She was an epitome of courage and determination

As the world welcomed a new year, our family remembered the blessed life of my grandfather, Lionel Pasqual, who left us exactly three months ago. In this theatre of life my grandfather played many roles spanning 87 years from a dutiful son, supportive brother, doting husband, loving father to a talented photographer; however my personal favourite is the years he shared with me as my grandfather.

I do not remember since when but I always knew I could count on my grandfather. I vividly remember a particular incident that occurred when I was about four or five years old. I had somehow managed to get a matchstick stuck deep in my nose and was terrified to go to my grandmother or my parents because I knew they would scold me first for getting into trouble. So I approached my grandfather who calmly used a coconut bristle to make me sneeze and solved the matter all in five minutes and never told anyone. My grandfather was approachable, cool-headed, versatile and above all was always my person. He continued to prove this to me over the years.

As his eldest grandchild I benefitted the most from the last two decades of his life. My grandfather was present on time to pick me from my first day of nursery to the last day of my Advanced Level Examination and to take me to any extra-curricular activities I was involved in, in my school life. He was never late even when he had to walk miles and ride the ever crowded buses on the 138 route. Later even when he had access to private vehicles, he still loved to walk and maintained his simple lifestyle as much as possible.

My grandfather did not care to own or collect worldly possessions but instead focused entirely on the well-being of the people around him. A few months before he passed away I came home after a particularly difficult day at work and the moment he saw my face he asked me what was wrong. This was extra touching as it happened at a time when his memory was failing him and he could no longer recognize me as family. Yet he continued to be caring and was concerned about others around him.

He lived his life every day on simple values and the person who knew him best, my grandmother, summed up his life well at the funeral. She said, “He was always, truly a gentleman.” Having known my grandfather closely and well, I strongly believe that is precisely the memory he wanted to leave behind as he left us.

I believe every child needs that someone who believes in their potential, supports them in their childhood missions and helps them dream big. I found that person in my grandfather. He was my confidante, my champion and my very own cheering squad. When I came home after my grandfather’s cremation it dawned to me that my childhood was officially over. However I will remember the values he instilled in me and go diligently forward. At every achievement and accomplishment in my life I will remind the world of him, my grandfather.

Seeya, may you have a short and fruitful journey in sansara and attain the supreme bliss of nibbana! Imasha Pasqual

On January 27, it will be 20 years since my Thatha left this earthly life into the arms of Jesus. Although it is said that time eases the pain of grieving, 20 long years haven’t dulled our ache. Not a day passes by that I don’t think of him. My thatha was a remarkable man, who had a multitude of talents. He was a prolific writer and his mind was bursting with ideas. He compiled several books on poetry and was a frequent contributor to the “Searchlight” magazine that was published in the 1970s and 1980s.

In 1973, he published “Poems of Sri Lanka,” which was illustrated by G.L.A. Rajith. The poems celebrated the beauty of our island nation, and also raised social awareness of issues in politics during that era. Two years later in 1975 he published another volume of

My memory of Anne Ranasinghe goes back many years. In my schooldays in the late 50s, I attended ballet classes at Timmy Ingleton’s School of Dance. I can still picture Anne driving her daughter into Aunty Timmy’s residence in Colpetty.

But then the years went by and we went our separate ways and I lost touch completely with them. In the latter part of the 90s I was involved in some creative writing (mainly travel articles) and then went on to write short stories and poetry. Anne was one of the founders of the English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka where one could join as a member only after having published some creative writing in the English language. She realized that there were many persons out there who were interested in the art of writing but had not published any work as such. In order to accommodate these people she inaugurated the English Writers Workshop which in later years was renamed the Wadiya Group of Writers. Anne did not continue to be active in the English Writers Workshop as she had too many other assignments to deal with and so she delegated this organization to the members to manage.

In early 2000 I published my first book and my friend Faith Ratnayake invited me to join the English Writers Cooperative of Sri Lanka which was headed by Anne at that time. I was only too poems titled “Reconciliation and Reconsideration.”

He had a penchant for politics and would often visit Sirikotha when it was located at Kollupitiya while amma and I would wait in the car until he finished his meetings. He was also associated with the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka and the late Dr. Amaratunga visited our home many times for long discussions with him.

Thatha also had a great pleased to do so and thus began my close association with Anne. I was appointed Secretary of the EWC and held the post for a few years. During this period I was put to the discipline of being ultra organized and to get on with my tasks in a supermethodical manner. This was something that I myself liked doing and I must admit that working with Anne certainly sharpened my skills. For example, when we organized a Prose & Poetry Evening as we did every year, she would first select a ‘theme’ - the readings would have to keep to this; then there would be the music which would also have to fall in line with this ‘theme’. The timing would be absolutely precise – so we would go through the readings then go through the music. Finally there would be a colour she would select for those participating to wear for the event. Three rehearsals at the minimum and then on the final day we would have to be at the venue at the correct time. Refreshments would be selected with great care.

This is just one example but everything we produced was planned with the same kind of detailed preparation. I have to admit though that the absolute precision which she required could be very demanding and even stressful at times! And love for drama. I could still remember as if it was yesterday how he would go see plays staged at the Ladies’ College hall or at the Lionel Wendt.

During his free time my thatha’s favourite pastime was vinting homemade fruit wines; and during Christmas he would gift these exotic flavours. My grandparents were very fond of him and he was very close to them, and often visited them at yet, when I look back I now greatly value these experiences as a positive learning curve in my life. Anne established a very strong foundation for the EWC to maintain its goals to inspire writers in English to develop their creative writing skills and the opportunity to publish their works through the programmes organized by the EWC.

A few years ago Anne resigned from the EWC as various health issues were making it difficult for her to carry on with this work. However, I did keep in regular touch with her and visited her whenever possible.In latter times I didn’t see her very often but used to chat with her on the ‘phone.

Anne was a writer of repute and I shall always be grateful that she encouraged me in my writing. Occasionally I would show her some of my poems and she would go through them painstakingly, line by line, while I was told to ‘sit and listen’ while she made her comments. What always struck me about her was that despite the hard and traumatic childhood she experienced, her strong personality took her to the highest levels in whatever she undertook. Her writing is moving to the point where the reader can feel what is taking place and experience the emotions she describes. their home in Mahara, Kadawatha. My thatha was also very close to his inlaws and treated them as his own siblings.

Thatha was very devoted to amma and me, and helped me raising my son. He was one who brought him home from the St. Michael’s Nursing Home in Kollupitiya. On this 20th anniversary my son and I mourn his death. During our chats she sometimes would relate to me the agonizing happenings she encountered in her childhood and just listening to them was absolutely heartbreaking.

Now for another side of Anne .Her deep love for animals, birds and plants was something I shared. We often spoke of the crows she used to talk to when she fed them from her balcony and the dogs she reared as companions in her life.She loved plants as well and tended to her garden with great care. I well recall being in her sitting room when this large Labrador bounced in with a key in his mouth. I was too stunned to even scream! This was Jeremy who used to bring her the car keys when he needed to be taken for a drive! He began dashing around with the keys in his mouth, then he ran up to Anne and looked at her with such love and longing. She firmly but kindly told him that she would take him later as she had a visitor (me!) and he just sat there looking rather sad and disappointed! I will never forget this!

Anne was a writer who gained prominence not only in Sri Lanka but was also presented many international awards for her books. She was a shining example of how a human being can overcome the difficulties and problems of personal experiences by going forward with courage and endurance. May she rest in peace. Anthea Senaratna