PASSING BY There is a lady sweet and kind – By Charles Schokman
It was in the early fifties at the age of twenty-one I used to ride my bicycle from Dematagoda all the way to Bambalapitiya to visit friends living down Lorensz Rd. It was quite a distance but worth the ride.
Down that street lived Maureen Hingert and whenever she saw me pass her home, she never failed to greet me with a smile or say hello.
She, though a mere stranger was happy to make her acquaintance with me. This kind gesture of hers and endearing ways left a lasting mark in my life.
These greetings were short lived as in 1955 she was crowned Miss Ceylon and subsequently selected as a contestant in the 1955 Miss Universe pageant to finish as the second runner-up at this event. Thereafter, she decided to live in the States.
Sadly, on the 29th of June 2025 at the age of 88 she went to be with the Lord. She surely will be missed by many.
To all those near & dear to Maureen I thought this popular Ballad “Passing By” sung by Paul Robeson would be a fitting tribute to her.
