Many were the values she inculcated in all of us
Marie Seneviratne was born to Mudliyar Clement De Alwis and his wife Mary on September 10, 1923. Her father Uncle Clement was my father’s younger brother and they were very close. Marie was referred to by us as Marie Akka and she was very close to my eldest sister Fidelia and my other sister Viola. She was Fidelia’s bridesmaid. Marie was brought up with lots of love and care by her parents who provided her with whatever she wanted.
She was a student at Methodist College and later was given in marriage to Swinton Seneviratne, a renowned artist at the time. He was a well known teacher of the School of Arts, a government organization.
Prior to her marriage Marie lived with her parents at Deal Place, close to our house at Walukarama Road, Kollupitiya.
Marie had two children Ranjani and Mohan. They used to spend their holidays at our ancestral home in Kalahe and we used to look forward to their visit as they had a plush vehicle and Uncle Clement used to shower us with good food and pocket money.
Unfortunately her husband died of a heart attack and Marie was left with the responsibility of bringing up both children on her husband’s pension. It was at this stage that Uncle Clement had started building a house at Kadawatha Mahara with some assistance given by my Dad with timber from the ancestral land in Kalahe. Uncle Clement had written his property next to our ancestral land in Kalahe called Bata Dumba Gaha Korotuwa and Marie managed to sell it to finance herself and her father to complete the house at Mahara.
To supplement her income, Marie decided to run a poultry yard and a piggery and went into the manufacture of bacon and sausages etc. Various companies were willing to purchase from a very enterprising lady. Her courage and confidence, and the aptitude she had to create a small business enterprise with her own vision must be admired by all women especially at a time where not many women ventured to start businesses with no financial backing or any male support. She was a born leader.
Marie ensured that both her children were educated and adequately equipped to stand on their feet to face life with a deep sense of honesty and integrity, and live a simple life within their means.
Marie inculcated in the children and grandchildren values which will remain forever. She exemplified the axiom “She who rocks the cradle rules the world”.
Her true strength was the affection she showered on her children, in-laws and grandchildren. Her priority was the family and her vision was to keep the family affectionate, faithful and pure. There is no doubt that her love was the actuating impulse of her life which showed that out of love springs gentleness and kindness. Her love for her children and grandchildren knew no bounds. Always frank and forthright, she never failed to be considerate and humane in her ways. Perhaps many misunderstood her as she was always truthful in her comments.
In her last few years she made it a point to visit her relations. She ensured that her family attended church. She believed and trusted God in all she did. She taught us to: “Trust your hopes not your fears”.
She believed in these values: “The value of time, the success of perseverance, the pleasure of working, the dignity of simplicity, the worth of character, the power of kindness, the influence of example, the obligation of duty, the wisdom of economy, the virtue of patience, the improvement of talent, the joy of origination”.
Maria was blessed with very loving children, a daughter-inlaw, son-in-law and grandchildren who showered her with love and affection. Always content, she would say “Umbala mawa balanna enne nedda’’.
In the last few years, my wife Dammie and I did visit her on her birthday and she was indeed glad about our visits.
I am certain she must be back with the Lord and she will act as an angel to her family watching over them.
May she Rest in Peace.
Nihal De Alwis