Christel House India supporters share their condolences and memories of our beloved Founder, Christel DeHaan. Thank you to all for sharing your thoughts with us in honor of Christel DeHaan ma'am.
We are most saddened by Christel DeHaan’s passing away. She was an inspirational towering figure who dedicated herself to uplift children out of poverty. She will be dearly missed by all. May her would rest in peace.
- Sunil Kunte, Former-President & Chief Executive Officer, FMR India
Extremely saddened and sorry to hear about this terrible loss. My deepest condolences to you and the entire Christel House family. Christel was an absolutely amazing and inspiring person. We will all remember her for her amazing achievements and what she has done to give back to society. Her legacy lives on with Christel House and she will continue to live in the hearts of all the children that her schools have helped nurture and grow.
- Mousumi Kapoor, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Continual Engine
It’s a sad day for all of us as Christel's mortal life candle blows off. Christel in her lifetime lit thousands of candles making this world brighter and better. The Christel legacy of empathy, humanity and commitment is a quite a force today to touch many more lives in coming years. Feel extremely blessed to come in touch with her - may her soul rest in peace.
- Sunanda Das, Executive Director, PDC Services Pvt Ltd
I am completely devastated by this news. A lady no less than a saint is all I can say at this moment. Someone who has changed millions of lives, not just at Christel a House or RCI, but in the timeshare industry as a whole. Unable to put my thoughts in words. May she be in peace in a better place. Take care all my dear CHousers.
- Radhika Shastry, Former Managing Director, RCI India
Christel was such an incredible lady; I was so sorry to hear the news via our CH Europe board chair (Diana) on Saturday. I met her five or six times in addition to a number of emails and phone calls and two very enjoyable meals in her company. She was so full of life, energy and passion (& always so very much 'hands on' as we know!) She was such an inspiration through her life choices with how to use money with total & complete generosity for the good of others. It is so hard to imagine her gone. You must all be hurting; thoughts and prayers with you all.
- Paul Baker, CH Europe Board member and Head of Computing & Digital Strategy- The Perse School, Cambridge, UK
I do hope you are all well. I just wanted to pass on my condolences with regards to the passing of Christel. I was very sorry to hear that news. I do hope everyone is well - please pass on my best regards to everyone and do let me know if there is anything I can do.
I hope this note finds you, the staff and students at Christel House well. I was sad to read this note. Christel certainly was an inspirational and visionary leader. Her legacy will continue. Missing all things India!
- Tammy Redpath, Senior Vice President and President, Target in India - Target Corporation
We are so sorry for the loss, a loss which is equally deep and heart wrenching for us at RCI. Christel was a wonderful person who will be so sorely missed. Her warm spirit and generosity was a joy to all who knew her. Her positive attitude has always helped to motivate all of us to think and give back to the society. We will miss her so much. We truly believe that through Christel House, Christel’s legacy will live on in the thousands of lives she uplifted and the thousands more that Christel House will go on to uplift. Please accept our condolences to the entire Christel House family. Stay Safe.Stay Healthy.
- Edward Francis Paul, Director – Human Resources, RCI India
Saddened to hear about Ms. Christel’s demise. It is truly our collective loss of a visionary who has helped set up such a strong ecosystem for under-privileged children and communities. Our deepest condolences and sympathies during this time of grief. Please pass on our thoughts and prayers to the family and to the Christel House community.
- Premil Dennison, Managing Director - SVB GDC, Silicon Valley Bank
We at RCI are so sorry about Christel’s demise. She was a truly incredible woman who had such an amazing effect on everyone who knew her. We can’t imagine how difficult this is especially for you and the entire Christel House. For us the loss is equally irreparable. The tremendous progress RCI had made under her astute guidance is a tribute to the departed soul. Her warmth and generosity made us all better people and we consider ourselves lucky to have known her. She will be missed terribly. Please accept our sincerest condolences,
- Rishi Verma, Head of India Subcontinent, RCI India
I’m so sorry to hear of Christel’s passing. She was an amazing person who set a wonderful example of how to make an impact long after our passing. I trust all is well with you and your family.
- Verne Bragg, Regional Managing Partner and Audit Practice Leader, GT US Shared Services Center India Pvt. Ltd
Very sad to hear this news, she lead her life to the fullest by supporting the under privileged. Pray her soul rest in peace.
- Daisy Leela, Corporate Communications, HARMAN International
May Christel’s soul rest in peace. Heartfelt condolences from the Dell team, she has definitely left a great legacy behind which I am sure you and the Christel House team will continue.
- Rajeev Kapoor, Vice President, Finance Shared Services, Dell Inc
Hope you and your family are doing well in these extremely challenging times.Extremely sorry to hear about this sad news. Please accept my condolences. During your presentation in our office, I heard you talk about Christel and her passion for her NGO. I was extremely touched by her service to the cause of equipping the next generation with skills for a better life. Prayers for her soul.
- Prerna Tandon, Senior Vice President, State Street Corporation
We are very sorry to hear the tragic news on Ms. Christel DeHaan. Tough she may be not with us the great work done by her will be around for several generations. May her soul rest in peace.
- Balaji Ranganathan, VP Corporate Audit at Fidelity Investments
This is truly saddening news. Our hearts and prayers are with you as you deal with this difficult time. I have fond memories of the time I did get to meet Christel and she was a truly inspiring individual.
- Samitha Manoharan, Lead Corporate Social Responsibility, Target Corporation
Dear Christel House team - This is extremely shocking and sad news, no words to express our grief. May her soul rest in eternal peace. Our condolences to the bereaved family.
- Rashmi Maria D’Silva, Airbus
On behalf of everyone at IQVIA India, we extend our deepest sympathies on the passing away of Christel DeHaan. Christel was an exceptional and inspirational social entrepreneur whose vision for Christel House has been a strong force behind our decision to support your India centres. The remarkable achievements of Christel House and the students who have graduated from there are testimony to the wonderful organization Christel House is. Our condolences to you and the entire Christel House family of staff and students and families of these students. While Christel will be missed, in all of you and the students she leaves behind a rich legacy that will live on for generations. May she continue to inspire and be a guiding light for all of you as you take her mission forward.
- Melissa Arulappan, Head Corporate Communications, IQVIA RDS
I read this news with profound sadness. Though I never had the privilege to meet Christel, the basis of her work in poverty alleviation through education is absolutely commendable. Please join my condolences amongst everyone else to the Foundation. I am sure this must be a sorrowful moment but I am confident her legacy will continue on.
- Rajiv Sundar, Deloitte
Deeply Saddened to hear this. May her soul rest in peace.
- Abhishek Jain, Senior Manager – CSR, Regional Head - Cognizant Outreach
Very sorry and saddened to know. May her soul rest in peace. We have been the blessed ones to be associated with her through CHI and learn so much about the transformation a caring heart and good will can bring to humanity. Christel has been and will continue to be an inspiration to many many of us. Our prayers and condolences and wishes for strength to Christel House family.
- Sowmya Jayananda, Nokia
Our deepest condolences. The legacy of providing quality education and a hopeful future for needy children is highly inspirational.
- Manohar DV, Senior Director at Deloitte Haskins and Sells
So sorry to hear Jaya & Mathew! The heavens are blessed now!
- Srini Raghavan, Educational Initiatives
My wife and I had the privilege of briefly meeting her several years back at a poolside dinner at The Leela Palace. Our condolences.
- Vasanth Kini, Managing Director Titanium Industries India Pvt Ltd Bangalore
Distressed to hear about the demise of Christel DeHaan, founder of so many great institutions. The world is poorer by her passing away. Please accept our condolences and convey it to her family members.
- Arun Balakrishnan, Former Chairman & Managing Director, Hindustan Petroleum Corpn Ltd.
Very Sad News indeed. Condolences to the Christel House Family and Prayers to almighty to give peace to the departed soul. She is lived a life that is inspirational to many including me. Her Noble work will be remembered and supported now and in future. Pray to god to give strength to the whole Christel House family to bare the loss and achieve greater success that will make Christel madam proud from heaven.
- Vinayak B A, Nokia
Even though I have not had the opportunity to meet her but only hear of her and see her video speech, I cannot help feeling a jolt of sadness. If it is my feeling, I shudder to think how you must be feeling. How all people of Christel House must be feeling. My heartfelt condolences on the loss of the founding pillar of your institution. She seems to have created sustainability even in her generosity by creating the trust through her estate. Thanks for sharing. It has been a great opportunity to know that such an individual exists. She will exist beyond her physical time here.
- G Raghavan, CEO, Bhartiya City Developers Pvt. Ltd.
My heartfelt condolence to the family of Christel DeHaan. May God give fortitude and courage to the bereaved family to withstand the irreparable loss. May her social work inspire Team Christel to spread education and knowledge to the community.May Almighty give peace to the departed soul.
- Sanjeev Shah, Deloitte
I was very saddened to hear about Christel DeHaan’s passing away and my deepest condolences to you and the Christel House family in India! Christel was such a remarkable, compassionate and visionary person who truly touched and transformed thousands of young lives across the world! She was truly special!
It’s a huge and incalculable loss to the entire education fraternity and more so for her ardent admirers and supporters like Dell Technologies. We will miss her! While we all grieve, we need to also take a moment to celebrate her life that’s full of such rich contributions. She leaves behind a legacy that brims with confidence and optimism. Christel House family, particularly in India in safe hands and stands strong. May her soul rest in peace!
- Mahesh Jayaram, Director, Corporate Communications, Dell Technologies
This is indeed, very sad news. Condolence to the entire CH family.
- Jasleen K. Makker, Senior Director – Corporate Communications, HARMAN
World has lost an excellent philanthropist. We are very sorry to hear this. May Christel DeHaan Madam’s soul rest in peace.
- Amithkumar Shenoy,Partner, Vishnu Daya & Co LLP,
Really sad to hear this. May her soul rest in peace. The exemplary legacy that Christel has left behind is unparalleled and an inspiration to many. Our heartfelt condolences and prayers.
- Rag Ranjan, SVP, Northern Trust India
An era has ended. Her ability to feel deeply for her fellow human and her unconditional abundance will be missed. Our thoughts go out to her loved ones and the entire Christel House family. With a deep sense of gratitude for the blessing her life was to so many. With our prayers,
- Nappina, Ramesh and the Equitor team.
Sad hearing of Christel’s passing away. May her rest in heaven. God Bless all
- V. K. REKHI, Founder Chairman, Vizanar Alcobev & FMCG Advisors