Mamma was a real beauty - by heart and by person

Anna Cecilia Rodrigo-dias

Anna Cecilia Rodrigo-dias was the mother of five of us; mother-in-law to five of us; grandmother to fourteen of us; great-grandmother to twenty two of us but fondly known as ‘Mamma’ to all.

She was born to Hettiaarachchige Emmanuel Rodrigo and Grace Serasinghe in 1917 and married (diseased) Felix Edmund Dias in 1943. She was a slim, elegant lady as one could feel the moment she stepped into a room. She was prayerful and humble except when it came time to discuss her progeny. Then her eyes would light up and she would say “I love my five children, my fourteen grandchildren …”

There were two things that mama looks forward to throughout the year: her birthday on August 5 and hosting everyone for lunch during Christmas. The only thing she asked for each year was to have the entire family present at both these events.

Mamma was the most loving grandmother anyone could ever ask for. Her kindness and laughter can warm a person’s heart at any given time. Her faith in God that kept her strong always. Even when tough times came on her way, her faith has never changed. She has been a widow since 43 years but that did not stop her from loving God more and more. God definitely has blessed Mamma with a life filled with many children, grandchildren and great grand children, which something her husband was unable to see during his life. He was only able to see one of the children walk down the aisle and see the first four grandchildren…but mamma has been at every family event whenever there was.

Mamma passed away peacefully just as she had always wanted: at her own home surrounded by her loving children. Mamma’s smile and warmth will be ardently missed by all of us. We will cherish the memories in the years to come. MAY GOD GRANT HER ETERNAL REST! LOVING GRAND CHILDREN, NADHINI AND HARINI