Amma was a very sociable lady, with many talents

It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the passing away of our beloved mother, who died on June 29. She was 76 years. She was a very sociable lady, with many talents, being a Sunday School teacher for 30 years, secretary of the Holy Emmanuel Church Mothers Union for 15 years, and a lively member of the YWCA Housewives’ Association for 10 years.

Mother hailed from Moratuwa, the only child of a well-to-do family in Kadalana. She was an outstanding student at Princess of Wales College. She married Bertram, also from Moratuwa, and they had six children. My father worked for the CTB for 25 years. Their marriage lasted 55 years. She worked at Velona Garments for three years, but gave up her job after marriage to look after her children. She was blessed with five sons and one daughter. She looked after them very well and educated them to the highest possible level.

She enjoyed singing with the students during Church Sunday School and at social functions. She played the piano and sang old favourites at family parties as well. Her only daughter Shilani said music was her lifelong love, being a resident of the music-loving town of Moratuwa.

My mother was much loved by all her daughters-in-law. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, the majority being girls.

Her sons Hirantha, Erantha, Prisantha, Mohan and myself all lived in close proximity to her house, and could visit regularly. Amma and Thaaththa celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary on October 18, 2006. All immediate family members and close friends were invited to a lavish party. She sang a special song that day.

She helped many poor people in the Moratuwa Kadalana area, where she was an active member of the Old Girls’ Union of her alma mater. She suffered from a heart ailment for the last 15 years of her life.

She enjoyed a truly Christian life. She worshipped at Holy Emmanuel Church, an Anglican Church in Moratuwa with more than 3,000 parishioners.

In the last years of her life, she was hospitalised every six months. Up to her last breath, she was in prayer thanking and praising Lord Jesus for giving her many opportunities in life.

She was a great Amma to all of us. She was a beloved wife, a caring mother, a loving grandmother. She has left us with many sweet memories.