I am sorry that I am unable to say this in person, but due to our family tragedy this is a very difficult time for us and so I chose to stay home and look after my mother who is not cleared to travel at this time. 
As I sat down to write this speech about my grandmother I didn't know where to start or what to say. How can you quickly summarize the amazing woman that my grandmother was. Anyone that met her would agree that she would greet you with a big smile, make you feel instantly like part of her family, she would undoubtedly try to feed you some of her delicious home cooked food, you would mostly likely share a good laugh over some interesting stories of hers, and you would eventually leave with a big smile on your face. You see, my grandma had a great way with people. She loved 
to meet new people, connect with people, but most important was that she always helped people. This in fact was the most important part of the legacy she passed down through the generations from her children to her grandchildren. She instilled in each of us the necessity to always help those in need, whenever and however we can. This is the reason why many of us chose careers that involve helping people and why we continue to do many charitable acts as a family.
My grandma also had many other qualities that I was fond of: she had a great sense of humor, she really knew how to have fun in life, she was very adventurous, and she was fearless. After all, it would take all of these great qualities for her to have accomplished all that she had in life. It takes a sense of humor and the ability to enjoy life to be a Planters wife in upcountry. It takes strength and fearlessness to send my mother to America, and then follow her, eventually bringing the entire family over. And it takes her immense sense of compassion to be surrounded and loved by the many people she had helped throughout her life.
I will always hold close the many wonderful and loving memories of the time spent with my grand

My Darling Mom,

I am so sorry that I am unable to attend your funeral today, but I know you understand why I couldn't travel there.

Mom, you have shown me great love and affection throughout my childhood, sent me to good schools and when the opportunity arose you did not hesitate to send me to America.

I fondly remember my childhood growing up on tea plantations in upcountry. Dad was the only Sinhalese planter in Dickoya, where almost everyone else was of British origin. I have such wonderful memories of you throwing parties for friends, prime ministers, ministers, and other dignitaries. Those were the good old days that you often reminisced about. You used to say that you left a luxurious life in Sri Lanka to come here in order to help your children. We are so very thankful for the sacrifice that you made because it provided us with greater opportunities in life.

Mom, you have been a great example to me and my siblings. You taught us how to live life to the fullest, to have a great sense of humor, to always help those in need and most importantly that family is the greatest source of strength.

I really admire how many people you have helped in Sri Lanka, most notably constructing a temple for the villagers of Mawarella and helping to build schools in rural villages for children with disabilities. You continued helping people even after moving to the US by sponsoring many families, as well as supporting those families to establish themselves in the States. You were one of the first to organize the Sri Lankan Association and establish the Buddhist temple in Las Vegas. I am so proud of all that you have achieved in your 88 years.

From a young age you instilled in me a desire for exploration and adventure. Every school holiday you took us on grand adventures all over our beautiful island. As I grew older I held onto that same sense of adventure and love of travel. I was fortunate that I could in turn take you and Dad on trips around the world every summer. I will


 My Darling Mom,

I am so sorry that I am unable to attend your funeral today, but I know you understand why I couldn't travel there.

Mom, you have shown me great love and affection throughout my childhood, sent me to good schools and when the opportunity arose you did not hesitate to send me to America.

I fondly remember my childhood growing up on tea plantations in upcountry. Dad was the only Sinhalese planter in Dickoya, where almost everyone else was of British origin. I have such wonderful memories of you throwing parties for friends, prime ministers, ministers, and other dignitaries. Those were the good old days that you often reminisced about. You used to say that you left a luxurious life in Sri Lanka to come here in order to help your children. We are so very thankful for the sacrifice that you made because it provided us with greater opportunities in life.

Mom, you have been a great example to me and my siblings. You taught us how to live life to the fullest, to have a great sense of humor, to always help those in need and most importantly that family is the greatest source of strength.

I really admire how many people you have helped in Sri Lanka, most notably constructing a temple for the villagers of Mawarella and helping to build schools in rural villages for children with disabilities. You continued helping people even after moving to the US by sponsoring many families, as well as supporting those families to establish themselves in the States. You were one of the first to organize the Sri Lankan Association and establish the Buddhist temple in Las Vegas. I am so proud of all that you have achieved in your 88 years.

From a young age you instilled in me a desire for exploration and adventure. Every school holiday you took us on grand adventures all over our beautiful island. As I grew older I held onto that same sense of adventure and love of travel. I was fortunate that I could in turn take you and Dad on trips around the world every summ

OBITUARY

Matilda Senaratne

November 14, 1929 – March 30, 2018

Palm South Jones Mortuary

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