Manohari Jayaweera (23 Apr 1966 - 2 Feb 2017)

I first met Mano at church as a teenager many years ago. Although we were from different backgrounds, we hit it off and soon became friends. As I lived more than an hour away from our church, Mano thoughtfully invited me to her home at weekends to enable me to go to church. My parents being nurses worked most weekends and could not go to church regularly so I used to stay at my friends’ houses to go to church.

Staying with Mano, Uncle Neville and Aunty Trixie was an enjoyable experience that still brings happy memories. From the beginning, I realised the close loving relationship Mano had with her parents. I remember Mano and my girly chats about anything and everything. I remember Aunty Trixie’s wonderful cooking…everything Aunty Trixie made was delicious…her scrambled eggs were the fluffiest in the whole world. Mano and I used to have deep conversations with Uncle Neville, who would enlighten us from his knowledgeable library of never ending information. I remember our drives to church; Uncle Neville was a very careful and slow driver. On the other hand being in a car with Aunty Trixie felt like you were on a Grand Prix circuit!. Often on the way to church Uncle Neville would be so engrossed in imparting his knowledge that he would not notice the traffic lights changing from red to amber to green! It was Mano’s gentle “Thathi…the lights are green!” that would prompt Uncle Neville to move on. Mano was such a loving daughter.

Mano was also a caring friend. The night before my first wedding, we were helping with arranging the reception hall and it was getting late. I had to go back to Gravesend where I lived and come back the next day. I decided to stay in our flat in Raynes Park and Mano promptly decided to stay with me so that I wouldn’t be on my own. She was so thoughtful that way.

The years went by and Mano and I lost touch for a few years. We met up again after Mano got married. I was so very pleased that Mano had met such a lovely, kind man as Edmund and even more pleased when Max came along. Motherhood came naturally for Mano and it was wonderful to see her interaction with Max.

It was a complete shock to discover that Mano was fighting cancer, but I realised just how much Mano had become close to God over the years, that God gave her the strength and courage to stand on his word over her life. Deut 31:6 comes to mind which says ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Mano was definitely strong and courageous and God never left her. Even the last time I visited Mano, her thoughts were only of Max, Edmund and her beloved Ammi and Thathi. Even then she was thoughtful of others needs before her own.

Mano, thank you for your thoughtfulness and your friendship. I know you are resting with God now and at peace.