TIRLOCHAN (TOCHI) KANHAYA SINGH (KAUR) -

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TIRLOCHAN (TOCHI) KANHAYA SINGH (nee KAUR) 1925 - 2014 Tirlochan K. Singh, born in New Delhi, India on November 21, 1925, transitioned on January 28, 2014 at 7:27 p.m. in White Rock, B.C. Tochi was preceeded by her father, Dalip Singh, mother Prem Kaur, brothers Nirmal Singh and Davinder Singh, and both husbands, Tej Bhan Singh and Kanhaya Singh. Tochi was the eldest of eight siblings: five sisters and three brothers. Her father worked for the National Life Insurance Corporation of India, and was transferred often, so Tochi lived in many places throughout India. In 1946, she married Tej Bhan Singh, a forester. They had one son, Romi Singh, and one daughter, Pummy Kaur. Tochi received B.A., B.Ed, and M.A. degrees in India by 1954. After separating from Tej Bhan Singh, Tochi went to the United States in 1954 to attend Duke University, North Carolina, to complete an M.Ed, while her children remained with her mother, Prem Kaur, in Agra, India. Upon return to India in 1956, she began teaching and eventually became the head of a teacher training college. In December 1959, Tochi migrated to Leeds, U.K. with her children, where she taught till August 1963. Tochi and her children were then sponsored by the Canadian government to migrate to Winnipeg, on the condition that she teach there for two years. Which she did for more than 26 years, till retirement in December 1989. In the summer of 1966, she vacationed in India and brought back a new husband: her father's boss, the President of the National Life Insurance Corporation of India! Kanhaya Singh, a top agent with Great West Life, and Tochi lived in Winnipeg, and travelled the world during school vacations. They hosted large, lavish parties for their friends, and together were a prominent feature of the Indian landscape in Winnipeg, helping in the foundation of a Sikh Gurudwara and a Sikh library. Tochi loved fashion, her family and travelling. She was famous for her story telling and for her raunchy jokes at parties. Her home knew no limits to hospitality. Tochi's last few years were spent at The Al Hogg Pavilion of The Peace Arch Hospital, where she was truly loved by so many on staff, to whom the family is very grateful. She transitioned very peacefully, while in the arms of her daughter, looking into each others eyes, and with one granddaughter, Cadence, by her side. Tochi is survived by her son Romi Singh of Washington, U.S.A., daughter Pummy Kaur of White Rock, B.C., sisters Sarbjit Kaur, Harbhajan (Kaur) Pal, Manjit Kaur, Amrit (Kaur) Smagh, nine grandchildren, seven nieces, four nephews, many grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and dozens of cousins, spread all around the world. There was a small service and cremation held for immediate family on Sunday, February 2. It will be followed by a big celebration of her life, on February 22, to be held in Surrey, BC and another full Sikh memorial service and big celebration in the summer in Winnipeg, MB.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 15, 2014