DEMISE OF DEARLY BELOVED RANI THERESE JAYWARWADNE FORMERLY OF WALKER SONS & CO LTD
Yasmin & I were saddened, shocked, and stunned to learn the sudden demise of our Dearly Beloved, Amazing & Adorable Friend Rani Therese Jayawardena
She has been a very cheerful, bubbly & and amazing friend to me ever since I joined Walker Sons & Co Ltd on February 1 1968 till I left for Oman on May 3 1975. She always said that I reminded her of her brother who was in the United Kingdom.
She was a Dynamic Secretary to our revered leader and my mentor the Late Professor Deshamanya Tony Furkhan, the then Chief Accountant. She was also very popular with her workmates in the Accounts Department. & the Netballers @ Walkers.
She proved her mettle in Kuwait so much so that her Employers continued to retain her under their sponsorship till she was nearly 78 years though on numerous occasions she wanted to get back to the Pearl of The Indian Ocean – a great achievement.
We kept in touch with a Sister-Brother relationship till Yasmin became my partner & Spouse in December 1977. Our treasured friendship continued during the Snail Mail Era till Rani moved to Burgan Bank Kuwait. During the Iraq-Kuwait war we had a total disconnect.
Thankfully through courtesy of Aubyn [Ex Burgan Bank Manager Kuwait & American Express Country Manager Colombo now Senator in Jamaica] & Tamara Hill [ daughter of Ex-WalkerS Engineer Mathew Subramaniam] who moved to Oman from Kuwait during the war , we were able to trace Rani’s whereabouts once again..
The advent of the Internet has kept our bonds together till her recent Birthday on Oct 1 2023. when we had a long chat. I mentioned to her that some Ex-Walkerites around the Globe are desirous of chatting with her, and she spontaneously suggested that I could ask them to call her on WhatsApp. I received confirmation that our Network is still active as a few notified me they were very happy that they connected with her.
I had the privilege of meeting her demised but Friendly Jovial Hubby Eric and her two loving children daughter Nilu & Son Radley both as little kids in Office.
Now being connected via Social Media as big adults with kids, it brings back many fond memories and plenty of it especially speaking to her daughter Nilu recently after Rani’s surgery on August 18 2023 !!!
Rani was a very dedicated Catholic and a very strong fighter with her faith who fought her battle by herself when she was diagnosed with Cancer many years ago. We continued to pray for her speedy recovery, and she would speak to us cheerfully after her several surgeries.
She would always call me on American Day to wish me for my Birthday and the Festive Season in December, sometimes not knowing the time in Canada I too reciprocated on hers and it will certainly be a void come December 2023.
We pray that the Divine & Merciful Lord will give both Nilu, Radley, their extended and bereaved families the strength to face this moment of grief very courageously.
We shall remember Rani in our prayers. May She Rest in Peace Eternally.
Condolences may be relayed to Nilu Jayawardena aisha.recruiter2019@gmail.com and or Radley Jayawardena – radley70@hotmail.com
Goodbye Rani – till we meet again!!! You have been an Amazing & Adorable Friend to Us Always!!!!! – Many Blessings. – Perry & Yas
FUNERAL NOTICE
Funeral will be on Thursday @ 16:00hrs @ Weligampitiya Cemetery. To view my beloved Mom’s remains kindly visit Modern Florists in Kandana on the 11th & 12th from 8 am
