In Loving Memory of Sangeeta Bhatnagar

We remember and celebrate the remarkable life of Sangeeta—a woman whose compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication to humanity left a profound mark on the world.  Sangeeta passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of doing good, being good, and inspiring others to do the same. Her impact will undoubtedly continue to ripple through the lives she touched.

Sangeeta’s family emigrated to northern Ontario in Canada, just before Sangeeta was born.  Being the first Canadian in the family was a distinction she was very proud of!  She grew up part of the first Indian family in Trenton, Ontario, a small, military town.  Her devoted parents encouraged her to participate in the entire Canadian experience, and she grew up loving and respecting the family’s adopted country.  From an early age, Sangeeta’s kind heart, strength and natural leadership qualities were evident. 

After graduating high school, Sangeeta enrolled at Western University where she quickly made her mark by organizing and leading supportive student circles to help people connect and grow. She rose to become President of the Western Indo Canada Students Association (WICSA), elevating the organization to new heights by hosting vibrant events and large-scale gatherings that brought the campus community together.

Drawn to the energy of music, Sangeeta fulfilled her desire to be a disc jockey at the Western Radio Station. Her joyful spirit and love of Indian music made her the perfect DJ for WICSA’s regular radio show, where she spun popular hits with flair. Known for her decisive charm and signature giggle, she’d playfully switch tracks whenever a song wore out its welcome—keeping the vibe fresh and fun. 

As an adult, Sangeeta often spoke with warmth, pride and reverence about her deep love for her family and the lessons they taught her. Their guidance, both spoken and shown through everyday moments, became the foundation of her values and shaped the way she showed up in the world—with empathy, wisdom, and grace.

Sangeeta was a visionary who turned empathy into action. Her life's mission was to give back, not as a fleeting act of kindness, but as a relentless pursuit of education and hope for others.  Whether it be through school, a book, self-discovery or mentoring, Sangeeta was passionate about fostering growth and change through learning.  Be it raising funds for libraries across oceans or ensuring families closer to home had food on the table, Sangeeta saw need and met it with purpose.

Those who knew Sangeeta will remember her as a powerful force—an exceptional servant leader who brought people together not just with words, but through passion and perseverance.  Her ability to unite others toward a common cause multiplied the impact of every vision she led. She never gave up, never looked away, and never said something can’t be achieved. 

She believed that we should serve and impact others in all that we do, and brilliantly and creatively pursued a multi-faceted career that allowed her to do just that.  Through SB Global, she helped connect employees with employers.  She authored books and articles, conducted professional coaching, and instructed client groups and students in emotional intelligence and adaptability training.  Sangeeta loved working with people to help them identify their strengths and bring out their best.  She volunteered her time and energy to chair and grow the Greater Toronto Area Contact Centre Association (GTACC) from a small grassroots organization to the leading industry group in Canada, for knowledge sharing, development, and most passionately, to generate funds for various causes. 

To everyone she met, Sangeeta was a true inspiration.  She was the heart and soul.  She touched lives in quiet, powerful ways—uplifting people with her words and deeds, helping them believe in their own worth, and celebrating their achievements and contributions. She was a connector, a guide, and a driver of positive momentum. Whether helping someone find their footing, move in new directions or encouraging them to chase their dreams, Sangeeta supported and guided with open arms and a generous heart.  She stayed connected with everyone, always the first to offer support, never asking for anything in return.  Unfailingly humble and modest, she lived each day with gratitude, finding every opportunity to express her gratitude for others. Sangeeta was never shy about standing up for what she believed in. Her principles were her compass, and she followed them unwaveringly.

Sangeeta’s legacy already lives on in the books that now fill the shelves of distant libraries, in the lives nourished by her generosity, and in the hearts of all who were inspired by her strength and were the recipients of her kindness. She leaves behind a world that is infinitely better because of her - and a call for each of us to carry forward the torch of service she so brightly lit. 

Among her most treasured causes was the fight to give young children and girls in historically low-income countries access to education.  Sangeeta believed deeply that literacy was the key to reducing poverty and improving gender equality.  For girls in India, for example, if they have not learned to read by Grade 3, 96% never will.  Very few adolescent and teen girls finish high school, pressured by parents and society to drop out and marry young.  Sangeeta worked tirelessly to not just raise money—she raised awareness, rallied communities, and inspired change.

In tribute to Sangeeta’s legacy and the causes she held dear, her family has established this memorial fundraiser through Room to Read.  This initiative aims to celebrate her life of service and continue her work by providing the gift of education to girls in India - ensuring her mission of empowerment lives on.  Those who wish to honor Sangeeta’s memory are kindly invited to contribute to the Room to Read Sangeeta Bhatnagar Memorial and help transform lives in her name.  We will share how our contributions are used and the ongoing impact.

Our combined memorial donations can honour Sangeeta in ways such as:

We will also honour Sangeeta with a digital book dedication through Literacy Cloud, a digital library that enables teachers and children to access original, high-quality children's storybooks in their local language.  

World changes start with educated children.

Sangeeta may no longer walk among us, but her light—warm, bold, humble and enduring—will continue to guide us.

Rest in peace, Sangeeta.