Sabrina A. Kalsi

Sabrina Ann Kalsi, née Herrmann, 68, passed away on March 13, 2026, in Buffalo Grove, Illinois, leaving behind a heartbroken assembly of loved ones whose lives she touched for the better.

A New Year’s baby, Sabrina was born on January 1, 1958, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and grew up in Allen Park, Michigan. She graduated from Melvindale High School in 1976. A hard worker, Sabrina achieved significant professional success over the course of her life. From the age of 15 onward, she held an eclectic array of jobs in her tireless pursuit of her goals, starting at a neighborhood drugstore and later working at the Henry Ford Museum’s Greenfield Village. A trailblazer, Sabrina put herself through university by working in factories and other industrial settings, where she was often told that, as a woman, she did not belong. Undeterred, she never stopped working toward her ambitions and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Science in Analytical Chemistry from Eastern Michigan University.

After several years working as a chemist for companies such as Dow Chemical and Sherwin-Williams, Sabrina pivoted to product development—a move that served her well. She developed laboratory equipment at prominent scientific companies, including Sigma-Aldrich, Cole-Parmer, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. At Thermo Fisher, Sabrina held the title of Global Director of the Water Analysis Instruments Unit, a position that took her around the world, from Japan to Singapore to Indonesia. She rounded out her professional years by transitioning from laboratory equipment to electrician’s tools and retired from Klein Tools in 2023. In retirement, Sabrina maintained a full calendar, volunteering at Advocate Condell’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, her public library, and the Vernon Hills Community Center, where she helped organize weekly card games.

One of Sabrina’s many jobs during her graduate school years was as a front desk receptionist for the international student dormitory at Eastern Michigan University. It was there that she met the love of her life, Tajinder Singh Kalsi. Sabrina and Taj wed on Valentine’s Day in Ann Arbor in 1980 and remained married until Taj’s passing in 2022. They shared a deep love of music and poetry, and as their careers took them from Michigan to Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Illinois, they grew their family and collected lifelong friends along the way. Sabrina and Taj traveled extensively and loved to entertain, hosting memorable parties and get-togethers. A meticulous and thoughtful host, Sabrina’s annual holiday gatherings became a cherished cornerstone for her family and circle of friends.

Loved ones often marveled at Sabrina’s rare combination of talents, as she was equally gifted in both left-brain and right-brain pursuits. A skilled scientist, she brought precision and organization to every facet of her life. At the same time, she was a gifted artist whose sketches and paintings adorn the walls of family members and friends alike. Anyone celebrating a life milestone could count on Sabrina to create one-of-a-kind decorations, from flower arrangements and beautifully hand-drawn signage to personalized programs. She was especially known for painting whimsical, large-scale murals for the nurseries and children’s bedrooms of her family members and friends. Given this unique blend of talents, it is perhaps no surprise that Sabrina was also an exceptional baker. Her family and friends eagerly anticipated her perfectly rolled koulourakia cookies and immaculately decorated sugar cookies at holidays throughout the year.

Sabrina was deeply devoted to her family and friends. She was always the first to raise her hand when someone needed help, whether it involved planning an event, cleaning out a closet, or preserving old photographs. She shared a special bond with her father and stepmother in Michigan and delighted in doting on her brother's daughters. At home in Illinois, Sabrina had an especially close relationship with her daughter. She prepared homemade baby food and cared for her granddaughter on a weekly basis. Her granddaughter, in particular, was the light of Sabrina’s life during her final year.

Remaining to cherish Sabrina’s memory are her daughter, Angela (Kevin Reader) Kalsi; her father, Allen Edward Herrmann; her granddaughter, Jane Singh Reader; her brother, Christopher (Chelsey) Herrmann; her nieces, Joanna and Lena; her brothers, Terry Southall and Boyd Herrmann; and numerous close friends.

Preceding Sabrina in death are her husband, Tajinder Kalsi; her mother, Corine Southall, née Fritz; and her beloved stepmother, Anna Herrmann, née Lardas.

A visitation and funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Strang Funeral Chapel & Crematorium, 410 E. Belvidere Road, Grayslake, Illinois 60030, from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., with the service commencing at 4:00 p.m. Interment will be held privately.

Memorial donations in Sabrina’s memory may be directed to Girls 4 Science at https://girls4science.org/donate-now.html.

For more information log onto www.strangfuneral.org or contact (847) 233-8122.