Celebrating a selfless life
A tribute to Norma Goonewardene Devanesan:
"For within her is a spirit intelligent, holy, unique, manifold...
invulnerable, benevolent, friendly to human beings... steadfast,
dependable, unperturbed... pure and most subtle spirits...
She is a breath of the power of God... emanation of the glory of the
almighty; so nothing impure can find its way into her...She is a
reflection of eternal light, untarnished mirror of God's active power,
an image of his goodness. Although she is alone, she can do everything;
herself unchanging, she renews the world, and generation after
generation, passing into holy souls, she makes them unto God's friends
and prophets;" (Book of Wisdom7/22-8/1).
In moments of silent reflection and prayer, when I did meditate upon
treasured memories of loved ones gone before... and as I deeply mourned
the loss of my beloved Norma amma, did I come upon these beautiful
stanzas... A life so rich, near unparalleled in goodness, silent
greatness, profound love - for God and Humankind, as her life
exemplified, seemed epitomised in these words of ancient wisdom.
All who knew her, be they great or lowly, yet did experience in some
form... the touch of her noble spirit, would behold her - as one with
these attributes - and continue to sing hosannas to her; for indeed she
was a woman full of grace and strength, profound inner beauty... an
eternal woman - undiminished with the passage of time.
Matriculation
From whence then did she inherit such attributes? How did they grow
and mature... remain preserved to its fullest for over ninety years?
We look to her roots, birth, home and early years: We see Norma
Amebelle born as the first daughter to Dr. Andrew Simon Goonewardene,
and Mrs. Amy Gunesekera Goonewardene of Westland House Panadura. A
father - a revered physician-philanthropher, who served his patients
unreservedly, devoid of financial gain, and gave magnanimously of his
wealth and estate to the church, for education and social well being,
and an aristocratic mother hailing from the mystique walauwa of 'Gandara'
would indeed have instilled within her - attributes of Christ-like
charity, and gracious characteristics of noble womanhood. As the portals
of Westland House were a home to many, it was first a place where Christ
did dwell; family prayers, hymn singing, thanksgiving, grace, being its
cornerstones. So it was, that the children of the family were kept under
the keen eye of a Governess, so they may grow in goodness and dignity.
Such nurturing under the gentle guidance of stately yet godly parents,
and devoted staff, were reflected in diverse hues in the eight children
of Westland House: from the eldest- the late Leslie Goonewardene - the
Marxist political-economist and freedom fighter, to the youngest Dr. Roy
- who served as a missionary doctor in darkest Africa.
Norma and her younger sisters were educated at Methodist College.
It is little known, that after matriculation she entered Medical
College; however, a father who deemed her too fragile for medical
training, thought it best - she remain at home. Yet one wonders...
whether her brief sojourn at college where she was an active SCM member,
was the unseen hand which lead to her destiny - her encounter with the
charismatic Cambridge scholar Dr. Chandran Devanesen from India.
Theirs' was a God ordained love, which lead her on her ordained path,
to her ultimate goal in life. Reflecting on her leave taking from
security and comfort, to face challenges of a life unknown, her son
speaks thus:
"Amma left her luxurious home in Sri Lanka to join Dad- she never
again lived in a house that she. .or her family owned. But where ever
she lived she created a home of love, joy and food for all.... Dad
having rejected many prestigious jobs, was lead by his missionary
zeal...to the remote Christian College in West Bengal... Amma's first
home with dad was..in a small house, on a small income...the house being
invaded by monkeys and.. wild animals..." (Dayalan Devanesen 7th May
2015).
Her narrative of goodness takes us through the years she supported
her husband at Madras Christian College, constantly opening her doors,
her heart...to student, staff and visitor, even creating a home for
tribal and underprivileged students without shelter! Such giving-
despite the demands of motherhood and the upbringing of three boys...
years recalled by her expanse of loving students - far and wide, as a
time of unforgettable love, epitomising the name she now bore -'Savithri'.
So, she remained ever revered, by the protégées of Prof. Chandran, as
many of them taking on high office in the land - even ministerial
portfolios, first paid homage at their mentor's feet.
Yet, running through the diverse facets of this rich and abundant
life of Chandran and Savithri, thrived the thread of sacrificial service
to the poor. For this-as the ultimate fruition of their labours, stands
eternal - their foundation: 'Roofs for the Roofless'; founded upon the
theological precept of Dietrich Bonhoeffer: 'The goal of Christian life
is to be a blessing to others... we are called to participate in God's
sufferings with the poor and the oppressed by serving them...'
Shaken
The untimely passing of Prof. Chandran in 1982 must surely have
shaken the foundation; yet the courageous and ever dedicated Savithri
donned the mantle of Director, and carried on his mission with great
fervor. Bearing Chandran's diary and handkerchief in her bag, she
commenced by re-dedicating the Rural Community Centre and College in his
name. Her untiring efforts along with her committed staff for over
thirty years, supported by like minded pilgrims from around the world
has seen the foundation grow - to include a Computer Training Laboratary;
Technician Training Facility; Agricultural support schemes; Aged Care
Centers; Livelihood support for women; Nursery schools and playgrounds,
to name but a few...
A lifetime of service she rendered with immense love...climbing two
flights of stairs to her office, five days of the week, with youthful
zest - well into her nineties... The village visits she continued to
undertake despite her advancing years, her passionate desire to visit
communities at Christmas with gifts for all... are recounted with wonder
by her staff. Her powerful Christmas messages phrased in poignant verse
reached over 1,000 friends... to the last of her days:
"Lord, this Christmas, help us to light lamps of love and service in
our hearts, to find meaning in life by rededicating our lives our hopes
ourselves to the service of God and to humanity...(Savithri Devanesen)"
She was admired by dignitaries of church and state, yet was better
loved as 'Amma' by the lowly folk of her villages, the numerous poor she
befriended as she walked her mission upon the dusty roads... from day to
day... She was 'the lady who pawned her anklets to re-thatch the roof of
her cook rendered homeless by the rains...who gave up gold bangles as
she was kindred spirit with those deprived; refused the comfort of
airconditioning - as 'her people' had no such luxuries...' Is it wonder
then - that as her health and vitality tragically diminished during her
last days... queues formed at her door seeking the chance to kneel by
her, pray for her, perhaps touch her hand and have it placed upon their
brow in final blessing.. Indeed she was a 'saint...' as many eulogised
at her passing, yet in celebration of her rare and selfless life.
Yet to me - a simple niece, this great lady, forever remains 'my
beloved Norma amma...' my god mother... a true gift from heaven...
To recount our blessed relationship would be another poignant tale...
Lessons
Suffice to say - the lessons she taught me remain enshrined within my
heart: 'To tread the path of womanhood with nobility and dignity; to
face adversity with courage and strength; to accept rejection with grace
and calm; to bear tragedy and suffering with equanimity and serenity; to
see beauty in simplicity and humility; to know the joy of sacrificial
giving... above all - to experience the love of God and Humankind, as we
look with empathy and kindliness ...upon the manifold faces of poverty
... as we walk the highway of life.
You are forever loved ... Norma amma...
Your god-daughter - Mithrani. |
