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GILL, KULDIP

Passed away peacefully on May 10th, 2009 at Abbotsford Regional Hospital after a brief illness. Kuldip was predeceased by her brother Stan in 2006. She will be dearly missed by her adoring husband Jim and was a doting sister to brothers Kalvan ( Julie) and Jerry. Also missing her are nieces Kelly ( Willy), Lori, Lana(Dave), Jasmine, Wiggy and Robin; nephews Jerry Jr. (Stacey), and Gordy. Aunty will also be missed my many great nieces and nephews.

Kuldip was born to Bhagwant Kaur Gill, and Indar Singh Gill in Faridkot district Punjab India on February 18th, 1934. Kuldip came to British Columbia in 1939 as a young girl with her mother and brother Kalvan on the Empress of Japan. The family first resided in New Westminster and then Mission, Ladner, finally settling back in Mission where her father worked in the lumber industry. She attended school in Mission and was among the last class to graduate from the old Mission High School in 1952.

Kuldip worked in BC's forestry and mining for 20 years before returning to academia.

Kuldip's most recent passion was her extensive literary biography of which includes awards for: 2005 - Honorary Degree Doctors of Letters ( D. Litt), 2003 UBC The Norman F. Rothstein Memorial Scholarship (Sept 2003) in recognition of academic achievement. 2002 The Banff Centre ALTA - 3 bursaries in recognition of her work as a writer. 2002 - The Queens Golden Jubilee Medal ( For service to the community and the country) 2000- BC 2000 Book award for Dharma Rasa, her book of poetry.

Her literary works include manuscripts in progress (specifically her second book "Valley Sutra"), scheduled for fall publication, poetry anthologies, journals, non-fiction articles, as well as her research for the various organizations she belonged to. Of late, Kuldip taught creative writing at UCFV and was the first "Poet in Residence".

Some notable memberships Kuldip held were: The League of Canadian Poets; The Writers Union of Canada; The Federation of BC Writers.

Kuldip received a Doctorate in Anthropology in 1988. She also earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing in 2004.

Kuldip held many titles of which were: Past President - Vancouver YWCA; Past President - Immigration and Visible Minority Women of BC; Member - Federal Cross Culture Round Table on Security; Served on the Vancouver City Police Diversity Advisory Committee as well as RCMP Cultural Advisory Committee.

The family would like to thank Mission Memorial and Abbotsford Regional Hospital staff for their gentle care during her last days. There will be a family celebration of Kuldip's life and memorial will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Kuldip's memory to Mission Memorial Hospital or charity of your choice.



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