With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Tara V. Sampat, fondly known as Taraben, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, in Winnipeg, at the age of 92.
Taraben will be lovingly remembered and missed by her many nieces, nephews, and a wide circle of friends and chosen family across India, the UK, the USA, Canada, and beyond. She was predeceased by her parents, Vasanji Mulji Sampat and Premkorbai Vasanji Sampat, and her five siblings.
Born on February 7, 1934, in Mumbai, India, she completed her B.A. and taught high school there for 13 years. Hearing that teachers were in demand in Canada, Taraben applied to a Montessori school that was about to open in St. Vital, and emigrated in October 1968. She taught at St. Vital Montessori School for 18 years, then continued to work at a downtown daycare supporting children with autism and other special needs. Over a 43-year teaching career - 13 in India and 30 in Canada - she touched countless young lives, and many of her former students and their parents stayed in touch with her long after she retired in 1999.
A believer in building a strong community, Taraben devoted many hours to volunteering, including at local nursing homes. She was a founding member of the Hindu Society of Manitoba, where she served as committee member, Board Member, and Trustee from 1970 to 1990. She was also a founding member of the Gujarati Cultural Society of Manitoba and later served as President (1983–1984). She also volunteered at the Hindu Senior Centre, and her passion for health and wellness led her and other fellow volunteers to establish an endowment fund with the Winnipeg Foundation supporting the Wellness Program at the Hindu Society of Manitoba. In recent years she remained active in the Hindu Seniors Wellness and Yoga Classes and joined the online Ramayan reading every Tuesday evening. As a respected Elder in the community, she was often sought out for her wisdom and counsel. As a lasting expression of her lifelong commitment to giving back, a scholarship fund will be established in Taraben’s name for students graduating out of Grade 12 with excellent academic achievements and entering 1st year University.
An avid traveller, Taraben explored Australia, Europe, New Zealand, Singapore, and many Indian states on her frequent trips to Ma Bharat; her favourite journey, the Alaskan cruise, was one she took several times. She loved socializing and kept in touch with friends that she made along the way. Her many hobbies included tie-dye, painting, sewing, knitting, and handcrafting, and she especially enjoyed listening to music, playing sports, and spending time with both young children and elders in the community.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the charity of your choice. Condolences and messages of remembrance may be left on Taraben's obituary page at Thomson “in the Park” Funeral Home.
At her request, a private cremation ceremony will be held. A public Shanti Paath will take place on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the Hindu Temple and Dr. Raj Pandey Hindu Centre, 999 St. Anne's Road, Winnipeg.
Om Shanti Om
