A beautiful heart that shone through her beautiful smile

Those we love don’t go away They walk beside us everyday Years may pass and fade away But memories of loved ones are here to stay

It has been 12 months since she departed to be with the Lord. Our family was made to look poorer by the untimely demise of one of its most humble and helpful cousins.The eversmiling and lovable Damayanthie came into my life 37 years ago when I married the cousin of Damayanthie’s husband Warren.

Her affection was contagious. Her care and concern was irrespective of considerations of class, caste or creed, and no recipient could ever resist responding to that disarming love which knew no bounds in transmission. Immense were the acts of her love, sharing and feeling for people both rich and poor.

A product of Methodist College, she never lost the common touch as she was able to move with the highs and lows of society. She was a prominent participant in all family activities.

Damayanthie was a hands-on individual who would do her utmost to alleviate the hardships faced by the underprivileged -she would walk the extra mile to help anyone in need.

Aggression was never in her vocabulary. She was a beautiful lady who had a beautiful heart. She had compassion, understanding, love, joy, happiness and readiness to forgive and forget, always with a beautiful smile. She was courageous and never hesitated to stand up for justice.

I will never forget her hospitality when we were going through a crisis in our lives in 1988. Her home was our home during that period. Their bedroom was given to me and my wife and I have no words to describe her hospitality. Early morning she would bring a cup of tea and in the night a glass of milk without fail.

We as a family feel the void left by our loving cousin’s absence. We miss Damayanthie dearly. She was more of a sister than a cousin to Roshani and I. We were blessed to have her in our lives. We will remember all the times she helped us and those wake-up calls to check after a court hearing about my cases.

Many would speak of her and share their thoughts of her remarkable and unshakable faith in God. How can anyone forget that smile of hers, which always meant so much to those who met her?

I would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to her dearly beloved husband, Warren who stood by her at all times and to her children Gayathrie, Gayan and Ramesh.

Death is not the greatest loss in life; the greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live.

She was indeed a living saint. Damayanthie, may you rest in peace.