Thilaka Ratnayeke

Thilaka Rohini Ratnayeke, 86, of San Antonio, Texas, went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday night, November 26, 2024. She was surrounded by her family when she passed away peacefully. She was united in marriage for 49 years to her loving husband, Nihal Ratnayeke. He preceded her in death on December 20, 2005.

Thilaka was born in Sri Lanka on March 2, 1938, to James and Lillian Jayawardena. She grew up and lived in Sri Lanka and Singapore and finally migrated to San Antonio, Texas. She graduated from St Bridget’s Convent in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where she excelled in sports, especially Netball and the Arts. On December 19, 1955, she met Nihal Ratnayeke, a recent graduate of the Royal Air Force, Cranwell, with a group of friends planning for Dance later that night. At the Dance, they fell in love instantly, and he proposed, and she accepted within 2 hours of that first meeting and married a year later, on December 22, 1956.

Thilaka was involved in various arts and exhibited her copper artwork in 1973 in Colombo. She was also a talented cook and baker. Thilaka was introduced to golf by Nihal and became an avid golfer, winning many club tournaments in Singapore.

In San Antonio, she was an active member of St. Anthony de Padua Church, where she served as a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Society of Lady of Guadalupe, the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary, and the ACTS Movement. She was actively involved, with Nihal, in fundraising to restore the Little Shrine of St. Anthony de Padua. Thilaka and Nihal were instrumental in bringing a Relic of St. Anthony de Padua to the church, which currently resides below the statue of St. Anthony inside the church.

Thilaka is preceded in death by her parents, James and Lillian Jayawardena; parents-in-law Sonny and Brenda Ratnayeke; her sister Winitha (KS Perera); her brothers Wickrama (Lakshmi), Mahinda (Shirleen), Gamini (Malika) Jayawardena, Sri Lanka, and her son Neomal Ratnayeke.

She is survived by sons Nilkamal (Jovita), Nilan (Tanny), Julian Nihal (Laura); daughter-in-law Valerie; grandchildren Rae, James (Yvette), Sean, Rita, David (Isabel), Alyce, Nalin (Pam), Neesha, Naveen, Neela, Joshua, Ronali and Nicolas Ratnayeke; great-grandchild Chloe Ratnayeke; and various nieces and nephews.

The viewing will be held on December 11th at 5:30 pm at Sunset Funeral Home (1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX, 78218), with the Vigil Service at 7 pm. The Catholic Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, December 12th, at 10:30 a.m., at St Anthony de Padua Catholic Church (102 Lorenz Rd, San Antonio, TX 78209) and live-streamed on the Church's Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/stanthonydepaduasa/live_videos). The Committal Service will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. A reception will follow at St Anthony de Padua Catholic Church Hall.

The family of Thilaka wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the Seraphic Sisters, nurses, and staff of St. Francis Nursing Home for their exceptional care. The family would also like to thank Fr. Kevin Shanahan, Deacon Joe Borrego, the staff and parishioners of St. Anthony de Padua Church, and the friends and relatives of Thilaka for their warm wishes and prayers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made in Thilaka’s name to:

St. Francis Nursing Home. Address: 630 W. Woodlawn Ave, San Antonio, TX 78212. Website: https://www.stfrancisnursinghome.org/index.php/support