Sunday Times 2
Rita Marina Mendis Precious memories, how they linger
View(s):Rita Marina Mendis (nee Benedict) was not only the prettiest girl in the family, more preciously she also had a pretty and generous heart.
After her studies at Good Shepherd Convent in Kotahena, Rita took up a profession as a company secretary at Stewart Engineers Limited, the Maharaja Organisation and other companies.
Rita Marina Mendis
But her greater love was for ballroom dancing such as the waltz, the foxtrot, and the then popular cha-cha, which she learnt at the then well-known Carl Cooke school of dancing. Many were the parties or dances we had at home and I would watch with admiration the graceful movements of this dancing queen who was pleasant and wore a smile even in times of crisis or trouble. At the Clare Caspersz School, she also learnt social graces and how to cook tasty dishes.
Before her marriage, I recall how Rita made the tastiest Christmas cake every year, insisting that a parent should get all the delicious ingredients, though the family income was middle-class or less. After I began work as a journalist, I recall how Rita prepared delicious lunches or dinners for me to take to office. Her Chinese rolls, cutlets and patties, with huge pieces of milk toffee for desserts and other food items were as tasty and big as her wonderful heart.
We were in Rome and it was in the afterglow of the International Pentecost Rally there that I came back to the hotel to receive the sad email news that my dearest sister, a second mother to me, had passed away last Sunday night. I thought of but could not find a way to get back for the funeral because Rita had requested that it be held as soon as possible in a quiet way without even an obituary notice.
After we returned, I spoke to her daughter Michelle who had also rushed back from London for the funeral. She also fondly recalled her mother’s big and generous heart and her wish to give delicious meals not only to the family but to visitors who came even without notice to their Mahara home.
Michelle recalled how whenever her mother went out she would bring at least a packet of peanuts because she knew her daughter and son Rajiv expected her to come with something tasty for them.
The Bible tells us that while people often look at outward appearances, God looks at the heart. Rita had a pretty, big and a generous heart, deep care and concern for the needs and wishes of others, understanding of their faults and weaknesses, and appreciation of what is good and nice in others. She was forgiving and merciful. Whether she was aware of it or not, Rita was filled with God’s amazing grace, unconditional love and infinite mercy. Freely she received, freely she gave.
Being ill in the final months, the 81-year-old Rita may have remembered and comforted herself with the words of beautiful songs, such as Cardinal John Henry Newman’s “Lead Kindly Light”.Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling gloom,lead thou me on;the night is dark, and I am far from home;lead thou me on.Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to seethe distant scene; one step enough for me.
I was not ever thus, nor prayed that thou shouldst lead me on;I loved to choose and see my path; but nowlead thou me on.I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,pride ruled my will: remember not past years. So long thy power hath blest me, sure it stillwill lead me on,o’er moor and fen, o’er crag and torrent, till the night is gone,and with the morn those angel faces smile,which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.
Thank you dearest Rita, our beloved eldest sister and second mother to the end. When we think of you, we also will remember the words of J.B.F. Wright’s “Precious memories”;Precious memories, unseen angels,Sent from somewhere to my soul;How they linger, ever near me, And the sacred past unfold.
Precious memories, how they linger,How they ever flood my soul;In the stillness of the midnight,Precious, sacred scenes unfold. Precious loving sister,Fly across the lonely years;And old home scenes of my childhood,In fond memory appears.
-Louis