People
Satinder (Sindi) Kaur Ahluwalia Hawkins [1958-2010]
by IAN BAILEY & JUSTINE HUNTER
In the last days of her life, former B.C. cabinet minister Sindi Hawkins - Satinder Kaur (Sindi) Hawkins, née Ahluwalia - was ill at ease because of things left undone, says her sister.
"Sindi had some concerns that there were things that she started that were left unfinished and none of them were her personal matters. They were her professional work and especially her work for cancer," said Rupie Kaur Sachdeva.
A nurse - she spent 12 years involved in the treatment of cancer patients - and lawyer before being elected to represent the riding of Okanagan West in 1996, Sindi was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2004. She ended a political career that saw her serve in such roles as British Columbia's Deputy Speaker and Minister of Health Planning in 2008.
But she launched into a new vocation of cancer advocacy. As co-chair of the B.C. Cancer Foundation's Tour of Courage in 2007 and with a new endowment fund, her efforts were linked to helping raise raise nearly $3-million for the foundation. She also brought cycling champion Lance Armstrong to the province for a 2007 fundraiser.
In an interview, Rupie said her 52-year-old sister was worried about a program to provide housing for the families of those being treated for cancer.
Premier Gordon Campbell helped. Over the weekend, he travelled to Calgary to talk to Sindi, who was with family in the city. "(He) assured her that everything she had done would not be forgotten and the projects she had started would be completed, and just relieved her of all the responsibilities she felt were left undone," Rupie said.
"Once he told her, she was very, very relieved," she said, adding the chat "absolutely" helped her sister. "It was the last part of her life she felt she needed to get done, and once her work was done, I guess she slept."
On Tuesday, Rupie said the Premier's office sent along a copy of a press release stating that the B.C. Cancer Agency's Centre for the Southern Interior would be renamed in her honour - officially, for Sindi Ahluwalia Hawkins - referring, in part, to her maiden name.
"We read it to her, and she passed away very peacefully around noon. All of our family was sitting with her," she said. "It was a very peaceful passing, and I hope she will be remembered for many, many things. She has had a very, very long fight and now she is resting very peacefully. She has worked very, very hard for the people of B.C. and I hope they will all have good memories of her."
People spoke fondly and with admiration of Sindi Tuesday (September 21, 2010) as news of her passing was released.
"(She) was taken from us far too early. She had much more to give and we had more to learn from her," Premier Campbell said in a statement.
"Today is a sombre day for British Columbia; we have lost an inspirational person, an advocate, a role model and a great community leader."
NDP Leader Carole James remembered how Sindi had reached out when Ms. James was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2006.
"Sindi was there with support, ideas and encouragement, and I know she played that role with so many others across our province and country. I will always remember her grace and good humour, warmth and tenacity of spirit."
Liberal MLA Linda Reid's friendship with Sindi spanned 14 years. They shared an office in the legislature when the Liberals were in opposition. "She was effervescent," Ms. Reid said.
She noted that Sindi had been a tireless fundraiser for cancer long before she was diagnosed with the disease. She began her career as an oncology nurse before turning to politics. "She would have understood the progression with alarming clarity," Ms. Reid said.
Three weeks ago the pair met at a cancer fundraiser where Sindi, always the clothes horse, was decked out in a "gorgeous little fuchsia outfit. She looked magnificent."
Former Liberal MLA Sheila Orr said she stayed in touch with Sindi throughout her illness and that she always maintained her love of life.
"I don't think I've met anyone with such a passion for life, whether it was for people, clothes or good food."
The president of the B.C. Cancer Foundation expressed sorrow for the passing of the organization's "good friend," but said the results of her work will live on.
"Sindi was a tireless champion of the foundation and truly made a difference in the lives of cancer patients and their families," Douglas Nelson said.
"Her legacy will be felt throughout British Columbia and especially in the Southern Interior. We will miss her."
[Courtesy: The Globe & Mail]
BIO - Wikipedia
Satinder Kaur (Sindi) Hawkins, née Ahluwalia (born September 15, 1958 in New Delhi, India, died September 21, 2010 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada) was a Canadian politician, who was the British Columbia Liberal Party M.L.A. for Okanagan West from 1996 to 2001 and Kelowna-Mission from 2001 to 2009.
She was first elected in 1996 and has been re-elected in 2001 and 2005. She served as Minister of Health Planning and as Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations.
As Minister of Health Planning, she was responsible for a long-term strategy to train more doctors and nurses in British Columbia. As a result of this planning, B.C. has added medical school campuses at the University of Northern British Columbia - Prince George, the University of Victoria, and at U.B.C. Okanagan in Kelowna.The B.C. Liberal government has also expanded the number of nurses being trained around the province.
Before being elected to provincial office, Sindi was a registered nurse in general duty, intensive care, management, education and consulting. She also has a post-graduate certificate in neuroscience nursing from the Montreal Neurological Hospital. She was recognized as one of the first nurses in Canada to be certified in neuroscience nursing by the Canadian Nurses Association.
She then earned a law degree from the University of Calgary and set up her own company as a lawyer with an interest in medical-legal issues.
In 2004, she was diagnosed with leukemia and waged a high-profile battle with the illness. She was saved as a result of a bone-marrow transplant from her sister. Sindi campaigned for cancer research and bone marrow donation awareness.
On November 17, 2008, Hawkins announced that she would not run for re-election.
On September 21, 2010 she passed away due to her cancer.
Conversation about this article
1: I.J. Singh (New York, U.S.A.), September 22, 2010, 11:53 AM.
Gurbani asks each of us, "Eh sareera meriya iss jug meh aaye ke kya tudh karam kamaya?" In other words, in this life, what footprints have you left in the sands of time? Sindi's life stands out as one of not just doing doing well but also doing good.
2: T. Sher Singh (Mount Forest, Ontario, Canada), September 22, 2010, 1:34 PM.
Truly, a life well lived.