier than her peers. Her sharp intellect and natural aptitude for mathematics set her apart and not surprisingly she earned gold medal in her bachelors and masters program from the university of Kanpur.

Dr. Gagrat went on to study at IIT Kanpur, where she earned her PhD in Mathematics at the remarkable age of 24—an extraordinary achievement at a time when few women entered, let alone excelled in, the male-dominated field of mathematics. She later applied for and accepted a teaching position at the University of Colorado in Boulder, beginning a lifelong career dedicated to education.

It was during this chapter of her life that Mani met her beloved husband, Joseph Huang, who deeply admired and cherished her intellect, compassion, and strength. Together, they built a life that took them from Colorado to Milwaukee and eventually to Orange County, California, where they shared more than 50 years together. This year would have marked their 51st wedding anniversary.

Mani was a Parsi Zoroastrian. Though not outwardly religious, she was deeply spiritual and lived by the Zoroastrian guiding principles of Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds. These values shaped her life, her work, and her relationships. During her final days in the hospital, she was surrounded by love and support—from her husband Joseph, her close friend Hilla and Fariboze,her nephew Jamshed, and his wife Farzana Palsetia, as well as her Zoroastrian community and friends.

Dr. Gagrat is survived by her husband, Joseph Huang; her older sister, Silloo Palsetia; her nieces and nephew Rashna, Jasmin, and Jamshed, and their families. She was also a proud grand-aunt to many grand-nieces and grand-nephews, who knew her as their brilliant and accomplished "Grand Aunt"—a professor who dedicated her life to teaching mathematics at Los Angeles Harbor College.

Dr. Mani Gagrat taught mathematics for over 50 years. Her dedication to her students was unwavering. Even on her sickest days, she continued to grade papers, prepare lessons, and, when she could, drive herself to campus to teach. Over five decades, she helped countless students understand difficult mathematical concepts—students who might otherwise have given up on school altogether. She was not motivated by money, prestige, or recognition, but by a deep commitment to being present for those who needed her most. As her husband Joe often said, she would do anything for her school and her students.

The impact of her teaching is evident in the words of her students. One wrote, "Professor Gagrat is probably the single best math professor I have ever had. She cares that you understand the material, not how fast you can solve the problem." Another shared, "Math has always been NOT my subject, but Dr. Gagrat changed that. I actually learned from her lectures because she explained things so well. She is such a lenient grader and always wants the best for her students. The jokes she cracks so casually—even though she doesn't laugh at them herself—gets me every time." She was recently recognized by the Los Angeles Harbor College when she was given the "Golden Apple" award- (the Oscar of the academic world.)

Mani will be deeply missed by her husband Joseph, her sister Silloo, and her nieces and nephews, as well as by the many students, colleagues, friends, and family members whose lives she touched. She was a proud and private person who did not wish to burden others with her pain. For more than four decades, she fought bravely against lupus and its devastating effects on her body. On January 7, she succumbed to a sudden illness, leaving behind a legacy of intellect, kindness, perseverance, and selfless service.

A memorial service will be held at McCormick & Son Mortuaries, located at 25000 Moulton Parkway, Laguna Hills, California, at 1:00 p.m. The chapel service will be followed by burial at Ascension Cemetery at 2:30 p.m., located at 4754 Trabuco Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630. Both the service and burial are open to all who wish to offer their final prayers and say goodbye to Dr. Mani Gagrat.

To view the webcasting of service, click HERE.