Kamaljeet Kaur Kler

Kamaljeet is survived by her four children Bantu (Karam), Kundan (Karen), Jackie (Chad) and Daisy (Jason); five grandchildren Alyla, Alexander, Austin, Keyena and Kassius; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband Hardial Singh Kler, her sister Sarbjit Tiwana as well as many in-laws.

Kamaljeet was born on December 28, 1941 in Lahore, India to Gian Singh (father) and Amar Kaur (mother). Lahore is now in Pakistan and like most Sikhs her family was greatly affected by the Partition in 1947 - an event accompanied by one of the largest displacements of people in the twentieth century. Her family fled to Punjab, India.

She grew up in a small village that provided a tight-knit, loving environment. Her father was not a typical man. He was a forward-thinking freedom fighter resisting British Rule. He educated both of his daughters, which was unusual for that time, and he did so with a modest income and at great sacrifices. They were the only children in their village to be educated. In many regards Kamaljeet continued her father’s trailblazing ways. She earned her master’s degree in Punjabi Literature at a time when women were rarely granted the privilege of a university education (especially a woman who came from humble means.) She flourished in university and won numerous awards for her creative writing and poetry. For 3 consecutive years, from 1961 to 1963, she took first place in a Punjabi poetry competition. She also won in the Hindi poetry category and stood first place in the story competition. She won 3 prizes for writing the best article in the university paper. She was also the editor of the university magazine. After university, in her early 20’s, she broke new ground by being the youngest person to ever be hired as the principal of an all-girl’s high-school.

Her teaching career was cut short when she met and married Hardial and started a family. Soon after they married and had two sons. Hardial was born in Canada (his family are Vancouver pioneers establishing roots in the city in 1903) so they moved to Vancouver when their sons were toddlers. She gave birth to her two daughters in Canada as she made the difficult adjustment to her new country. She began working in the kitchen at Vancouver General Hospital, where she created lifelong friendships and connections.

After retiring, she remained active in her community. Through Sahara Sisters, she created a breast cancer fundraiser, after she fought breast cancer herself. She was also a member of women’s group Sanjha Vehra, which raises money for various community organizations. As a Board member for the Renfrew-Collingwood Seniors Centre she represented the senior’s voice to the Board. She volunteered with the provincial and federal NDP offices in her constituency, taking an active role in politics.

She also kept up her artistic endeavors. She wrote and performed in a sketch comedy television series called Chachi Gee which dealt with issues impacting the South Asian community. She handled difficult issues with wit, humor and compassion. The skits and characters she created became a loved persona in the South Asian community and she was recognized across the country.

Above all, what she will be most remembered for, is how she touched the lives of so many people through her generous and boundless ability to love. Kamaljeet was known for her profound ability to love. She was able to see people as they are and share her love for life with them. She loved her friends, family and loved everybody’s children as her own, as demonstrated through her loyal care and fierce protection. Her friends describe her as "a one-of-a-kind woman," "there will never be anyone else like her.” “so full of love and life.” Her children would simply describe her as “the best mother in the world.”

Kamaljeet lived her life to the fullest, despite the crippling disabilities and health issues she endured in her final years. She squeezed every ounce of joy out from her life, in spite of her limitations. She was an amazing mother, grandmother, aunt, daughter and friend. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and community. She will live forever in our hearts and her example will guide many for years to come.

A funeral service for Kamaljeet will be held Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Hamilton Harron Funeral Home, 5390 Fraser Street, Vancouver, BC V5W2Z1. Following the funeral service will be a witness cremation at 1:00 PM at Vancouver Crematorium, 5505 Fraser Street, Vancouver, British Columbia.

The service will be available to view live at: http://funeraweb.tv (search by name in the toolbar)