Obituary of Rajdai Kingston

Rajdai Kingston, 78, passed away on March 3, 2026. She was born on December 30, 1947, in Georgetown, Guyana, to Kewolpati Persaud and Lochhman Persaud. Rajdai moved to New York in 1979, where she built a life centered around family, community, and hard work. She was known by all who met her as fun, loving, courageous, nurturing—and when necessary—strict. Her strength, generosity, and determination left a lasting impact on everyone around her. Rajdai had a deep love for cooking and was well known for her catering, especially her delicious Caribbean dishes. Her home was always open, and it was not unusual for neighborhood children to stop by for dinner if their own families hadn’t finished cooking yet. In the same spirit of community, her children would often share meals with neighbors as well. Her kitchen was a place of warmth, laughter, and togetherness. In addition to cooking, Rajdai was a talented seamstress who used her skills to serve those around her. She made curtains, dresses, and school clothes for neighbors and friends, becoming an integral and cherished part of her community. Rajdai was also fiercely independent and adventurous. She would travel to other countries to obtain goods that were difficult to find in Guyana. If those goods were taken from her along the way, she would simply shrug it off and plan another trip. No matter how busy or adventurous her travels were, she always returned home to the role she loved most—being a mother. Often leaving on a Friday and returning by Monday, she would remind her children before leaving, “Don’t go outside while I’m gone!” Above all else, Rajdai was selfless, always putting others before herself and doing whatever she could to help family, friends, and neighbors. She was preceded in death by her daughter Denise and her siblings Jiggs, Barney, and Orlene. Rajdai is survived by her children Kirt, Sandy, and Paul; her son-in-law Dhanpaul and daughter-in-law Sheila; her siblings Sandra, Tyrone, Bonita, and Norma; her grandchildren Kamala, Veda, Junior, Melissa, and Billy; and her great-grandchildren Anjali, Alex, and Alaya. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews including Roland, Alex, Sabrina, Alana, Lisa, and Nigel, along with many extended family members, friends, and community members whose lives she touched. Rajdai Kingston will be remembered for her strength, generosity, independence, and the love she gave so freely. Her legacy lives on through the many lives she nourished, clothed, guided, and cared for throughout her remarkable life. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.