A willing heart and a helping hand

Pearl Chandra Thamotheram

By V.R. Amarasingham

I first came to know Chandra when I married her sister, Christabelle, in 1959.

Her father, the late Rev. D.N. Muthiah, was a senior Methodist pastor who with his wife, Grace Chellammah, served in many parts of the island. Her brother, the late Rev. Dr. Kingsley Muthiah, was the president of the Methodist Church of Sri Lanka.

Chandra, wife of late Jeyam Thamotharam, was the eldest in the family and she too played a vital role in the affairs of the Methodist Church. She was the superintendent of the Sunday School of Moor Road Methodist Church and was also in many organizing committees. After her retirement as an English trained teacher she taught at the Primary School of Methodist College, Kollupitiya.

She was versatile in many other activities. Having undergone a course in the teaching of English as a second language, she was always willing to give her expertise and knowledge to children who could not afford tuition fees. She was fluent in spoken Sinhalese and could interpret messages from English or Tamil.

She was the first Secretary of the NGO, Growing Old Gracefully, which later was registered by the Social Services Department as Ageing Gracefully. She had a willing heart and a helping hand. Her late youngest sister and brother-in-law, Rosemary and Gunaratnam were living with her for eight years in the mid 1990's. Her home was open to many from different religions and ethnic communities. There were many church committees, prayer groups and Ageing Gracefully committees that met in her home at Wellawatte.

Before I left Sri Lanka, I was one of the vice-patrons of the Colombo South Old Boys' Association of St. John's College, Jaffna. Her home was graciously opened for a number of get-togethers of this association.

All in all, she had many lovable qualities and good relationships that brought in a large circle of friends. Until a few months before her demise, she was able to meet her multifaceted responsibilities.

She leaves her loving daughter Olive, son-in-law Anton, and grandson Joshua; also the families of her sister Christabelle, brothers Wesley and Princely, and wives Tencey and Rohini, sister-in-law Grace Muttiah, and very many friends and relations who will miss her endearing qualities. We thank God for her life which is worthy of emulation.