I owe her a great debt of gratitude
Twenty years to the day on August 16, 2000, Maureen answered the call which comes eventually to us all.
I was in the happy position of living and enjoying my childhood as her kid brother. Little acts of kindness such as joining in playtime at home and being consoled by her when parental admonition was directed at me for my naughty exuberance are etched in my memory even though seven decades have elapsed since those happy childhood days.
In later life too, Maureen showed much concern for my wellbeing, particularly helping in weak subjects I encountered at the school promotion examinations. She even paid for my private tuition and it would be no exaggeration to state that without her support, both morally and financially in those crucial years I would not have succeeded in getting over the hurdles in later life. I had no brother so in a manner of speaking she filled the void of an elder brother to show me the way to a full adult life.
Even in the matters of settling down she showed concern in a subtle manner sans coercion that I choose correctly. When I recollect all her benevolence and goodwill I have to acknowledge I owe her a debt of gratitude.
Maureen’s own life was very illustrious and eventful. Having finished a brilliant school career at Holy Family Convent she went on to the University of Peradeniya and graduated with an Honours degree in 1953 at the very young age of 21, a somewhat rare achievement not equalled by many before or even after that date.
After graduation Maureen took up an appointment at the Inland Revenue Department as an Assistant Assessor which was a prestigious appointment at the time – she was the second lady staff officer in the history of the department. She retired 25 years later having reached the high office of a Deputy Commissioner.
In 1957, she married Victor Gunawardene whom she had met during her undergraduate days at University. They had four daughters who did them proud, in professional and semi professional fields.
During all these years of official executive commitments and bringing up children with all domestic chores, she did not fail to look after her ageing parents, which I must state, would have been a strain in later years, but which she was able to do thanks to the strong family support of her husband and children. Hers was a life of versatility and fulfillment for which I am certain she won the admiration of all who knew her in her lifetime and now would remember her with love and gratitude.
A matter of some regret however is that she had to cope with more than her fair share in family responsibility as the eldest sibling and had little opportunity to enjoy her retirement and leisure. As illness afflicted her in the early 60s, her precious life was shortened, and even though family and friends fought hard to save her, the adverse impact of malignancy and surgical misadventure had its fatal consequences.
Her husband having stoically faced the adversity has since passed away to join her in eternal bliss, so on this 20th anniversary of her passing, our comforting thoughts go out to their four daughters, an admirable united family.