Dr. Merlyn Mildred Mondol, 1929–2026

Dr. Merlyn Mondol passed away peacefully with family present, on May 14, 2026, at the age of 97 at Wellsprings Assisted Living with Wellsprings Hospice in Saginaw Michigan.

She leaves behind a legacy of grace, intelligence, courage, strength, and unwavering faith that touched countless lives across generations and cultures. To her family, friends, students, and community, she was far more than accomplished — she was a guiding light whose presence elevated those around her and inspired them to strive for their very best.

Born in Hyderabad, India, to Rev. Samuel and Rose Violet Datt, Merlyn was one of seven siblings raised in a close and loving Christian home grounded in faith, discipline, service, and high standards for achievement. With unwavering faith throughout her life, she faced life’s challenges with remarkable grace and resilience.

From an early age, Merlyn radiated confidence, beauty, and charm. She was known as a tomboy in her youth who loved to climb trees, and a talented athlete and serious scholar who excelled in all she undertook, receiving many first-place accolades.

Admired for her striking presence, warm smile, and musical oratorical voice, she became beloved within her community as both a gifted vocalist and an inspiring young woman whose grace naturally drew people toward her. From family occasions to church, choral soloist, theatre and leading roles, her performances captivated audiences on stages large and small.

Yet beyond her elegance and charm was a remarkable intellect and determination. As a devoted mother and teacher having earned a Bachelors and gold-medal honors in an MA in Economics in India, she traveled to America in 1965 with her three children and mother in-law Carolyn Mondol, aboard the HMS Queen Mary, to pursue a higher education and stability for her children.

Merlyn earned a Ph. D, with an underlying MA, in Educational Psychology from Michigan State University in 1969. She accepted a position at Saginaw Valley State University, where she taught for 33 years. During this time, Professor Mondol chaired the Psychology Department for 8 years, served on the Faculty Association Board, was an exchange professor at Shikoku University in Tokushima, Japan, was awarded Distinguished Woman of the Year in 2000, and honored during Michigan Women's History Month.

Upon her retirement SVSU honored Dr. Mondol as Professor Emerita in 2002. Her children established a Merlyn Mondol Scholarship in the Psychology Department. In 2012 SVSU dedicated a psychology reading room honoring Dr. Mondol and her late husband Hero Singh.

Throughout her life, Dr. Mondol became known not only for her academic achievements, but also for bringing people together. She was affectionately known by many as “Mother India,” reflecting the warmth, wisdom, and welcome she extended to all who she encountered.

Merlyn lived a colorful life encompassing the cultures of two continents. Proudly as an American citizen she was a founding member of the India Association and served as its President, chaired the state People to People program, President of the Saginaw Valley Rotary Club, Assistant Rotary District Governor for three years, and Board of Advancement of University Women, along with numerous other philanthropic and cultural efforts.

In every role, Merlyn carried herself with kindness, courage, and understanding, with a deep sense of compassion, dignity, justice, and responsibility toward others. In all things she was a proud and devoted ambassador of her Christian faith, providing leadership, support, talents, and service, always following the Wesleyan tradition of her Methodist upbringing to do all the good you can, in all the ways you can, whenever you can, wherever you can, for as long as you can.

Those who knew her often described her as inspirational, iconic, elegant, and deeply compassionate. She loved a good party and was known for being a gracious and kind host, bringing people together in joy and celebration, building community, friendships, bridges and goodwill, and happy memories.

Her light continues through her family, friends, students, and the many lives she influenced throughout nearly a century of extraordinary living. A Celebration of Life and interring of ashes will be held on July 21, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, Saginaw at 1:30 PM with visitation prior to and gathering after the service.

Donations in her memory may be made to SVSU-Merlyn Mondol Scholarship or First United Methodist Church

Forever in our hearts, a guiding light shining from above. Merlyn Mondol is survived: by daughter-in-law Marianne, widow (son Rajendra (Raji) K. Mondol), daughter Rajkumari (Raj) Mondol Wiener (Richard), son Jitendra K. (JK) Mondol (Jeannie), Grandchildren Heidi Maguire (Glenn) Raquel McGovern (Sean), Rachel Wiener, Robert Wiener, Logan Mondol, Lee Mondol (Casey), Maxim Mondol, and Great grandchildren Maya McGovern, Wyatt McGovern, Jack Mondol, Greyson Mondol. Siblings, Dr. Noreen Singh, Kenneth Datt

Merlyn is preceded in death by her son Rajendra (Raji) Mondol, parents Rev. Samuel and Rose V. Datt, siblings Bertrand Datt, Gertrude Datt, Marjorie Raju, Dr. Irene Kutar, spouse Profulla Mondol, spouse Hero Singh

Merlyn Mondol

March 10, 1929 - May 14, 2026

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