HARCHAND KAUR GREWAL

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HARCHAND KAUR GREWAL Our beloved Harchand Kaur Grewal ("Bibiji") was born in Dakha, District Ludhiana, Punjab, India on July 1, 1916. The daughter of a well known family in the district, Bibiji was predeceased by: her father, Jaildhar Bakhtawer Singh Sekhon and her mother, Punjab Kaur Sekhon; her sister Harbant Kaur Claire; her brothers Harbant Singh Sekhon and Ajmail Singh Sekhon; her husband Harchand Singh Grewal; and her son-in-law Inderjit Singh Claire. Bibiji is survived by her daughter Baljit Kaur Claire; grandchildren: Harinderjit Kaur Cheema and husband Dr. Gulzar Singh Cheema, Jatinderpal (J.P.) Singh Claire and wife Loretta Marie Claire, Jagjit Kaur Claire and Mohinderpal (Paul) Singh Claire and wife Kiranjit Kaur Claire; great-grandchildren: Anuraj Singh Cheema, Kiranjit Kaur Cheema, Haley Jordan Kaur Claire and Jared Paul Singh Claire; and Bibijis sisters children, and families: Satwant Singh Claire and wife Manjit Kaur Claire and children, Sukhjit and Rita, Balwinder Singh Claire and wife Sukhminder Kaur Claire and sons, Justin and Jimmy, Manjit Kaur Brar and husband Kulwant Singh Brar and sons, Jasminder and Harry, and Tejinder Singh Claire and wife Balwinder Kaur Claire and sons, Tejvinder and Jaspinder. A strong-willed and outstanding woman in every way, Bibiji lived her life with dignity, humility and great determination. Her strength borne out of her deep religious beliefs and conviction and the sacrifices she made throughout the course of her life. Born in an age when most young women were trained only in sewing, cooking and homemaking, Bibiji finished both middle school and later Giani (religious) studies. Growing up in her fathers home, Bibiji had a grand childhood. As the daughter of an educated and distinguished family, Bibiji had the best things that life had to offer. She was a fun-loving child, full of humour and intelligence. Bibiji grew to become a strong, respected and responsible young woman. Happily married in 1934, she gave birth to her only child, Baljit, two years later. Shortly thereafter, life struck its first blow as her husband, Harchand Singh, died suddenly, leaving her alone to raise her infant daughter. With the help of her maternal family and her faith in God, Bibiji persevered and faced this challenge. The second blow came six years later when Bibiji lost both her brothers within a very short time period. Gone were the remaining males in her immediate family and Bibiji was left to face lifes challenges alone with her daughter in a country where being a young widow is difficult in every way. As it always was in crisis, we find the true character of a person, so it was with Bibiji. With great faith she took the grief and pain and transformed it into strong determination and positive will power to overcome her losses and to succeed. She faced life head on in her no-nonsense way, ever ready to do what was required of her. She raised her daughter in Dakha, sent her to boarding school and supported her through Sidhwa Girls College, ensuring that her child received a full education. Bibiji worked hard to give her daughter everything possible in life. During these difficult years she never lost sight of her faith or determination. She gained the love and respect of all of her family, friends and village neighbours. Even with her own pain and difficulties, Bibiji was always there with a helping hand and a caring heart, a sharp wit and wisdom, ever ready to help wherever she could. She was a source of light to those who knew her. In 1956, Bibiji celebrated the marriage of her daughter to Sardar Inderjit Singh Claire and thus began the next chapter in her life. When her grandchildren arrived, Bibiji continued her devotion to her daughters family. In 1964, the family moved to Scotland.When Bibiji joined us in 1966 with her youngest granddaughter her family and neighbours in Dakha wept at their great loss. In 1969, the family moved to Canada. For the next twenty years we all lived in Hudson Bay, Saskatchewan. In 1989, Bibiji along with her daughter and her son-in-law settled in Winnipeg. These last 35 years of life in Canada, Bibiji devoted to her family. She took care of all of us never thinking of herself. Our family will never forget all the love and care she gave us. Our memories are forever branded with images of our beloved Naniji, our Bibiji. Her hands always full... holding us, cooking for us, gardening and pulling weeds, watering the vegetables, sewing, baking, washing and putting clothes on the line, picking flowers in the fields, praying everyday, making prashad on Sundays, giving us hugs and wiping our tears. She was a great storyteller as well and her bedtime stories about life in Punjab, acting out all the characters, would make us laugh so much our stomachs would hurt. Bibiji you were a wonderful mother and grandmother and a great and spirited person. You touched us to the very core of our beings. You modelled us and made us better for having had you in our life. You taught us about love, faith, dignity, strength, pride and humility. You showed us how to have fun and laugh; you put faith before superstition, reason before anger and character before desire. Wherever we go and whatever we do Bibiji, you will be with us in our minds, our bodies and our spirits. The Claire family would like to express our deepest gratitude to the nurses, staff and doctors at both the Health Sciences Centre (4th Floor) and the Seven Oaks General Hospital (5th Floor - Units 4 and 1) for your care and compassion in making Bibijis last few weeks as comfortable as you did. We would also like to thank our extended family for their love and support during this difficult time. The Claire family. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m. Thomson "In The Park" Funeral Chapel,1291 McGillivray Blvd Religious Services to follow at Gurudwhara Singh Sabha, 400 Sturgeon Road on Tuesday, July 6 at 5:00 p.m. THOMSON "IN THE PARK" FUNERAL HOME AND CEMETERY 1291 McGillivray Blvd -925-1120

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 04, 2004