It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Gurdev Kaur Bains at Cairnsmore Place on Wednesday, May 3rd, 2017, where she spent the last eighteen months of her life.
Gurdev was born in Bhuno, Punjab, India, on September 1st, 1934. She grew up in a large family of three brothers and four sisters. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from Khalsa College for Women in Amritsar, followed by a Bachelor of Education from Dev Samaj College for Women, in Ferozepur, Punjab in 1959. After teaching in Khurdpur, she transferred to Nangal Kalan in Hoshiarpur, in 1960, where she became engaged to Surjit Singh Bains. Gurdev and Surjit were married on April 7th, 1962. Gurdev continued to teach in Nangal Kalan while Surjit worked in Victoria, BC. In 1970, Gurdev moved with their three children to Victoria to join her husband. Their fourth child was born in 1971. The family moved to Duncan, BC, in 1972, where Gurdev spent the rest of her life.
Gurdev was predeceased by her parents Amar Singh and Bachint Kaur Sahota, her brother Daljit Singh Sahota (late Gian Kaur), and her sister Ajit Kaur Kang (Jarnal Singh).
She is survived by her husband Surjit Singh, daughters Ravinder (Gurnam) and Manjeet, sons Inderjit and Iqbal (Wendy), grandchildren Priya, Ravi, Nina and Amit, brothers Gurdev Singh Sahota (Jagjit Kaur) and Surinder Singh Sahota (Jaswinder Kaur), sisters Parkash Kaur Sandhu (late Jaswant Singh), Mohinder Kaur Pooni (late Harkirat Singh), and Savinder Kaur Bains (Ranjit Singh), and their families. She had a very close bond with her sisters-in-law Satvinder Kaur Dhailwal (Satwant Singh), Satwant Kaur Dhailwal (Charanjit Singh), late Amarjit Kaur Jhooti (late Rashwale Singh), and Avtar Kaur Aujla (Harsimran Singh) and their families.
Gurdev kept track of everyone, even in her final days. Gurdev devoted her life to her family, taking great care of her children and in-laws. Her great love for family and friends was reflected in the way she devoted countless hours creating things for others to enjoy. She had a talent for cooking, crocheting, knitting and sewing. At every celebration, she enjoyed making mithyai and lungar with her friends at the Gurdwara. She was delighted to welcome new children into the family with handmade blankets and outfits. We were very blessed to have her in our life and will miss her dearly.
We would like to thank all the caring staff at Cairnsmore Place, who looked after Gurdev in her final years.
A memorial will be held at the New Life Baptist Church in Duncan, BC, on May 13, 2017, with doors opening at 10:00 AM and the memorial starting at 11:00 AM, followed by a private cremation and a service at the Duncan Sikh Gurdwara.
Online condolences may be made at www.hwwallacecbc.com