It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our friend and colleague, Jahanvi Desai. She was surrounded by her family when she transitioned on March 19th.
It was as a volunteer at the Smithsonian Institution Libraries she met Janice Stagnitto Ellis, who was the senior paper conservator. When Janice started Quarto Conservation, Jahanvi became her first employee. Later, as Janice stepped into a new role at NMAH, Jahanvi took over Quarto in partnership with Lauren Zummo.
Jahanvi has been described as a “lifetime learner,” cheerful, energetic, and committed to her craft. Those words, however, are inadequate in fully describing the force that she was, and the place she held in so many people’s lives. She honed her skills with passion and commitment to her craft over many years. Due to her discovery of the intersection between science and the arts, she earned a degree in art history and a second degree in inorganic chemistry.
Jahanvi was enthusiastic about learning opportunities in the Washington, DC area. She was quoted in her profile for the Guild of Book Workers, “I love the fact that between Pyramid Atlantic, the Washington Conservation Guild, and American Institute for Conservation, there’s a lot available in the area. I wish I had enough time to take all the classes I wanted to! I think the Guild of Book Workers does a really good job of bringing in a variety of presenters and instructors.”
Because mentoring was important in her professional development, Jahanvi was committed to mentoring others. She imparted bench skills to interns at Quarto, and stayed in touch after they left. She said, “I always say to those who go on to academic training: ‘I will call you and pick your brain for what you learned in the academic world!’”
Her life philosophy, was simple: Always try to learn something new, and try to be understanding and sympathetic to people. She learned this last by working at Kinko’s and helping customers while attending college. “I listened to what they said. You do what you have to do to help them out.” This has helped her as a business owner in consultations with private clients. “I’ve noticed that the sentimental value of the object is very important. Every object has a story. Every client has a story about how that object came to them, and what they want from it.”
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 23rd.
Julia Bindeman Suburban Center
11810 Falls Road, Potomac, MD 20854
3:30-9:30
Dinner will be provided.
The greater circle of friends is preparing a mad 80s soundtrack, and we plan on disintegrating into wild dancing and out of tune singing in her honor at the end of the evening.
