Kamlesh Kumari-Lobo

Kamlesh Kumari-Lobo, age 84, of Farmington Hills, Michigan passed away on 3 April 2025 after electing hospice care at home when faced with a diagnosis of metastatic cancer.

Kamlesh was born at home (21 Ring Street, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanganyika) on 21 February 1941 to Sardar Awtar Singh and Indar Kaur Singh. The first school Kamlesh attended was an all girls Muslim school in Kohat, Pakistan, where she learned Urdu as a formal language and used to write the alphabet and do math problems on a wooden board. In early 1947, the family moved back to Dar-Es-Salaam where Kamlesh attended the Indian primary school and secondary schools, obtaining the Cambridge overseas school certification at both the O and A levels ending in 1960 with Principal levels in Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, and botany and Subsidiary levels in English language and Math.

Kamlesh was fortunate to obtain a scholarship from ASPAU for continued education at Elmira College in New York. She graduated from college in 1964, majoring in Biology and Chemistry. Kamlesh went on to attend Makerere Medical School of the University of East Africa in Kampala, Uganda from 1964 to 1969 on full scholarship from the government of Tanganyika (now Tanzania). She did a year of internship from 1969 to 1970 at Ocean Road Hospital and Muhimbili Hospital in Dar-Es-Salaam.

Kamlesh met Athanasius (Anty) Lobo at Makerere Medical School while they were classmates. They were married on 13 April 1970 in Kericho, Kenya. Three months following the wedding, Kamlesh and Anty moved to Michigan. They came to Highland Park General Hospital and did a repeat internship mid 1970 – mid 1971. Kamlesh did a one-year residency in anatomic pathology at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, followed by a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology from 1972-1975. She became a Fellow of the American College of OB/GYN (FACOG) in 1978 and a citizen of the United States that same year. Kamlesh was a practicing OB/GYN at Providence Hospital until her retirement on 1 April 2013.

Kamlesh valued voraciously reading books, playing card or board games, cooking endless meals that were devoured by everyone, supporting the performing arts with particular appreciation for theatre and dance, traveling around the world as much as possible, and nurturing all of the bonds she had formed with family and friends. She continually expressed her gratitude in being able to spend precious time with loved ones. Kamlesh always sought to be present to share in the joy and wonder of celebrating special occasions, and she was also a consistent source of comfort and care when those needs presented, no matter the time or place. Kamlesh was most grateful for any time she had with the Familia, and she demonstrated her love and loyalty with candor, humor and even a bit of sass.

Kamlesh is survived by her husband, Anty Lobo, her children, Ekta Monica Wilcox (Chuck Wilcox), Remy Rosario Lobo (Denise Kim), and her grandchildren, Natalie Kumari Wilcox, Will Tess Wilcox, Chelsea Inder Wilcox, Zachary Tiade Lobo, and Melissa Jiade Lobo. She is also survived by her brother, Ravinder Singh (Jessie “Bubbly” Singh), as well as nephews, nieces, cousins, family and friends living all around the world.

Kamlesh is preceded in death by her parents, Awtar Singh and Indar Kaur, as well as her brother Ranbir Singh and best friend / sister in life, Bhupinder Singh.

Per Kamlesh’s wishes and in keeping with her Sikh faith, there will not be a funeral at this time. However, a memorial will be planned for Summer 2025 where family and friends will be invited to celebrate Kamlesh’s life and share treasured memories with her loved ones.

As described by her own mother, Jhaijee, Kamlesh was a true Sikh. She lived a full life with her husband and children, and she had a passion for her profession that allowed her to serve women and hence their children. Much like her father, Pitajee, Kamlesh believed strongly in education, and she encouraged everyone around her to also pursue education. Kamlesh believed in being able to stand on her own feet, independent and free to choose her own way of life. She was a hero and role model to many, even if she didn’t realize it herself. Kamlesh showed us a way to dream and achieve that dream through unconditional love.

For those who are inclined to do so, memorial donations can be made in Kamlesh’s name to any organization supporting the needs of women and children. Memorial donations may also be made to Sikh Society of Michigan, specifically the Gurudwara Sahib in Madison Heights, Michigan or to the Cranbrook Schools Fund.