Obituary of Harbachan Brar
February 15, 1939 - Kesar Singh Wala, India
August 8, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta
Sardarni Harbachan Kaur Brar of Calgary, AB, passed away peacefully surrounded by her closest loved ones on Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at the age of 84 years.
Harbachan was born in Kesar Singh Wala, Punjab, India on February 15, 1939 to Sardar Niranjan Singh and Sardarni Sahib Kaur Deol. Harbachan was predeceased by her sisters Gurcharan, Gurbachan, Harbhajan, and Beant, and brothers Gurcharan and Sardool. She is survived by her husband Sardar Bakhtawar Singh Brar, sister Gurdeep Kaur, daughter Kuldeep (Gurlal) Sandhu, and son Jagdeep (Jaswinder) Brar. She was the loving grandmother of Simran, Naminder, Sukhman, Sumeet, Puneet, Kirandeep and Navjot, a great-grandmother of two and has numerous surviving extended family members across Canada, the United States and India.
Harbachan, her husband Bakhtawar, and son Jagdeep were sponsored to move to Canada by her daughter Kuldeep in 1988 to reunite the family and for better opportunities for their future generations.
Harbachan, lovingly known by all as Biji, was a nurturing and selfless mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Biji always ensured that everyone who walked through the doors of her home felt welcome, was well fed, and taken care of. She spread her abundant love amongst all her grandchildren and was happiest surrounded by her loved ones. Biji was known for her cooking and green thumb. No one ever left her house without her famous mattri and shakarparas. Considered by her loved ones as their lucky charm, everyone, and everything thrived under her love and warmth.
Even in the face of her later diagnosis of dementia, she always had a sparkle in her eyes and a kind and gentle smile. We would like to extend a special thank you to Sarbjit “Sarah” Ghumman for her unwavering devotion, love, and care for our beloved Biji over the past four years and to the staff of the Sunshine Unit on floor 8 at Bethany Calgary. It was her wish that donations be made to various charities including the Punjabi Community Health Services organization on her behalf. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Calgary. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Harbachan’s family here.
