In Loving Memory of Renu Sophat Malhotra.
July 11, 1945–September 14, 2023
Renu Sophat Malhotra, beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, and friend completed this life peacefully on September 14, 2023, at the age of 78. Born on July 11, 1945, in the picturesque town of Shimla, India, she was the only child of Reena Sophat, superintendent of the Modern Senior Secondary School of Patiala, and Jagmohan Singh Sophat, a renowned corporate tax attorney. She completed her B.A. at Government Women’s College of Chandigarh followed by interior design school. She met a gentle soul, Sudarshan Kumar Malhotra, who would be her companion for the next 57 years. Her plan to live next door to her parents changed when the young couple, with their first child Sumeeta of 9 weeks in tow, immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for Sudarshan’s teaching appointment at Marquette University–Milwaukee College of Engineering.
Renu’s life was marked by an unwavering dedication to raising her family. She had very strong opinions about the importance of education, achieving one’s goals, healthy living, and maintaining Indian cultural heritage in her children.
She had many accomplishments throughout her life. She started a gourmet food shipping company, called Michigan Specialties, with her friend Candice Hinshaw that reached Governor Blanchard’s eye as a favorite Christmas gift. After completing her MBA at Grand Valley State University, she worked for General Motors. Upon moving to Ann Arbor, she found her way as the chair of the faculty women’s club of the University of Michigan. To Renu, the empowerment of women empowered families, which empowered humanity. This philosophy inspired her to set up an organization called Seed the World that taught young women skills so they could support themselves. Seed the World continues to serve hundreds of young women and families in India.
Her true passion was learning and lecturing about Hindu Dharma. One of the earliest Bala Vihar teachers in Michigan, Renu was very proud to attend the marriages of her Bala Vihar graduates. She had lectured about Hinduism nationally and internationally and was an amazing resource of Indian and Hindu culture that we will all sorely miss.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Renu was a devoted wife to her beloved Sudarshan. Her kids referred to them as “Nicey and Spicey.” They truly were yin and yang with one partner’s weakness the other’s strength.
As a mother and grandmother, Renu was a beacon of love, guidance, and strength to her children, Sumeeta Nanda MD (Sumit), Bithika Kheterpal MD (Vikas), Pramit Malhotra MD (Suparna), and grandchildren Asha, Arjun, Aria, Nishant, Rohan, Neetika, Krish, and Kareena.
A memorial service was held on October 7, 2023, at the Hindu Temple of Canton. Rest in peace, dear Renu. Your love, teaching, and passion will live on through us all.