FILE PHOTO - Dalvir Nahal

(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)

The Vernon community is in mourning following the death of a city councillor yesterday.

Coun. Dalvir Nahal died Sept. 5, after a long battle with cancer. She was active with the Sikh Temple and also organized the annual Bollywood fundraiser in support of local charities. She was born in India and raised in Vernon. 

“On behalf of the city, we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends and loved ones. Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time,” said Mayor Victor Cumming, in a press release.

Premier John Horgan said via Twitter he was "deeply saddened" to learn of Nahal's death.

"I was pleased to award her a multiculturalism and anti-racism award in 2019 for her exemplary work teaching Sikh culture and history. My thoughts are with her family and community," he wrote.

Friend Richard Rolke wrote on Facebook, "as she fought illness, I would often tell her to put city council business aside and to look after herself but she was determined to keep advocating for the community she loved. And she was one of my greatest supporters especially when I faced life challenges a few years ago."

Dalvir was first elected to Vernon Council in 2014. During her tenure, Nahal served on many city committees including the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, Audit Committee, Biosolids Advisory Committee, Greater Vernon Advisory Committee, North Okanagan Regional District, Okanagan Basin Water Board, and the Tourism Advisory Committee, according to the city.

She also served as a representative of city council with the Arts Council of North Okanagan, Columbia Shuswap North Okanagan Regional Hospital Board, Drought Response Team, Kelowna Airport Advisory Committee, North Okanagan Regional Library, O’Keefe Ranch and Historical Society, Regional Agricultural Advisory Committee, and the Vernon Winter Carnival, according to the city.

“Over the last two terms that I have had the privilege of serving our community with Dalvir, we have become good friends,” said Coun. Brian Quiring, in the press release. “The thing that always struck me about her, and that I admired, was that she always had hope.”

“Despite her illness, she never wavered in her commitment to this community,” said Coun. Kari Gares, in the press release. “This is a great loss for Vernon which will be felt for years to come. She was truly an inspirational woman who dedicated her life to helping all people, no matter the challenges she faced personally. Her legacy is one of kindness and hope.”

“My family’s thoughts are with the Nahal family as are our deepest condolences,” said Coun. Kelly Fehr, in the press release. “No words can ease the burden of losing a loved one.”

“I was in awe of her strength,” said Coun. Scott Anderson, in the press reelease. “She faced mortality not with a great display of self-pity, but by worrying about others, the future of Vernon, and her dog. I can’t pretend to understand why she had to go in the big plan of things, but I’ll miss her always.”

“I am devastated by the loss of Dalvir,” said Coun. Akbal Mund, in the press release. “Her courage in her long battle with cancer gave us all hope. Rest in peace my friend. We, as a community, will always remember your unselfish dedication to others.”

Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu said “this is such a big loss for our community,” via Facebook.

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