Gulnar Husain

To God we belong and to God we shall return. Gulnar Husain, of Portage, MI made the peaceful transition to the afterlife at home surrounded by family, on January 1st, 2018. She was 70 years old. She is survived by her husband, Shaghil Husain of Kalamazoo, MI and her daughter, Sarah Husain of San Jose, California; her sister Nigar Islam, and her nephews Omar and Ali Islam, all from Canada. She was a loving great-aunt to many children and also leaves behind several cousins, nieces and nephews in the U.S., Pakistan and around the world. Born in Meerut, India and a graduate of Kinnaird College and University of the Punjab in Lahore, Pakistan, Gulnar immigrated to Kalamazoo in 1981 and received her Master's Degree from Western Michigan University in Political Science. Gulnar dedicated her life to serving others; it was her passion for children's education and community service that drove her to volunteer for countless organizations in the Kalamazoo community. Over her 38 years of community volunteerism in Kalamazoo, she compiled an exceptional legacy which included numerous awards and accolades, including a Communities in Schools (CIS) National Award, a National "Honoring Differences" Award, a National Campaign for Tolerance Award, and, most recently, the "Good Neighbor" STAR Award for her exemplary service and impact within the community. Gulnar was often described as the 'heart' of Arcadia Elementary School, where she worked for over 14 years, first as an AmeriCorps VISTA and then as Site Coordinator through Communities In Schools (CIS). All of her service was completed in her own humble way - quiet but persistent, with her compassion and ever-present smile. The awards recognized her efforts to help those less fortunate, support at-risk children and their educational needs, and to engage her neighbors in the community. Through her tireless work she became the face of Islam and peace for local residents. In 2016, she led a local initiative for a welcoming proclamation for refugees and immigrants in the Kalamazoo City Commission, which affirmed religious pluralism and urged Kalamazoo residents to stand together for peace and justice. Her involvement with interfaith organizations often placed her on the podium to speak about, as she called it, "building bridges of inclusion." Gulnar once said, "I have appreciated everything about America. But what I appreciate the most is the concept of service. Here in America is the idea of serving others and being fair in your dealings. This is what I have tried to do." Her family would like to thank the caring community of friends for the love and support showered on her throughout her life, especially during the last year while she fought her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Gulnar Husain was one of the 'hearts' of Kalamazoo and our global community. She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she impacted in meaningful ways. We pray that her legacy will live on through her many philanthropic endeavors. In her loving memory, an Open House will be held on Saturday, January 13th from 11am-1pm at the Kalamazoo Islamic Center (511 Burrows Street Kalamazoo, MI 49006). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the "Gulnar Husain Legacy Fund" to support and recognize school volunteers via Communities in Schools (CIS) of Kalamazoo (125 W Exchange Pl, Kalamazoo, MI 49007). http://ciskalamazoo.org/