Saroj Bala Khanna

Saroj Bala (Kapoor) Khanna, 84, of Springettsbury Township, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 22, 2026, at York Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was the beloved wife of Sardari Lal Khanna, and together they shared 63 wonderful years of marriage.

Saroj, the daughter of the late Des Raj and Satya Vati (Wadera) Kapoor, was born in Fazilka, India, on February 11, 1942. She earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in history in India. In 2014, she retired after 42 years of devoted service as a professor at York College spanning a career that touched countless lives.

Saroj was adored by her students, who knew her not only for her expertise but for the warmth she brought into every classroom. She taught Introduction to South Asia, as well as Government and Politics of South Asia and the Middle East, and authored a book, "Introduction to South Asia." Beyond teaching, she poured her energy into campus life and was active in the International Students Association and Student Senate, and served as an advisor to the Sigma Delta Tau Sorority.

Outside of academia, Indian cinema was one of Saroj's true passions. She could quote entire films from memory, would happily drive long distances just for a new movie showing, and lit up any room when talking about her favorite movies. Whether reciting a scene or recommending the next film everyone had to see, her enthusiasm was infectious and unmistakably her. Fashion was another true passion of Saroj's. She had an eye for beautiful Indian outfits and wore them with effortless style, rarely repeating the same look twice. Shopping was one of her great joys, not just for herself, but for the people she loved, and she took just as much delight in finding the perfect outfit for someone else as she did in adding to her own wardrobe. Saroj was remarkably generous, both with her time and her resources, and was known for quietly helping others. Her generosity extended to the kitchen as well, where Saroj was an incredible cook and beloved throughout the community for her food, bringing people together time and time again, and anyone who had the chance to enjoy her food never forgot it. She was also an avid music fan and was loved for her beautiful singing voice as well as her radiant and unforgettable smile.

Carrying her love and spirit forward are her family who will forever hold her close: her husband, Sardari Lal Khanna; her daughters, Nipon Khanna Deel and Seema Khanna and her husband Eric Quickel; her four grandchildren, Sonia, Sanjay, Roen, and Gavan; her sister, Sham Lata Gulati; her niece, Ritu; her nephews, Rajdeep and Manish; as well as a large extended family and friends in the United States and India, all of whom will cherish her memory. She was preceded in death by her brother, Deepak Kapoor. Her sister-in-law, Rekha Kapoor, followed her in passing three days later.

A celebration of Saroj's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at Heffner Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Inc., 1551 Kenneth Road, York, PA, with a visitation from 12:30-1 p.m. The service will be webcast live and can be viewed by searching Saroj's obituary at HeffnerCare.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sardari and Saroj Khanna Scholarship Fund at giving.ycp.edu and selecting the box for the “Sardari and Saroj Khanna Scholarship Fund.”

Condolences may be shared at HeffnerCare.com.