Vale Ragini Hoole
It is with much sadness that I advise that (Dr) Rajini Hoole passed away this morning. She celebrated her 80th Birthday last December.
Rajini trained to be a doctor in Sri Lanka before moving to the UK and doing anaesthetics. She later moved to Melbourne and became a GP in Carrum Downs until she retired. She was very diligent and thorough but was slowed down when having to enter her patient notes in a computer!!
From memory, Rajini married Vijaya in Sri Lanka and they later had a son, Dilip. Dilip undertook his secondary studies at Haileybury before going on to also become a GP and marry a fellow medical student Wey Mee in 2005. They welcomed two boys Ethan and Ryan. Rajini loved to have her grandsons visit and enjoyed making birthday cakes for them – as well as curries.
Rajini was a member at Oakleigh before the Parish was formed and continued regularly for years. Her sister, Sue Roberts, also attended Oakleigh Uniting along with her husband Godwin and their son Gehan. Sue passed away early 1990s followed by Godwin some years later. Gehan married Amy and they had Sam, Isaac and Faith and settled in Beaumaris. Gehan also studied medicine and is now a Paediatrician. Rajini would frequently travel from home in Wheelers Hill to Beaumaris so that her great nephews and niece could attend Sunday School at St David’s. She was also instrumental in getting the siblings to sing and play some Christmas items during Advent.
She was very proud of the academic achievements of her son, grandchildren, nephew, great nephews and niece.
Rajini was one of the members who assisted with the St David’s Kid’s Club during worship on Sundays. She also assisted with Morning Teas and on Market Days could be found in the kitchen serving Devonshire Teas. In 2006 she was part of the Profile Task Group facilitated by Peter Wiltshire and formed close friendships with others in the group.
On Boxing Day 2004, Rajini was visiting me when we heard about the Tsunami that hit Sri Lanka – and later heard of other areas which were affected. The Parish swung into action sending Papa Mano back home early January with considerable cash funds to help those affected. This evolved into also collecting goods to send to Sri Lanka with the help of Rajini’s brother who worked in freight and covered the cost of transportation. Rajini was instrumental in us only sending items which were useful and practical. Soft toys were banned as they could not be washed if dropped (into mud) and certain coloured materials were inappropriate for Tamil people due to the ongoing “troubles” in the north of the country.
Unfortunately, Rajini lost her husband, Vijaya, in June, 2022 and struggled at home on her own suffering several falls and then being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She moved into residential care at Warrandyte Gardens Care Community (Gracedale) in Ringwood North which was near Dilip and his family. Initially Rajini continued to phone members of the congregation and appreciated getting the news and weekly messages. She reciprocated with video clips often featuring beauty of nature and singing. Over recent times this became less frequent and she couldn’t use her computer. Her brother, Indran, travelled from Dingley Village area to North Ringwood to collect Rajini and bring her to church. Occasionally they would stay for a cuppa. It was lovely to see Rajini enjoying the interaction but sad that she didn’t remember her brother.
In recent times even this was not possible. On Wednesday we were informed that Rajini was to be placed into Palliative Care that evening. Rev Dev visited her on Thursday and, as with my mother, offered a committal prayer and blessing.
At this stage, Rajini’s funeral will be at Springvale at 4.15 pm Thursday 26th September but the actual chapel is still to be confirmed. Rev Dev Anandarajan will officiate as he did for Vijaya.
We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Dilip, Wey Mee, Ethan, Ryan, Indran, the Niles and Roberts families. Please keep them and the extended family in your prayers at this sad time
Blessings
Faye Sanderson
