Dr. Kalpana Nidhi Kapil-Pair

With heavy hearts and profound love, we remember Dr. Kalpana Nidhi Kapil-Pair, who passed away peacefully at her Manhattan home on April 22, 2025, at the age of 53. Born on September 29, 1971, in Leeds, England, Nidhi was a cherished wife to Robert Daryl Pair and the devoted mother of four beloved sons: Nikhil, Jet, Axel, and Zaven.

Nidhi’s journey was marked by a deep curiosity and compassion for others. She began her academic path in Richmond, Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, then pursued advanced degrees in New York, including Masters in Psychology from Pace University and Clinical Psychology from Long Island University. Nidhi earned her Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology from Long Island University.

Her dedication to helping others led her from the Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center to the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, and ultimately to a faculty position as Assistant Professor of Medical Psychology at Columbia University. In these roles, she dedicated herself to research and clinical care for suicide prevention and severe mental illness. Along the way, she touched countless lives with her wisdom, empathy, and gentle humor.

Recently, Nidhi embraced a new calling as a certified equine therapist, excited to blend her love for horses with her commitment to supporting U.S. veterans. Her colleagues and friends admired her for her unwavering kindness, infectious laughter, and the joy she brought to every room.

Nidhi’s warmth extended far beyond her professional life. She was a beacon of positivity and hope to all who knew her. With her eclectic taste and creative spirit, she transformed every home into a haven of beauty and comfort. She found immense joy in traveling the world with her partner, Robb, and their children, savoring each new experience and sharing her stories with friends and family.

She is lovingly remembered by her mother, Usha Rani Kapil; her mother-in-law, Mary Locks; her sister, Raksha Kapil; sisters-in-law, Cindy Pair (George Hailey), Lisa Walters (Wayne); her brothers, Vikram Kapil (Ruby) and Kanishka Kapil (Marina); her nieces, Shalini and Anjali and nephews, Naryan, Logan (Tatiana), Blake and Baxter; and a wide circle of extended family and friends. Nidhi was preceded in death by her father, Dr. Balvir L. Kapil, and father-in-law Robert M. Locks.

A memorial service to celebrate Nidhi’s remarkable life will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Moloney’s Lake Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 132 Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. Friends and family are warmly invited to gather, share cherished memories, and honor a life lived with extraordinary grace and love.