Else Valborg (Brusch) Lamba

In loving memory of Else Valborg Lamba, formerly Brusch, a cherished sister to Jens Ulrich Brusch, beloved daughter of Jens Oluf Brusch and Valborg Sarah Simonie Brusch. She peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on August 11, 2023. Throughout her life, Else embodied the roles of a devoted Sister, Mother, Daughter, Grandmother, Caretaker, Intellectual, Gardener, Baker, Feminist, Lifelong Learner, Medical Librarian, and Steward of the Earth. Born on August 29, 1930, in Fredericia, Denmark, she grew up during World War II Denmark and in post-World War II embarked on cycling adventures with a friend through Denmark and Sweden after her gymnasium graduation.  At the age of 60, she undertook a similar journey with friends visiting old churches (1000+ years old with their associated pubs).

In the early 1950s, Else found herself in Philadelphia, where fate brought her together with her beloved husband, Sukhwant (Sam) Singh Lamba. Their love story led to two wedding ceremonies, first on November 26, 1955, in Fredericia, Denmark, and again in Delhi, India. The couple shared a remarkable journey, living in various parts of the world including Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Rio de Janeiro Brazil, Caracas Venezuela, McLean Virginia, Manila Philippines, Parkersburg West Virginia, Marietta Ohio, and Chapel Hill North Carolina.

Else's legacy lives on through her children: Leah Anjani Lamba-Skidmore (Tad Skidmore), Michael Amrit Singh Lamba (Sandra Dickens), Jens Harjot Singh Lamba (Ann Lamba), and Jaydeep Jawahar Singh Lamba (Sangita Koli). She was also a beloved grandmother to Nathan, Gabriel, Stefan, Sajan, Kesar, and Avinash Lamba, Rachel Kehoe, and Drew Tant.

Matriarch of an extended family, Else was proud of her work as a medical librarian.   A true trailblazer, she was ahead of her time.  She nurtured her children with traditional family meals, baked her own bread, rode her bike to work, championed environmental conservation, and was active in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marietta Ohio. Her teachings, unwavering support, and grace have left an indelible mark on all who knew her. We are forever grateful for the lessons she imparted, the challenges she inspired us to overcome, and the love she bestowed upon us. May she walk in eternal peace, with the dignity and strength that defined her life. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Unitarian Church in Marietta in this fall.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marietta Ohio and the Cat Tales Cat Café of Chapel Hill North Carolina, which brought her joy in her later years.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Lamba family.