Liberal and non-conformist, she was more than a librarian
Zem passed away on July 14 last year about 8 in the evening and her remains were interred on July 28 in a quiet corner of Islington cemetery North London.
When I was informed by the specialist towards the end of June that there was no hope of a recovery, only a steady deterioration in her condition, I watched her day- after- day slipping away into the gloom and the final darkness of death. That experience is now engraved in my memory. A week or so after our 25th anniversary, I lost my wife and long- time- companion. I grieve for her.
Zem grew up in a traditional Muslim household in Kandy, attended Girls’ High School where she received a well rounded education, although it was known she had a tendency for getting into scrapes, perhaps the early signs of nonconformity. 1 believe, however, that she was endowed with talent, had creative instincts and an adventurous heart.
She graduated from the University of Peradeniya with an arts degree, later qualified as a Librarian and also obtained the diploma of The Trinity College of Music, specialising in Speech and Drama. She joined the British Council in 1963 becoming Librarian in 1984. The whole of her professional career was spent in the service of the British Council both here and in England. She took pride in her work and I know that her competence and professional skills were appreciated.
Her talents and interests extended well beyond the spheres of Librarianship and Bibliography. In the sixties, I understand that she participated in fashion shows modelling sarees for a leading designer of the day. Her story hour for children was popular among a generation of youngsters now long past their youth, who used to know her as aunty Zem.
I knew her as a passionate gardener, who spent long hours cultivating her plants and flowers, an excellent cook who experimented with her own recipes, a lover of books and reading. And of course we both shared our passion for travel, exploring other countries and the pleasure of walking whether taking a daily stroll or hill walking in Cumbria and the Pyrenées where we used to spend our holidays.
In conclusion, I would like to refer to some of her attitudes and endearing qualities; her absolute loyalty to family and friends, her liberal outlook and her disregard for convention; so many of her friends were not of her religion or race. Eight months before she died, unaware of the onset of her last illness we undertook a Latin American journey travelling from Santiago in Chile via Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro. I asked her whether she felt able to go on such a long and tiresome trip. Her response was ‘‘ let’s do it”- ready as always to step out on the road to a new adventure.
Above all, she had a kind and generous nature, ready to help a friend in need and compassionate towards the less fortunate. She was courageous in the face of her own adversity. I believe she has now left us for a more peaceful place where there is neither pain nor sorrow. May she rest in peace. This is my heartfelt tribute to Zem.