Obituary of Kamla Kumar

Dr. Kamla Kumar

July 10, 1930 – March 21, 2024

Kamla Kumar, 93, passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Scottsdale, Arizona on March 21, 2024.  Kamla is survived by her sons Rasha and Aseem, and many beloved nieces and nephews throughout the world.  She is predeceased by her husband, Dr. Darshan Kumar, and all her siblings.

Kamla, who was nicknamed "Sammi" by her family, was born to parents Balkishan Dass and Laxmi Garg of Dariba Kalan on July 10, 1930, in New Delhi, India.  She was the second youngest in a family of nine children.  Sammi was intelligent and driven, and forged her own path in life.  She pursued her medical degree at the prestigious Lady Hardinge Medical College, graduating in 1953.  While studying medicine, she met her true love, Sukh Darshan Kumar, and they were married on May 7, 1957. 

The next few years saw them pursuing their medical careers together.  From 1957 to 1959 they resided in Brighton, England, were Kamla specialized in pediatrics (MRCP).   There, they had their first son, Rasha.  They moved back to India for a short time, where they welcomed their second son, Aseem, before relocating to Kaduna, Nigeria (1963-1964).

Seeking opportunity abroad, they found positions in Ottawa, Canada and moved across the ocean in June, 1964.  They eventually settled in 1966 in Regina, Canada, both opening medical practices (and even in the same building!).  Kamla had a successful practice for many years, specializing in both Pediatrics and Allergy.  Many wonderful friendships were made over the years.  However, tragedy struck in 1980, with Darshan passing away from cancer, a terrible loss for the family.

Kamla bravely started the next chapter of her life in unfamiliar (but warmer) surroundings, moving to Arizona in August, 1985.   Of course, she required her two sons to also relocate there, which they did.  She practiced Pediatrics in the valley over the next 14 years, retiring in January, 1998.  Kamla was passionate about investing, spending many hours researching, and buying and selling securities.   She also loved gardening and cooking, especially (spicey and delicious) Indian dishes.  She traveled extensively, returning to India many times to be reunited with loved ones, as well as to Canada, Europe, Africa, Central America, and throughout the United States.