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Appreciations

He served the downtrodden
Anton David
Two minutes silence was observed for the late Anton David, when the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Anne's Church, Wattala, met in March. The secretary of the Council said Mr. David was a bright student at St. Peter's College, Bambalapitiya. After completing his studies he joined Lake House- Associated Newspapers (Ceylon) Ltd., where he rose to the rank of Director at Lake House Investments Ltd. He was an honest, simple, God fearing person, and methodical in his day-to-day work. People loved him for his simplicity and honesty.

He was also a popular figure at the Wattala Parish. He was a Legionary for over 50 years and a member until the time of his death. He served as president both in the English and Sinhala presedia. He organised a blood donating campaign, with the assistance of Late Rev. Fr. Basil Silva, which is still being carried out yearly. For a long period he was a Novena leader in the parish of Wattala and also held the post of secretary of the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Anne's Church, Wattala.

He served as a member and president of the Lions’ Club of Wattala in which capacity he moved with and served the down trodden. His ambition was to serve and not be served following in the footsteps of his Lord and Master.
May his soul rest in peace!

D.G. Kithudasa
Wattala

She epitomised all that was noble
Malathy Jeyaseelan
For those of us in the staff at the Primary School of Methodist College, Malathy was not just a colleague, but a sister in every sense of the word. Most of us met her during the last week of her life. A fever took her to hospital on Friday the 14th and by Sunday night she was no more. We laid her to rest and the day after, we find ourselves asking "Is it real?"

The tributes paid to her at a service arranged by the school evidenced the quality of the person she really was. As our former Principal said there are many adjectives with which one could describe her. I feel amongst these that stand out most would be 'compassionate, sensitive, caring and forgiving’. She joined the staff of MC in 1992.

Now looking back all of us feel it was an honour to have served alongside her. She was one whose life embodied the God she believed in and worshipped. On the 17th instant I read the passage of Scripture which says "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven" [Matt.5:16]. Malathy was truly one, whose light shone, touching many lives. And the beauty was that she sought no accolades or glory for herself but went about quietly, radiating the love of her God.

Her love was spontaneous. I've recorded in my journal "Thank you for a beloved friend and colleague and for what we have learnt through her life." The students of her grade 5 class and the English classes she taught will miss her very much. She loved what she did and her sensitivity towards each child who came under her was remarkable.

As a colleague she welcomed each of us with a smile every morning and often laid a hand on us or embraced us warmly. If one of us was thoughtful or seemed upset, she would put her arm around the person and ask softly, "Is anything worrying you?" or "Are you ok?" and encouraged us if we needed just that. Our concerns were her prayer concerns.

She enjoyed fun and laughter and had a good sense of humour too and would sometimes share jokes with us. She loved to play games and made sure everyone interacted with each other. She remembered birthdays and anniversaries and just recently she reminded a teacher that it was that teacher's wedding anniversary! This staff member had forgotten!

Be it taking part in the staff event of the sports meet or a game on a staff trip, Malathy readily volunteered and had the knack of coercing others to take part too. As one staff member said, she always saw the good in another person or in any situation.

Another teacher told me, "Do you know if ever I told her that another person had upset me, Malathy's response would be, " I understand you’re hurt; but you know maybe she's going through a tough time or maybe she didn't really mean that." She was a 'builder of bridges' and saw to it that relationships were maintained not, 'just somehow' but with understanding and forgiveness.

Her older brother testified to the fact that all four of them who live abroad are what they are today because of the sacrifices Malathy made from a young age. What a tribute! She excelled in what matters most - Giving of oneself to others not heeding the cost. As hostel warden her care for the children was amazing. She was truly a 'mother' to them, even buying them little birthday gifts with her own money. She did all this unobtrusively. Another teacher told me that Malathy made "ambrella curry" for her knowing how much she liked it. The school 'helpers' told me that Malathy would often ask them if they had eaten their breakfast. I believe we could write volumes about her.

She was a wonderful wife to Christy and often told us how happy she was in her marriage. She adored her sons Andrew and Joel and counted family time as precious. Her home was open to all. Christy, Andrew and Joel we share in your grief, and our prayers are with you as you 'pick up the pieces' and start living.

She often spoke of her mother whom she looked forward to having over for a few weeks from England, and spoke fondly of her four brothers. She felt blessed in each of her sisters-in-law too. She will live in our hearts forever. May we seek to live out some of the qualities she reflected in her daily life. "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." [Proverbs 31:29]

S. williams
The Staff of the
Primary School of
Methodist College

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