Ms. Jholikan (Madame Lynn Kara) Manikam

Jolly Manikam of Lee’s Summit, MO, formerly of Antananarivo, Madagascar passed away on August 9, 2010. Visitation will be held from 5:30-6:30 p.m. followed by funeral services at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 12, at Mt. Moriah & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd. In Missouri she is survived by her son Gerald Solo Manikam of Lee’s Summit, MO. Condolences may be given at www.mtmoriah-freeman.com.

'From my Loving Mother'

By: Gerald Solo Manikam

For those of you that loved and cherished my life with me, I thank you.

For those of you who were there as my life on Earth ebbed away, I also thank you.

And for all of you that support and care for my loved ones I leave behind I especially thank you. It is with Compassion, Love, and Caring that we join as one in our humanity.

My body is now frail but my spirit soars. It soared every time I saw the multi-colors of fall foliage or the innocent smile of a child. My heart ached when I listened to Chopin or cried when I saw a sad movie such as Christopher Reeves and Jane Seymore's 'Somewhere in Time' or of course the tear jerking 'An Affair to Remember'. I would always intently listen with a smile when my son played the piano or sometimes sit and play myself. I still cowered at the sound of lightning and slept with a small light through the night. Like most women, my passion was shoes and I wore Lanvin or Chanel No.5. As a lady, I rarely laughed out loud and a smile often sufficed. The nod of my head, the glint in my eyes or a gentle touch of my hand showed my approval. My heart was always one of concern for others and of a giving nature. My heart remained young with an amazing sense of humor. I enjoyed cooking and sharing a meal, so entertaining guests was a way of sharing my love. I never shied away from new experiences. And my dear Andrew Zimmern of the Bizarre foods show, you really entertained me. I would have dined with you any day...except for some of that strange looking wormy stuff.

I was proud, but not to a fault. I always prided myself in how I looked and dressed. Remember, it is in how people perceive you that they judge and respect you. How many a times my family grumbled that we were late to an appointment because I was still dressing and primping.

In my life, I grew up in Madagascar and started recording as a singer in my late teens. The songs I sang were composed for me and embodied the soul of the Malagasy spirit. My father passed away when I was young. My Mother, Bébé was very close to me. She was a landlord and my two siblings and I grew up on her estate. My older brother Emile, was a doctor. He has six children. In his life he saved two people from drowning but he himself drowned while on vacation with his family. My sister Celine was a devoted housewife and has four children. I also had my first child, a son. His name was Claude Razafimahefa and nicknamed Lody. He was always a kind and gentle boy. When he was a young man he joined the French army and traveled to many places I only then dreamed of. Much later on he had two sons, Michael and Francky and two daughters, Claudia and Ando. When his wife passed away with cancer, Claudia came and lived with us for a few years then went on to school in the U.S. Going back to just after WW2 was when I met Gerry, my husband to be. He was a Major in the British Army stationed in Antananarivo the Capital of Madagascar. He was a dashing officer who originally was from Ceylon. Our early life together was in England. I received a degree in designing while my husband went to Hendon Police College. I still performed and recorded vocally. I performed live on stage and over the radio and recorded in London, Paris, Ceylon, Tanzania and Madagascar. My performing name was Madame Lynn Kara.

Gerry and I then moved to East Africa where he was made Chief of the CID in Tanzania. He held that role in many parts of the country for twenty five years. In that time we traveled all over the world, often by long and wonderful sea voyages. In those years, Africa was not always an easy place to live. The sadness in my life was when I lost three children to miscarriages and one to a medical malpractice. An answer to prayer was Solo. Pronounced Sulu, it is a Malagasy name traditionally given to a child born after one or more lost ones. It in fact means 'the one gifted in exchange of a lost one'. He was Baptized Gerald Andrew James Manikam. A late reminder from my Mother, added Solo as a nickname.

In Arusha, Tanzania, I was the on-site construction and designer for the house we built and lived in. When Gerry retired, he started his work with the Anglican Church. This was his passion and he dedicated his time to Christ Church of Arusha for the next twenty five years. In my time I was not only a homemaker but also owned a dress designing store and a small tour company taking tourists to the Tanzanian National Parks. I am proud to have personally know four Presidents or Presidents to be. I spoke four languages fluently. My favorite pastime of all was fishing. I was always candid and spoke my mind. I supported Gerry in many of his ventures including Chairman of a School board and president of the Rotary Club. On July 31, 2001, my attentive, loving and caring husband of nearly sixty years preceded me in death. He passed away in my arms, and I missed him so.

I then started my new adventures here in the U.S. To keep my mind from dwelling in any sorrow, Solo dragged me all over the place, Europe, South America and almost every tourist attraction here in the States....including a place in Western Nebraska called 'Carhenge'. A replica of Stonehenge, created from vintage American-made automobiles. How strange.

Many a times, when I sit and close my eyes, I still see the rich red soil of Madagascar and my Mother's tiered rice paddy fields. It is an island of amazing plant and animal life. I see my home in Tanzania, East Africa where Gerry and I built our life and made many lifelong friends. It is a country I tell everyone I meet that they should save up and one day go and see. The wildlife will take your breath away. I see my latest chapters of life here in the States and the joy I had in a new land. I have embraced what America has shown me. Having traveled to or through 49 of the 50 states was wonderful, and Alaska would have been too cold for me anyway. There is so much to see in this land. Please go see and experience it. Cherish life my friend, it passes oh so fast. Live it with no regrets and 'I wishes. . .' I can thankfully say I was gratified and had all I wanted for in life. The secret of contentment is exemplified in Saint Paul's words:

"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives." me strength." Phillippians 4: 11-13

As I lay my head down to sleep awhile, I see across the bridge a host of close friends and family who have gone on before me. I see Bébé, my Mother, Emile my brother, and my beloved husband Gerry, all of whom I have so passionately missed. They are waiting to take my hand and lead me on. I see my Savior, the Lord Jesus smiling radiantly at me with his arms open wide. If you mourn for me, do not do so for long for I am going home. Physically just a husk remains but my spirit lives on. It lives on in my friends, my family and you my loved ones. This is not goodbye, it is 'Au Revoir' for we shall meet again someday.

Arrangements under the direction of Mt. Moriah and Freeman Funeral Home in Kansas City, MO.