SOHI, Rajwant (Raj) Kaur nee: Tiwana

Following a courageous 32 year battle with long-term disabilities and more recently, 4-1/2 years of progressive breast cancer, Raj died peacefully, surrounded by family, at the Sault Area Hospital Palliative Care Unit on 22 January 2004 in her 69th year. Beloved wife of Sardar for 47 years, loving and dedicated mother of Paul, Anita and Reena (predeceased). Dear mother-in-law of Gayle and Mintu, and loving grandmother to Eric, Dylan, Priya and Rania. She will be sadly missed by all her family and friends. Raj was blessed with a caring family of five sisters: Gurdev Sidhu (Charanjit, both predeceased) of India; Dhanwant Dhillon (Jagjit) of India; Gunwant Chattha (Mohinder) of Northville, Michigan; Satwant Samra (Rajbir) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Tejwant Harrison (Gerald) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; and four brothers: Charan (Manjit, both predeceased), Tejo (Harbhajan), and Iqbal, predeceased, (Satwant) of India; and Dilawar of Thornhill, Ontario; and many nieces and nephews. Raj was born in the erstwhile princely state of Patiala, now part of Punjab, India. Raj and 27 month old son, Paul, moved to Corvallis, Oregon, USA in 1961 where Sardar was studying at Oregon State University (O.S.U.) towards his Ph.D. in Entomology. Raj also attended O.S.U. and obtained a Master’s Degree in Home Economics/Family Life and Child Development. Raj, Sardar and Paul moved to Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1964 where daughter Anita was born. In 1965 they moved to Sault Ste. Marie where daughter Reena was born in 1966. They were enjoying life in the Sault, and Raj was busy raising her young family, when in 1971 their lives were shattered and forever changed by a horrific highway accident in which 5 year old Reena was killed, and Raj was left in a coma for 3 months. Raj recovered but was left severely disabled as a result of her desperate attempt to remove her young daughter from the path of the oncoming pickup truck. During the ensuring 32 years Raj continued to demonstrate great courage and strength in overcoming many complications caused by the severe injuries she suffered as a result of her selfless act to save her young daughter. Despite being told she would never walk again, or be able to care for herself, let alone others, Raj provided motherly love to Paul and Anita who grew up to be compassionate individuals and caring physicians. Raj has been an inspiration to all those who knew her. Her indomitable spirit will live on.