Surjit Kaur Dhaliwal

In the song of life, Surjit Kaur Dhaliwal was surely the composer. A very observant woman who would rather spend her time creating than talking, Surjit preferred to live in a world of harmony where everything around her made sense. In fact, she depended on her sensory world to provide her with concrete data. A free spirit, Surjit believed that actions definitely spoke for themselves. She seemed to know what fit and what didn’t fit in everything she did. Surjit perceived that all of life’s possibilities were open to her, yet she lived with a definite sense of purpose. She was a woman who was always ready to share her creations with those around her.

Surjit was born on April 14, 1935 at her maternal family home in Ghuman Kalan, Bhatinda, Punjab, India. Her parents were Chaman Singh Mann and Harnam Kaur Mann. Surjit was raised in Balloh, Bhatinda, Punjab. As a young child, Surjit was optimistic in her outlook. She sought out the possibilities in a given situation and looked for ways to apply her creative energies. Surjit rarely called attention to herself, but when she did speak out, her message was clearly understood by those around her.

Early on in her family relationships, Surjit showed that she was a tolerant and flexible person, and she got along fairly well with everyone. She was raised with two siblings. She had two younger brothers, Harcharan Singh Mann and Bhagwant Singh Mann. She was a calm and playful child who was adaptable to any situation.

A person who was sensitive to others’ feelings, modest and tolerant, Surjit had the ability to become completely devoted to another when that affection was returned. In April 1958, Surjit exchanged wedding vows with her life partner Ripudaman Singh Dhaliwal at her paternal home in Balloh, Bhatinda, Punjab.

Surjit was exceptionally sympathetic and compassionate when it came to her children. These emotional bonds made her as much a playmate as parent. She gave her family unconditional love and kindness, sharing her artistic nature by turning everyday events into creative play. Surjit was blessed with three children, Namrata, Amrita, and Veena. They were also blessed with eight grandchildren, Nina, Tasha, Nikki, Kamran, Simran, Kiran, Pavin, and Amin.

Surjit found ways to enjoy what she did for a living. She worked hard and did her best to succeed every day. Her primary occupation was as a teacher in India. In the U.S., she retired from Chevron USA Corporation. Surjit tended to be a team player, doing what was necessary in order to get the job done without imposing her will on others.

Surjit enjoyed her leisure time by taking part in various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were sewing, needle point, knitting and crocheting, cooking, and arts & crafts. Surjit was content to enjoy her hobbies alone but was also willing to share her interests with others. She was relaxed in her approach to her leisure time because she wanted to savor the present moment.

Surjit’s faith was important to her. She was a member of the Sikh community her whole life. Surjit was a very religious traditional woman. She prayed everyday and had an unfaltering belief and faith in God. Surjit's passionate commitment to upholding her values placed her at home in her religion, where she took comfort in the company of others who believed as she did.

Because she loved the world around her, Surjit enjoyed traveling and going away on vacations. It was an opportunity for her to kick back and relax, to visit new places and experience new things. Surjit put her personal trademark on any leisure planning that she undertook. Favorite vacations included Rajasthan, India, Hawaii, Texas, and Thailand.

When Surjit’s retirement finally arrived in 1991, she was well prepared. In retirement, she found new pleasure in spending time with her kids and grandkids. Even in retirement, Surjit continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. In these later chapters of her life, she became active in the community, feeling fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her and simply enjoying what she had worked so hard to attain.

Surjit passed away on April 14, 2010 at Kaiser Hospital in Antoich, California. God wanted her to come back home. She is survived by her husband R.D. Dhaliwal, children Namrata, Amrita, and Veena, and her eight beautiful grandchildren, Nina, Tasha, Nikki, Kamran, Simran, Kiran, Pavin, and Amin. Services were held at San Jose Sikh Temple (Gurdwara) in San Jose, California. Surjit's ashes was scattered in the ocean as she wanted.

Surjit was a good woman, a kind woman, and a practical woman who will for all time be remembered by her family and friends as being warm and deeply caring. She leaves behind her a treasury of life-long friendships and wonderful memories. Surjit always had much to give and was able to make those connections in her life where her gifts were appreciated. Surjit was a faithful, practical and loving person. Everyone whose life she touched will always remember Surjit Kaur Dhaliwal.