Obituary of Veena Khosla

Veena Khosla passed away peacefully into God's presence on Thursday, June 9, 2022, at eighty two years old. Veena radiated friendliness and warmth to all who knew her; everyone was welcome in her home. She is forever cherished as a loving wife, aunt, sister, mother and grandmother. Veena consistently elevated the needs of her loved ones above her own. She expressed unconditional love rooted in her faith in Christ and shared this love throughout her career as a nurse and to her family and friends. Born in 1939, Veena was raised in Punjab, India. Education for girls frequently ended at a young age but she received the blessing of her family to continue with college and earn a degree in nursing at the Christian Medical College (CMC) in Ludhiana. She then went on to New Delhi, where she studied for several more years and qualified to teach nursing upon her return to CMC in Ludhiana. She cherished her seven siblings. She and her elder brother, Bakhtawer, were just two years apart and were close all her life. As young children, they played together in their hometown of Ghorewaha. In their late teens, they regularly shared a bicycle riding to Tanda for classes and then enjoyed a season living and working at CMC in Ludhiana. Veena left India in her early thirties because "she already accomplished everything she wanted career-wise there." She was ready for new challenges, had the support of her family and the company of Bakhtawer and his wife, Bimla, who moved to Halifax a year earlier. Veena once reflected, "I wanted to feel the world and what it must be like in Canada with all the Christians." She was a farmer's daughter from rural India, full of strength and grit. She was progressive, adaptive and highly educated with an entire career under her belt when she came to Halifax. Once there, she learned to drive and began her new season as a registered nurse. She also enjoyed spending time with Bakhtawer's young family. After working for two years at the Halifax Infirmary she went back to India and married Rakesh Khosla in October, 1975. He completed his Masters Degree in Psychology and joined her in Halifax in early 1976. They enjoyed traveling together to India, and looked forward to trips within Canada, the U.S., and elsewhere. Veena enjoyed sightseeing, but mostly enjoyed visiting with family and friends. Veena & Rakesh read together, prayed together, attended church events together, visited neighbors together, and watched the news together regularly. They talked through everything together. Veena loved Rakesh deeply and they showed mutual honor and care for one another. By 1980, they were living the dream of family life in Canada with two sons, Peter and Paul, with work they enjoyed plus lots of gatherings with their Indian community and church family on evenings and weekends. Veena was always industrious: from speaking three languages, cooking with excellence in multiple styles, knitting, reading, and quilting to supporting her husband's various projects, including campaigning with him during two political elections. But her church involvement, including serving on boards and guiding her boy's faith journey, was constant. Veena was exceptionally proud of her husband, her boys, their families, and her grandkids. She cared for any guest who came into her home as she would her family. Perhaps it is most accurate to say she loved everyone equally but differently. On April 25, 2022, she received a bleak cancer diagnosis. In Veena style with strength and calm she later said, "our time here is short. I'm going from this temporary place to my permanent home in Heaven.” Thankfully she leaves a permanent legacy--unconditional Christlike love. Veena was predeceased by her father, Rahmat Khan Chaudhary and mother Elizabeth (ud-Din), brothers Umar Daraz, Nayab, and sister Iftakhar Chaudhary. She is survived by her husband, Rakesh; her sons, Peter (Missi), Paul (Diana); her grandchildren, Elijah-Paul, Ezekiel-James, Isabel and Judsen, and her siblings Bakhtawer, Sheela, Gulsher and Kanwar. Funeral service will be held at Faith City Church, 6225 Summit Street, Halifax on Tuesday, June 14th at 1pm with reception to follow. Rev. Paul Khosla and Rev. Bill Wozney officiating. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Children's Fund at Faith City Church: FaithHalifax.ChurchCenter.com/Giving