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
Neel Rancourt
Karina Lange
I am sending you our sincere condolences. I always admired how wonderful a mother Paromita was to her children, and I am so sorry they have lost her too early. I know all of your memories of her will be kept close to you and she will always be with you.
Harvey Miller & Dao Ly
I am very sadden by the news. My sincere condolences to you, Priya and Eli. May you find comfort in the legacy that Paromita had left behind.
Maria Ribecco
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of Paromita. I hadn’t seen her in the last ten years or so, but I remember all the good times spent in the lab, when she worked at NRC. Sending my heartfelt condolences to Mike, the children and entire family.
Ann Erdman
Mike, my deepest condolences to you and your children. My prayers and thoughts are with you as you navigate your grief and your lives without Paromita.
I still have difficulty accepting the loss of Paromita, who became a colleague and friend to me when I met her in 2010. I recall fond memories of catching her, sitting in her car at lunch in our workplace parking lot trying to read a book in peace. :o) She wore her heart and personality on her sleeve and was fiercely dedicated to her family. My deepest sympathies go out to Mike, Priya, Eli, and Paromita's parents and siblings. I hope that you can look back on a lifetime of cherished memories.