Her life was full of love and beauty

We were all devastated by the news of the sudden and unexpected demise of Bidoora (affectionately called Biddi) on May 28 at her home at Elugoda, Peradeniya. A few days earlier she talked with me on the phone and her voice sounded strong and clear and sh seemed to be hale and hearty.

She was the daughter of Tunker & Dale ola Osmond, a well known Malay family. She possessed a pleasant and robust personality, genial and good-humoured at all times, dedicating all her efforts to the welfare of her young family of five sons and four daughters. She was also grandmother to 21 and great grandmother to six children. She was actively involved in preparing the dinner for the family and some guests when tragedy struck on that fateful night and she collapsed. She was 76 years old.

Biddi had her education at Little Flower Convent, Bandarawela and later at St. Anthony’s Convent, Dematagoda where she excelled in English Literature and carried away many prizes. At the very young age of 16 she married Jerry Assan of the Department of Agriculture who won acclaim as a brilliant musician, both as a performer and teacher par excellence. He was an Icon in the world of music. Among his pupils were University Professors and High Court Judges.

Biddi was delighted as she put her own talents to good use in music, dancing and singing backed by Jerry’s superb artistry on the violin and Spanish & Hawaiian guitar. In fact the whole family is endowed with this special talent in music and some of the children, Fuard, Rashmon, Rizmy and Munirah are following close on the tracks of their famous father in music teaching and performance.

Her husband, Jerry, predeceased her a few years ago and Biddi was beleagured with the daunting task of caring for her large family. However, she addressed herself to the task with indomitable courage and dedication. All her children are now in well established positions in life. Biddi was endowed with a jovial and cheerful disposition, albeit a strict disciplinarian when circumstances demanded. And she employed her multi-faceted talents in maintaining a beautiful home and garden, involving some mundane household tasks such as carpentry, rattaning of chairs, painting the bedrooms and running a poultry farm too.

Her forte was needlework and embroidery which she handled with dexterity and skill, creating many exquisite designs. She also excelled in the culinary art and was adept at turning out many delectable dishes which won the admiration of her guests. The Assan family endeared themselves to all sections of the community and earned their love and respect, not merely for their musical genius but more on account of their great humanitarian concern and service which they lavished on the indigent and under-privileged classes.

Biddi was also an avid reader and well informed. She had her own private library which contained many of the well-known classics which she read regularly before retiring for the night. The demise of this gracious lady is an irreparable loss to all her associates, friends, relatives and many others who knew and loved her. She is assuredly now in joyous reunion with her beloved husband in Allah’s Heavenly Kingdom.