Sudesh Duggal - Obituary
It is with immense sadness that we share the passing of Sudesh Duggal of Oakville, Ontario on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at Oakville Trafalgar Memorial HospitalSudesh was a beautiful, vibrant, smart, brave and generous soul. She accomplished so much in her life and helped others often. For her husband and daughters, she was always the guiding light.She was born in Phagwara, Punjab, India on February 20, 1937.She received her Bachelor of Arts from Panjab University (Phagwara) in 1957, and her Bachelor of Teaching from Panjab University (Simla) in 1958. In 1959, she married the love of her life, Harbans Duggal – her life partner for 55 years.Upon arriving in Canada in 1966, she interviewed with the Nova Scotia Board of Education - and landed a job on the spot. She taught in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick for 40 years. Most of those years were at Frank L Bowser Elementary School in Riverview, New Brunswick.In her personal life, Sudesh worked tirelessly with many organizations – taking leadership positions in all of them. She was one of the founding members of the Indo-Canada Association of Moncton, and helped build a strong Indo-Canadian community – welcoming and guiding newcomers. She was a member of the University Women’s Club of Moncton, and a member of the Canadian Club at her winter home in Clearwater, Florida.Sudesh loved keeping fit. She played golf avidly for decades at Moncton Golf Course and at On Top of The World Golf Course. She exercised daily, and would often spend hours at the Center for Physical Education and Sports at the Université de Moncton or the Moncton YMCA. Even in this last year, she could be found at exercise class every single day.She is predeceased by her parents Lahori Ram and Chander Kanta Ghai, her husband Harbans Duggal, and her youngest daughter Seema Duggal.She will be greatly missed by her eldest daughter Reema Duggal, son in law Prashant Lal, grandsons Vikram Lal and Hari Lal, sisters Madhu Bahl and Urmil Sareen, and brother Bimal Ghai.And she will be missed by all her friends at Queens Avenue Retirement Residence – the place she called home for the last four years.Rest In Peace.
Sudesh Duggal - Eulogy from Reema
Mama - Mahatma Gandhi said: There are no goodbyes for us. Wherever you are, you will always be in my heart.
For 60 years you were a guiding light for me and our whole family. Your hopes, dreams and plans kept us always forging ahead.Hello everyone – My Mother started her life as Sudesh Bala Ghai – with the nickname of Rani (that means Queen). She was determined, she was focused, she was strong, she was smart, and she always went after what she wanted.In her obituary, I wrote about her accomplishments and passions. But this morning I’d like to talk about all of you, and the things that she did with you that made her happy.For her family around the world, she loved you a great deal. When the calls would come in from siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and in-laws – she loved to talk and debate – about almost any subject under the sun. And she gave advice to those who would take it. I am especially grateful for my Mother's sisters - Madhu Bahl and Urmil Sareen. Over the last few years, they spoke to Mom every week and brought so much love and joy to her.For her friends in Riverview and Moncton, she cherished the relationships very much. She was so proud of the Indo Canada Association in Moncton, and always wanted to be present to meet everyone. With her neighbours, she could always be found outside discussing big ideas – long after my father would go in. He used to say Sudesh can go anywhere – outside, the grocery store, the bank - and get into long conversations because there is always someone she knows. She could and she would talk to everyone.For her colleagues who taught with her, she learned from you every day. She loved the camaraderie of staff rooms, the professional development, the retired teachers events. She was proud to be a teacher. She was proud to be amongst you. She valued you as her professional sisterhood and brotherhood.For her friends in Florida, she especially cherished you because you gave your friendship AND it came with six months of sunshine and warmth. But more importantly, because she never really loved to cook, the early bird senior specials always made her happy. She loved eating out – and loved spending time with you.For her Golf Buddies everywhere, Mom loved playing with you because golf was her number one priority. She actually started playing golf before my Dad. At first he thought it was a fad for her – but slowly he realized he was going to be alone a lot if he did not start to play. It let her combine her joy of exercise and her love of socializing. And so many of you became lifelong friends.And finally, for all the new friends and staff at Queens Avenue Retirement (her home for the last four years) – she was so happy to spend time with you. When she moved in, she said it was like being on vacation every day. She got to enjoy meals with you, play trivia and scrabble every day, have long conversations at the bistro, and exercise every day with you. I know she’ll miss you as much as you will miss her.My Father Harbans Duggal died in January 2015. My younger sister Seema Duggal died in February 2018. The toll that took on my Mother was immeasurable.Six hospital visits over three years sapped her of so much. Despite that, she always tried to be brave and strong. Her mind was sharp. You should have heard her negotiating with the Hospital Doctor on why she needed to be home before Christmas – and exactly how she planned to navigate it. In her mind she would do it. But her body could not keep up, and she went in one last time in January.I want to thank everyone that is online today to pay their respects to my Mother. I know she touched every one of you in some way. I know you’ll remember her beautiful smile, her laughter, her determination, and her friendship.I would be grateful if you would write a note in the guestbook about a time you remember being with her. It can be serious or funny – my Mom was part of great adventures with many of you.Rest In Peace Mama. I will miss you with all my heart.
