Daljit Kaur Sidhu

Daljit Sidhu, respectfully known as Bhenji (sister) was a remarkable woman who touched the lives of school children and individuals in the community. She fought a silent life-long battle with Lupus and more recently was weakened and hospitalized with age related symptoms. She passed away peacefully in the early hours of December 29 at Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge.

Daljit was born to Lt. Col. Lachhman Singh Mehat and Jagir Kaur Mehat on July 21, 1938 in her grandmother's village of Rurka Khurd, East Punjab, India. As the family grew to include 6 other sisters and 4 brothers, she was tasked with the responsibility of assisting in raising some of her younger siblings.

In 1958 at the age of 20 she along with her family members, immigrated to Canada. Within a few days of her arrival in Canada, Daljit started working at the Child Care Centre in Vancouver as a "secretary and bookkeeper".

She married Virinder Sidhu on August 9, 1961 at the Gur Sikh Temple in Abbotsford, the oldest existing Sikh Temple in North America. At her wedding she introduced a new cultural norm by wearing a white wedding dress. The integration of an Indian wedding at the temple and her western attire symbolized the merging of cultures. She would continue to promote the value of cultural diversity and respect for change throughout her multiculturalism initiatives within the educational system.

Their two daughters enriched the lives of Daljit and Virinder. The family eventually grew to include three grandchildren. Their lives were shaped living on the farm located at the corner of 152 Street (Johnston Road) and 40th Avenue in Surrey. The rural setting provided many opportunities for Daljit to continue pushing the boundaries of self-improvement and learning. She acquired new skills, interests and hobbies as exemplified by her huge flower garden.

Daljit's expansive career path included Rehabilitation Worker supporting the needs of traumatically head injured persons and Multicultural Home Support Services for Vancouver and Delta School Boards.

Her friends, colleagues, and employers characterized her as tactful and wise and as an individual who possessed integrity and poise.

We would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff members who provided professional and loving care to Daljit while she was a resident at the Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge. A private funeral service will be held.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge or the BC Lupus Society.