August 23, 1930 – Butiaba, Uganda
August 12, 2024 – Calgary, Canada

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Kamal Ganatra at the age of 93 years.

She was born in Uganda to Shanti and Karamchand Soni and was the second eldest of 6 siblings. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. Bipin Ganatra in 2013. She is also predeceased by her older brother Dev and her younger sister Usha.

She completed her primary and secondary education in Kampala, Uganda. She pursued her premedical studies at Bombay University from 1948 to 1950 and completed her medical training at University of Rajputana in 1955, receiving an MBBS degree. She undertook her internship at various hospitals in the UK and Scotland thereafter, and received a post graduate Diploma in Child Health in 1958 at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London, UK.

That same year, she married Dr. Bipin Ganatra in Glasgow, Scotland. She returned to Kampala, Uganda in 1959, where she and her husband set up a successful medical practice of pediatrics and tropical medicine respectively. Together, they built one of the leading practices in Kampala until 1972. The family emigrated to London, UK, forced to flee due to political unrest. They moved to Calgary in 1974 and established a busy family medicine practice until 1999. She then joined her sister, Dr. Shashi Lota, where she practiced until her retirement in 2013. Throughout her career, she was highly esteemed for her kindness and compassionate nature and dedication to her patients.

Dr. Ganatra is survived by her daughter Seema, her son in law John Valentine and her granddaughter Anika. She is also survived by her brother, Som and her sisters, Raj and Shashi. She will be missed by many nephews and nieces, particularly Sandeep, Deep, Vivek, Nikhil, Sushane and Ashwin, Sonia, Shilpa, Anita, Jyoti, Lata, Mina and Sejal.

In addition to her medical career, Dr. Ganatra had many diverse interests. She loved cooking and entertaining family and friends, and was passionate about North Indian cuisine. She maintained a healthy lifestyle and practiced yoga for much of her life. She loved nature and visiting the Rocky Mountains. She was an avid reader engaging in topics including current events, politics, history, philosophy, art and religion. She participated in many discussion groups on politics at the Calgary Public Library. She was an active volunteer in the Raga Mala Music Society of Calgary and Allaudin School of Music for many years. She also had a profound love for visual arts and music, including Indian and western classical genres. In her later years, she became a dedicated art student focusing on landscapes, still life and portraits. Her love for travel and exploration of new cultures enriched her life and she travelled extensively around the world with her husband and sisters.

Her family would like to sincerely thank her wonderful live in caregivers, Riza and Grace, who provided the utmost in care, compassion and dignity in her last few years of life.

If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Dr. Kamal Ganatra can be made to Alzheimer Society of Calgary.  https://www.alzheimercalgary.ca