Gurmail Kaur Gill Obituary (1950 - 2015)

As we mourn the loss of our loving mother, caring sister, devoted wife, irreplaceable friend, and unequaled soul, we also celebrate her life and beauty as person. Gurmail was born in Ludhiana, Punjab, India in 1950. Daughter of Gurdev Singh & Pritam Kaur Grewal. She was known for both her love of learning and magnetic personality. The power of her contagious smile was only exceeded by her determination and will. Gurmail was a trail blazer. The first in her family to receive a higher education, and one of the first young women in her village to go to university. Gurmail graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Home Sciences from Punjab Agricultural University in 1971. Married in 1976, she began her family and her journey around the world. She spent time studying in London and ultimately arrived in in Salt Lake City. Her first son, Amarinder was born in 1979. Her second, Victor, in 1983. Her love of learning continued at the University of Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in 1985. Shortly thereafter, she began an accomplished career at the University of Utah, in Pediatric Neonatology. She completed 34 years of services and helped countless people with her research, examinations, and caring touch. She was exceptional in her field. Nobel Laurite Mario Capecchi gave a direct acknowledgement to Gurmail in one of his papers on the path to his prize winning work. In addition to the numerous recognitions for service to her department during her tenure, she was appointed to the University of Utah Staff Council in 2007 on which she served for 3 years. Gurmail was a successful professional and academic, but her heart was always with her family. In Gurmail's presence you were always close to a beautiful smile, warm hug, and delicious meal. Her nurturing touch was indiscriminant. She gave the same love and attention to anyone lucky enough to be around her. She was always someone you could talk to, always someone that cared to listen, and always ready to help. Last year Gurmail was set to retire, but those plans were interrupted. She and her family were shook when she was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, one of the most aggressive forms of brain cancer. Gurmail fought cancer with the same determination, will, and positivity that she had lived through all of her life. Even through this struggle Gurmail remained the rock that everyone in the family would lean on. Gurmail spent her last year and last days surrounded by family. On July 17th she passed away, embraced in hugs by her loved ones. She is survived by her children; Amarinder "Sunny" Gill (Melissa), Victor Gill (Tamanna), her four grandchildren; Sophia, Aasha, Isaac, and Akash, her beloved dog; Quik, brothers; Avtar (Charnjit), Baljinder (Gurmeet), sister Harbhinder (Baldev) and 6 nephews and 5 nieces. A viewing will be held on Friday, July 24, 2015 beginning at 10:00 am at Jenkins-Soffe South Valley, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway (10600 S), South Jordan, Utah 84095. Funeral services will begin at 11:00 am. Funeral Home: Jenkins-Soffe South Valley 1007 W. South Jordan Pkwy. South Jordan, UT 84095