The Queen, The Icon, The Legend – our “Big Boss” is now dancing with the angels. With heavy hearts, full of love, the family of Ajit Kaur Deol (née Dhillon) announces her sudden but peaceful passing, in her family home, after a long life well lived. Mrs. Deol is survived by her three daughters and eight grandchildren, including her daughter Pamela Deol (Kalyan Wadwa) and grandchildren Aleisha Wadwa and Kaeten Wadwa; her daughter Monika Deol (Avtar Bains) and grandchildren Chaya Bains, Alina Bains, Jaden Bains, and Avani Bains; and her daughter Minny Deol Olson (Craig Olson) and grandchildren Rajin Olson and Ria Bongiovanni (Danny Bongiovanni). She is also survived by her youngest brother, Amrit Pal Singh Dhillon, in India, and numerous nieces and nephews all over the world. Mrs. Deol is predeceased by her husband Udey Pal Singh Deol; parents Sant Pal Singh Dhillon and Chetan Kaur Dhillon; and three of her four younger brothers.
Mrs. Deol lived her life across many continents, decades, languages, and most importantly, people. She was born in 1926 in Wanjari, in pre-Partition India. During the civil unrest of the Partition in 1947, Mrs. Deol and her family escaped to Jalandhar, Punjab. Her father insisted she receive a quality education at a time when women were often given limited opportunities. She earned her Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Education from the University of Punjab in India, as well as a degree in Physical Education. Thereafter, she dedicated her professional career to educating others – especially those who were overlooked by the rest of society.
Mrs. Deol married Udey Pal Singh Deol in 1959, and soon after came her three daughters. Because of her passion for education, she initiated the difficult and courageous decision to move the family to Canada with the goal of pursuing a Master’s degree from a foreign university. She and her husband were welcomed into Canada as teachers, first in Ontario, and then in Manitoba. Among other positions over the years, she served as the Principal of the Caroline McMorland School for the Mentally Handicapped in Ontario. When she first became principal, the school was housed in a church basement, had little structure, and taught only five students. By the time her tenure was completed six years later, the school had grown to 24 children and was integrated into the local high school where students took part in a cutting edge Life Skills Program. This innovative program became a model throughout the province. At the same time, Mrs. Deol spent her summers further enhancing her education by obtaining an additional Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Certification in Special Education from York University. Her impactful service as Principal was emblematic of her community leadership throughout her life. She was a constant, powerful force for justice and good.
In 1975, Mrs. Deol and her family bought a dairy farm in Beausejour, Manitoba, where she continued her teaching career, first at Edward Schreyer School, and later at Maples Collegiate in Winnipeg starting in 1986. She maintained a lifelong devotion to her Sikh faith, taking time to pray every day. The Sikh community was deeply important to Mrs. Deol, and the community felt the same way about her: She was the first woman President of a Sikh Gurdwara in North America, at the Gurdwara Singh Sabha here in Winnipeg. Throughout her life in Canada, Mrs. Deol was instrumental in assisting many newly arrived immigrants to fully integrate into life in Canada. She was not just a pillar in the community; she was one of its core builders.
Mrs. Deol was a trailblazer, committed to improving education, social services, and intercultural understanding. She was recognized many times for her meaningful contributions to society. In 2002, she was invited to serve on the Manitoba Human Rights Commission, which she faithfully did for nearly two decades. Among other accolades, she was awarded the Order of Manitoba, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal, and an Honourary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Winnipeg.
Retirement in 1991 escalated Mrs. Deol’s commitment to seva (community service). Among many other roles, she was involved in the Boys and Girls Club of Winnipeg, the Seven Oaks School Board, the Seven Oaks Hospital Foundation, the Women’s Immigrant Settlement Association, Manitoba’s Intercultural Council, and multiple organizations promoting heritage languages.
Our Naniji (grandmother) also built an everlasting legacy within our family. In contrast to the cultural norms at the time, Naniji was incredibly proud to have three daughters. She saw many life changes over the years, including her husband’s passing in 1986, her daughters’ marriages, the birth of eight grandchildren beginning in 1991, numerous graduations, and the marriage of one of her grandchildren in 2021.
As each grandchild came along, Naniji continued to fully immerse herself in the joys, big and small, of our lives. Whether it was parasailing and snorkeling in Hawaii, exploring the palaces of Paris or London, swimming with dolphins in the Bahamas, cruising Alaska, or taking pictures with Mickey Mouse in Disneyland – wherever we were with Naniji was the happiest place on earth.
Naniji’s colourful presence was consistently felt by all her loved ones. Naniji often shared her love through music. She was the first one on the dance floor and the last one to leave. She composed and led songs at family celebrations, ensuring everyone was included. Whether it was performing Giddha and Bhangra, taking part for many years in Folklorama, learning Shabads (Sikh hymns), or rocking out at concerts, Naniji put the music in our lives. Food was another one of Naniji’s love languages. She created and shared new recipes, and she always made sure everyone had a warm plate.
More than anything else, Naniji loved us by spending time with us. From watching movies in matching pajamas, to dressing up for Halloween, to doing Starbucks runs for French Vanilla lattes, Naniji brought the magic to us every day. For many years, Naniji continued to rotate living with each of her daughters and grandchildren, involving herself completely in our daily lives. Naniji’s energy is the magnet that continues to draw our family together, inspiring us to be the best versions of ourselves.
Naniji was known as the woman who could do anything. When she heard someone else doubt they could do something, she would boldly challenge them: “why not?”
Naniji passed away just as she lived her life, with grace and dignity. She left peacefully in her sleep, beautiful, happy, and healthy, in her own home on Sunday, February 11, 2024, just a week shy of her 98th birthday.
The family would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Naniji’s long-time caregivers, Concepcion “Connie” Limonar and Bogdana Andriechine, who provided invaluable assistance to Pamela, Aleisha, and Kaeten, who lived with Naniji. For the last many years, Pamela took on the responsibility of being Naniji’s primary caregiver, for which the family will forever be grateful.
The funeral service will be held on February 18 at 2:00 pm at Thomson “In the Park” Funeral Home (1291 McGillivray Boulevard) with a Bhog Ceremony (Sikh prayer) to follow at Gurdwara Singh Sabha (4000 Sturgeon Road).
To join the service online, please click "Join Livestream" in service details below.
The family welcomes tributes to Mrs. Deol at www.thomsoninthepark.com.
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