DURGA ARUN OGALE

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DURGA ARUN OGALE

(nee DAMLE)

1941 - 2024

It is with deep regret we announce the peaceful passing of Durga (aka Nanda), at age 82.

She is survived by spouse Arun, children, Mahesh and Dilip (Lynne), grandchildren, Finn and Alexandra, and brother Vinayak. She was predeceased by parents Narhar and Sumati Damle, and older siblings, Manik, Meera, and Madhav Damle.

She was born in Bombay (Mumbai), India. She graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering following school and college in Bombay in an era when it was uncommon for women to enter Engineering. She worked from 1963 to 1965 in Bombay. She was an enthusiast in Mountaineering and climbed the Deo Tibba peak (19,687 feet) in the Himalayas in 1964.

She went by ship to Genoa and on to the USA in 1965, joining her brother, Vinayak in New York. She did additional courses at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and worked as an engineer in New York. She loved travelling and did a cross-country driving trip across the USA with family/friends.

She met Arun in 1973 and got married in New York. Prior to marriage, she did a tour of Iceland and Scandinavian countries with her sister, Meera. She moved to Winnipeg where she worked with Wardrop Engineering till 1975 until birth of Mahesh. She and children moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with Arun, who was transferred there by Teshmont in 1978. She really enjoyed her time in Brazil where she learnt Portuguese and made new friends. She and family travelled all over Brazil via bus tours and air. She and family returned to Winnipeg in 1983. After three years in Winnipeg, she and family moved to Delhi, India in 1986 following Arun’s work transfer. She enjoyed her time in India meeting family and friends and travelling around. In 1987 the family did a round the world trip via Thailand, Japan, USA, and UK. In 1988, she and family returned to Winnipeg. She continued taking care of the home while children continued their schooling and college. She got a diploma as computer analyst and programmer in 1992 at Red River College. She volunteered at the Mennonite Centre for a year utilizing acquired computer skills.

She travelled a lot, including tours of France with son, Mahesh; China, Bali Indonesia, Northeast India with sister, Meera; and Andaman Islands in India with friend, Shyamal.

She was deeply involved with Winnipeg’s Marathi community, which was very small initially but has since grown substantially, and with the larger Indian Community through the Hindu Society of Manitoba.

She volunteered at the CNIB Friday Coffee Group for many years until 2018. She was a member of the Match Fund (now Equality Fund) which helps empower women. She also helped her friend Farida during Inter-Faith gatherings. She was a member of the Reh-Fit Centre since 1989 and regularly visited it to maintain fitness. She was a member of Smita Gupta’s Yoga Group and participated regularly.

She diligently took care of her family and was a very friendly person, happy, outgoing, chatting with people including strangers, and helping out people in need. She visited India every few years and maintained contact with close relatives and friends. Her family and close relatives and friends are going to deeply miss her presence.

Dementia (Alzheimers) caused her cognitive capabilities to slowly but relentlessly decline over the years. She was hospitalized at Victoria Hospital for a month in January-February 2024 with COVID and again for two days in April in Urgent Care. She was admitted to the Grace Hospital because of general weakness on June 3 and passed away three days later on June 6.

Private Funeral and Cremation have taken place.

The family is thankful to the doctors and staff at the Victoria Hospital and Grace Hospital for the care provided to Durga and to WRHA home care staff for providing care in the home.

Donations in Durga’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer Society or CNIB.

Tributes: www.thomsoninthepark.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 15, 2024, Jun 15, 2024