Paromita Deb-Rinker, age 52, of Ottawa, passed away on August 22, 2023 after a long battle with lung cancer. She is survived by her husband, Mike Rinker, and her two children, who made up the entirety of her world; Priya (age 20) and Eli (age 18).
Paromita was born on 22 October, 1970 to Mihir Deb and Jhunu Deb in Kolkata, India. After graduating from Springdale School in 1989, she went to Miranda House, Delhi University for her undergraduate degree, and later to Delhi University to get her Masters Degree in Zoology. Paromita then migrated to Canada in 1994 to complete her PhD in Molecular Biology at Western University in London Ontario.
Paromita had a successful career researching human diseases at Sick Kids in Toronto, the National Research Council, and the Ottawa Heart Institute. She later joined the Public Health Agency of Canada and supported Canada’s COVID response.
Paromita dedicated her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother. She fought to maintain her health long enough to have both Priya and Eli get on their way to university.
Paromita was a passionate reader. When she wasn’t filling her home with warmth and kindness, she was filling it with books. She brought rules and order to book club, and was a pioneer in establishing and enforcing rules and criteria for her friends to follow…
She is missed…
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society - Lung Cancer would be greatly appreciated.
Digital Guestbook
Yen Bui
Doug Miller
Mike and family,
I am so sorry for your loss, it's unfathomable. My heart goes out to you and your family
With Care
Doug
Ananda
My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time Mike.
Kathleen Heppell-MAsys
Dear Mike, and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My heart goes out to you and your family. I am sending you love and my most sincere sympathies. Kathleen
Reetha Parthiban
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I am just a colleague from work, and our paths crossed at various meetings. Whenever , we met we always found something to laugh about, she was friendly, approachable and vibrant personality with a charming smile. Loosing a mum and a wife is not easy. My deepest condolences to the family. Reetha Parthiban
Kristi Randhawa
My heart truly breaks for you and your family. I did not know too much about your wife but reading about her background in public health and health research and her love of books warmed my heart and the words conveyed how special she was. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Kristi Randhawa
My heart truly breaks for you and your family. I did not know too much about your wife but reading about her background in public health and health research and her love of books warmed my heart and the words conveyed how special she was. Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Bertrand Thériault
Dear Mike, my deepest condolences to you are your children in this difficult time.
Anu Bulkan
Mike, my heartfelt and sincerest condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and I wish you comfort and strength throughout this time.
Jad
This is such a saddening loss, my deepest condolences and love go out to the family. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to get to know her and be around her for the past few years. She was so kind and caring, funny, intelligent, and just such an amazing woman at heart. She was truly one of a kind and can never be forgotten. May she rest in peace.
I had the pleasure to know Paromita through CATMAT (PHAC). I’m very sorry for your loss. Heartfelt prayers to your family.