OBITUARIE
(E & O.E.)
(MAY 2025)
Compiled by Victor Melder
GRABAU, Arthur Terry, (Melbourne Age, April 30, 2025)
RULACH, Rudy (18.10.1971 – 17.4.2025), son of the late Bernard (Bernie) Rex Rulach and Felicity (Fay) Rulach, brother of Deborah, brother-in-law of Derek. (Contributed)
SIMS, Heather (née van der Straaten), mother of Marc Sims, in Brisbane, on April 28, 2025, aged 79 years. (Contributed)
JANSEN, Jenny, wife of Chris (dec), mother of Ingrid, Christopher, David, Ian and Carolyn, grandmother of 11, great grandmother of 6. (West Australian, 1.5.2025)
DE SAYRAH, Rukman Joseph (19.3.1961 – 29.4.2025), husband of Leonie Jayasekera. Son of Royston Peter De Sayrah (Dec) and Parnel de Sayrah (née Talayratne), brother of Sharmini, Nilanthi, Dilkushi and Lalith, .brother-in-law of Sumith Wickremasekera and Shani Mendis. (Daily News, 2.5.2025)
HAMER, Diana Jean (24.11.1941 – 27.4.2025), wife of John, mother of Alexis and partner, Kate and David, grandmother of Alecia, Madison, Wilbur and Max. Sister of Janet and late Grant. (Adelaide Advertiser, 3.5.2025)
DANIELS, Susan Claire (21.2.1965 – 22.4.2025), wife of Matt, mother of Gabby and Alex, mother-in-law of Ricky. Sister of Craig, Rosemary and Jane. (Canberra Times, 3.5.2025)
WEINMANN, Julie Anne (née MENZIES), (7.3.1948 – 23.4.2025), wife of Karl, mother of Rebecca, Rachel and Benjamin (dec), randmother of Sarah and Joshua, Jessica, Joseph, Madeleine and Dane, Jack and Blake, great grandmother of Georgie. Daughter of John and Roma (both dec), sister and sister-in-law of Leonie and Grantley and Phillip. (Adelaide Advertiser, 3.5.2025)
CRAGGS, Percival Joseph “Percy” (11.1.1940 – 29.4.2025), husband of Nancy, father of Fiona, Melissa and Tiffany, father-in-law of George and Paul, grandfather of Lisa, George, Nicholas, Henri, Cristian, Caitlyn, Bryce and Ayden, great grandfather of Nora. (Adelaide Advertiser, 3.5.2025)
CHAPMAN, Beatrice Marie (22.4.1927 – 36.4.2025), wife of Len (dec), mother and mother-in-law of Maree & Brett, David & Debbie, Patricia & Dan and Clare & Otto, grandmother of Isabel, Christopher, Melissa, Kimberley, Jennifer, Daniel, Kieran, Olivia and their partners, great grandmother of Cooper, Sam, Louise, Paige, Georgia, Oliver and Hannah. (Sydney Morning Herald, 3.5.2025)
COSTA, Janet Margaret (23.6.1930 – 25.4.2025), wife of Dan (dec), mother of David, Lizza and mark (dec), grandmother of Liam, Jack, Joel, Nikea, Jarraj and Tahli, great grandmother of Luke, Isla and Maddi. (Brisbane Courier Mail, 3.5.2025)
NEWMAN, Gerard Ronald (Alf), (19.91944 – 25.4.2025), husband of Cathy, father of Paul amd Maree, father-in-law of Perizat and David, grandfather of David Connor, Macaela, Amina and Steven. (Brisbane Courier Mail, 3.5.2025)
THIELE, Clement Howarth, (28.8.1938 – 1.5.2025), husband of Janice, father and father-in-law of Patrick & Susan, Lincoln & Kirsty and Roderick & Paige, grandfather of Nathan, Ian, Sachin, Kit and Abigail. Brother of Christine. (Brisbane Courier Mail, 3.5.2025)
CHAPMAN, Moana May, (5.4.1931 – 23.4.2025), (Brisbane Courier Mail, 3.5.2025)
SPROULE, Aileen Margaret, (1.6.1925 – 29.4.2025), wife of John (dec), mother and mother-in-law of Susan & David, Deborah & Mark and Margaret & Richard, grandmother of Robert, Jacqui & Fiona, Elizabeth & Christopher and Alicia & Chloe, great grandmother of Felix & Maya and Oscar & Eleanor. (Sydney Morning Herald, 3.5.2025)
MITCHELL, Trevor, on April 11, 2025, in Brisbane. (Contributed)
DALASOORIYA, Jayasinghage Saraph, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
ROZARIO, Philomena Teresa, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
ISAACS, Kevin, son of Roger Isaacs, in Brisbane. (Contributed)
BOSTOCK, Thomas Edward (3.5.1939 – 2.5.2025), husband of Jennifer (dec), father of Stephen (dec), James, Robert and Julia, father-in-law of Luna (dec) and partner Tania Marsan. Brother of John Baynard and Andrew Keith, brother-in-law of Janet, Liz, Nigel (dec) and Helen Jackson. (Melbourne Age, 7.5.2025)
EDMONDS, Naziha Hanna (10.7.1921 0 31.4.2025), wife of Robert (dec), mother and mother-in-law of John Snr dec), John Albert and Robert & Christine (both dec). (Sydney Morning Herald, 7.5.20225)
HUGHES, Elaine, wife of Ross (dec), mother and mother-in-law of Anissa & Vernon Hill (dec), Bernice, Alton (dec) and Megan & Robert Gibson (dec), on May 3, 2025, aged 81 years. (Sydney Morning Herald, 7.5.2025)
RAJASINGHAM. Hector (Roy), (18.8.1961 – 7.5.2025), in Melbourne. (Contributed)
FERNANDO, Christine (née TAMBIMUTTU), wife of Priath Fernando, mother of Sarita Rajandran and Prasan Fernando, grandmother of Sampras De Silva, Avisha Fernando, Kayla Fernando and Mixhael Fernando. Sister of Marie Wickramatunga, Saro Mansel and late Joe Tambimuttu, in Sri Lanka on April 24, 2055. (Contributed)
GOONETILLEKE, Nalin. (St Anthony’s Parish, Noble Park, Bulletin, 11.5.2025)
LEONARD, John. (St Anthony’s Parish, Noble Park, Bulletin, 11.5.2025)
PAIVA, Desiree. (St Anthony’s Parish, Noble Park, Bulletin, 11.5.2025)
SIRIMANNE, Don Lionel (1920 – 2025), husband of Olga (dec)
VAN DORT, Ralph (Bomba), husband of Lorraine (née MORRIS), father of Charmain and Deborah (Aus), father-in-law of Chamara Warnakulasuriya, grandfather of Binera, Veniza, Acacia and Jaiden, in Sri Lanka on May 9, 2025. (Daily Mirror, 10.5.2025)
VAN DORT, James Winston, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
HOLMES, Trevor. (West Australian, 10.5.2025)
INGRAM, Stephen. (West Australian, 10.5.2025)
EDWARDS, Mary Therese, (24.8.1935 – 15.4.2025, mother of Katrina, Linden, Robert and Sally, grandmother of Matthew, Rhys, Hugh, Jessica and Thomas. Sister of Jan Hall. (Adelaide Advertiser, 10. 5.2025)
EDWARDS, Robert John (Bob), (18.5.1940 – 1.5.2025), husband of Tricia, father and father-in-law of David & Alison and Julie & Stuart, Grandfather of Taylor and Hayley. (Adelaide Advertiser, 10.5.2025)
HALLIDAY, Muriel Lorraine (Adelaide Advertiser, 10.5.2025)
CHAPMAN, Aileen Margaret (13.3.1937 – 4.5.2025), wife of David, mother of Paul, Maree, Mixchael, Madonna, Anne, grand mother and great grandmother. (Brisbane Courier Mail, 10.5.2025)
APONSO , Prof. Herbert Allan, husband of late Vimala, father of Ajith and Shyamalee, Heshan and Lakpraba, Charmalie and Ranil, grandfather of Hevithri, Shanthini, Ashani, Shalini and Asiri, great grandfather of Muththa of Kacey, Grace, Yahren and Yannick. Son of late George and late Clara, brother of late Pheobe Peiris, late Lorna Salgado and Dr. Reinzie Wickremasuriya, in Sri Lanka – 454/10B, Piachaud Gardens, Kandy, Sri Lanka (Sunday Observer, 11.5.2025)
PEREIRA, Chrissy, wife of late Aloy, mother of Sandra, Jeffrey and Tamara and Keith, grandmother of Aj and Anamarie, on May 7, 2025. (Daily Mirror 12.5.2025)
CANAGARATNAM, Thanawathie (29.10.1933 – 11.5.2025), wife of Dr Rajadurai Canagaratam, mother of Shanthikumari, Sivakumari and Selvakumari, mother-in-law of Vijay, Thevan and Satheesh, grandmother of Arjna, Abbie, Amerthn, Thinessn, Thivyan and Varaliika. in Sydney. (RIP Book, 13.5.2025 and contributed)
PATHMANANTAN, Bahirathy Devi (12.4.1936 – 12.5.2025), wife of late Sabharatnam Pathmanathan, mother of Pathmaraj, Suhanya and Shyamala, mother-in-law of Kunthavai, Sasidharan and Surendran, grandmother of Pranaven & Elizabeth, late Bavaguham & Haripriya Pathmaraj, Prashanth & Meithilesh Sashidaran, Sujan & Pooja and Sarala & Sarita Surendran, great grandmother of Rishi Pathmaraj. Daughter of late Pathvathy & Rajasundram, sister of late Ganandarajah, late Savithri Yoganathan, Sishila Wijayanayagam, Kamalini Kulasingham and late Saratha Pathmanathan, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
FOENANDER, George Phillip, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
ERNST, Steven, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
PAIVA, Desiree ‘Deso’ (née GOMEZ), (3.2.1983 – 13.3.2015, wife of Edmund Paiva (Can), mother of Devin (and Rachael) and Devika, mother-in-law of Moses Silva, grandmother of Maiya and Sofia (all Can). Daughter of late Nazarene Gomez and late Margaret Gomez, sister of Jeremy Gomez, Christine and Andrea (all Sri Lanka), sister-in-law of Ruani Gomez, Arthur, late Linus Paiva and Nimmi, Pius Paiva and Jenny and Malcolm Paiva and Julia, in Canada. (Daily Mirror, 15.5.2025)
VISSER, Terrance Lyn (11.7.1935 – 7.5.2025). Contributed.
JACOBS, RANJIT, husband of Angeline, father of Rubesh, Kevin, Alvin, father-in-law of Carrie, grandfather of Maxwell. In Sri Lanka. (Daily News, 12.5.2025)
MURRAY, Leslie, husband of Maggie, father of Michael, Jonno and Chris, grandfather of Zoe, Archie, Louis, Pippa, Albert and Rose. Brother of John, on May 11, 2025, aged 82 years, in Melbourne. (Melbourne Age, 12.5.2025)
EDMONDS, Jonathan Robert, son of Gwenda and Bob (dec), on April 25, 2025, aged 47 years. (Melbourne Age, 13. 5.2025)
RABOT, Emeile ‘Ray’, husband of betty (dec), father of Emeile & Chris and Carol & Don, grandfather of Geoffrey & Felicity. On May 7, 2025, aged 93 years. (Adelaide Advertiser, 14.52025)
SHANMUGANATHN, Vasuki (4.7.1959 – 15.5.2025), in Sydney. (Contributed)
SELVADURAI, Dr. Sathiyaledchumy, (1945 – 2025),in Melbourne. (RIP Book & Contributed)
ANTONY, Tyrone, husband of Ranjini, son of late Ben and Anne Antony, father of Daminda, Anudhini and Chaminda, father-in-law of Seon Vincent, Anoma and Padma Antony, grandfather of Kanitha, Shane, Adriana, Aminda and Ramola, brother of Aloma, Pepita, Corrine, late Errol, late Myrna, late Jean and late Brian. (Daily News, 16.5.2025)
JACOBS, RANJIT, husband of Angeline, father of Rubesh, Kevin, Alvin, father-in-law of Carri, grandfather of Maxwell. (Daily News 16.5.2025)
NUGARA, CELSUS (CELO) FELIX, father & father-in-law of Jacqueline & Leroy Silva, Carl & Gunoja Nugara, Carol & Devanashan, Carlyn Nugara, grandfather of Leanne, Christian & Caleb, husband of Della Mumtaz, brother & brother-in-law of Sandra & Gladwin Johnson (Australia), Cheryl & (late) Jurgen Wagner (Germany), Sue & Clifford Arnold (U.K). – No. 127/4, S. De S. Jayasinghe Mawatha, Kohuwala, Sri Lanka. (Daily News 15.5.2025)
EATON, Desmond, on May 7, 2025. (West Australian, 17.5. 2025)
SCHUMACHER, Marlene Dawn (née HENTSCHKE), 28.7.1944 – 13.5.2025, wife of Elmore, mother and mother-in-law of Stephen & Gini
And Nic & Kathyrn, grandmother of Hamish & Becs, Tom & Em, Angus & Kameron and Lucy, great grandmother of Goldie. (Adelaide Advertiser, 17.5.2025)
ORCHARD, Donald (Don), husband of Jenny, father of Cathie., Julie and Fiona, grandfather of Ashleigh, Jessica, Grace, Jack, Sebastian and Darius, on May 9, 2025, aged 90 years. (Adelaide Advertiser,17.5.2025)
COLOMBAGE, Conrad, on May 16, 2025, in Sri Lanka. (Contributed)
VIMALARAJAHA, Velayutham, on May 12, 2025, in Sydney. (Contributed)
PERUMAL, Ayam Fermin, husband of Romany, father of Rochelle, father-in-law of Delano Caderamanpulle, grandfather of Zacc and Leah, brother and brother-in-law of Dr. Remy and Rukmani Perumal (UK), Max and Nilkanthi Perumal (Australia), Genevieve and the late Elmo Rodrigopulle, the late Bernie and Godwin Perumal. (Daily News , 205.2025)
McHEYZER, Inez Valerie, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
HOPWOOD, George, (5.2.1946 – 19.5.2025), in Australia. (Contributed)
SIMS, Patricia, in Melbourne. (Contributed).
FERNANDO, Baby Marquessa, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
DASSENAIKE, Ranjini Cecilia, in Melbourne. (Contributed).
LaBROOY, Cameron. (St Anthony’s Parish, Noble Park, Newsletter, 25.5.2025)
SCHUBERT, Gretian, husband of Dolly Patricia (Née Melder), father of Sherrine and Sharon and late Kevin Schubert, father-in-law of Shane Thurgood and Shennon Lafaber, grandfather of Mark Shenall Schubert, brother of Jean Hayden, Christine David and Shelton Schubert, brother-in-law of late Melville David and Everard Hayden, on May 21, 2025. (Daily News, 23.5.2025)
MOTHA, Therese (née PEREIRA), (9.6.1926 – 23.5.2025), wife of late Britto Motha, mother of Lal & Vajira Motha, Priyani Kellman, Dulip & Niranjali Motha and Rohan & Sharmini Wickramaratne, grandmother of Rajeev and Johanne, great grandmother of Danielle. Sister of Nirmala (Niru) Motha in Sri Lanka. (Contributed)
MITHRASENAN, Vythilingam, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
KADUWELA, Prasanna, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
HALLIDAY, Valerie, on 23 May 2025. (West Australian, 24.5.2025)
MULHOLLAND, Thomas William (Tom), husband of Sue, father of Sarah, on 21 May 2025. (West Australian, 24.5.2025)
ISAACS, Trevor. (West Australian, 24.5.2025),
LUCAS, Victor “Luke”, (16.2.1944 – 17.5.2025). Adelaide Advertiser, 24.5.2025)
MATHESON, Neroli Ruby (née SMART), 11.5.1940 – 16.5.2025), wife of Stan (dec), mother and mother-in-law and grandmother. (Adelaide Advertiser, 24.5.2025)
DURRANT, Cyril, (29.9.1935 – 8.5.2025), husband of Fay, father of Cameron, Bradley and Kyle, grandfather and great grandfather. (Toowoomba Chronicle, 24.5.2025)
HUNTER, Margaret Lillian (née ANDERSON), 7.12.1930 – 6.5.2025). Courier Mail, 24.5.2025)
FONSEKA, Malini Senehelatha “Malini”, (30.4.1947 – 24.5.2025), daughter of Gilbert & Seelawathie Fonseka (both dec), sister of 10.
de ZOYSA, Lilamanie daughter of the late Capt. & Mrs Kenneth de Zoysa, sister of Lennox, Dhushyantha, Sriyantha, Arundathy and Ursula, sister-in-law of Blossom, Mano, Rubini and Ralph Gunawardena. (Daily News, 24.5.2025)
FRANCIS, Gregory. H, brother of Godfrey, Joyce, Tony, Antoinette (Girly), Jacintha and Lolita, brother-in-law of Sam Sathianathan, Bill Reed, late Raja Anthony, Surangani, Beatrice and Ruth. (Sunday Observer, 25.5.2025)
MEERWALD, Darell Collingwood, (7.10 1942 – 22.5.2025) in Melbourne. (Contributed & DBU Journal)
FERDINANDS, Yvette, (11.8.1952 – 24.5.2025), wife of late Lennon Ferdinands, mother of Linda, Debbie and Jarron, mother-in-law of Roy and Gerard, grandmother of Delan, Xiomara, Rioché and Solara. (Contributed)
MANICKARAJAH, Parameswary, on May 20, 2025, in Sydney. (Contributed)
JAYAWEERA, Leonard Vivian, son of late Irene and L.V. Jayaweera, husband of Lalitha, father of Kaushal, Chulani and Viraj, father-in-law of Janaka, Eshan and Shanelle, grandfather of Jinendra, Jinendri, Wirendra, Jineth, Eranda, Liasha and Leonard, great-grandfather of Koan and Julian, brother of Manel (late), Gamini (late) and Nelum (late), in Sydney. (Daily News, 28.5.2025)
RANASINGHE, Mary Claudette Beulah, wife of (late) Anthony Ranasinghe, mother of Roshan, Shiromi & Shiranthi, mother-in-law of Nimali, Ajuna and (late) Upul, grandmother of Virendra, Ashvika, Shevantha, Shenali, Nethaka, Sanuthi and Yenuka, daughter of late Capt. Francis and Mildred Perera, sister of Rontjen, Yvonne, Eardley, Carmen, Marie, Manel, Lal and Ranjani, daughter-in-law of (late) Emil and Soma Ranasinghe, 26 May 2025. (Daily News, 28.5.2025)
SPARKS, Cheryl Dianne Magella, wife of David, mother and mother-in-law of Shane & Amanda and Amy & Nick, grandmother of William, Nathan and Zara. Sister-in-law of dawn and Shirley, aged 79 years. (Brisbane Courier Mail, 28.5.2025)
KARUNAWATHE, Ratnayake Mudiyanselage, IN Melbourne (Contributed)
FERNANDEZ, Marie Celine, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
CHETTY, Dhanasagree, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
DUCKWORTH, Yvette Maivie (née Van Hoff), wife of late Alick Duckworth, mother of Alex and mother-in-law of Gayathri, grandmother of Adeleine and Gilaine. (Daily News, 30. 5.2025)
HERAT, Gwen (née Ayesha WEERAKOON), wife of late Harold Herat, mother of Shamara, Avancka and Praveen, mother-in-law of Nishan, grandmother of Zak and Mihneli. Daughter of late Ranee and Wansapala Weerakoon, sister of late Elmo, Ricky and manel, in Sri Lanka, on May 26, 2025. (Contributed)
MORTIMER, Patricia, wife of Les (dec), mother of Russ and Glen, grandmother of Timothy, James and George, great grandmother of Xavier, on May 25, 2025. (West Australian, 28.5.2025)
DE SILVA, Pushpa, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
BANDARANAYAKA, Abeyrathna (1947 – 2025), in Sydney. (Contributed)
GUINAN, Ivan Eustace, in Melbourne. (Contributed)
Note: Spelling of names as taken from original notices and contributors.
