From Sharmi Peiris in Hong Kong

It was at a Sri Lankan dinner dance, held many years ago in Hong Kong, that we first met George and Fawzia. We were all seated at the same table with some other friends too. It didn't take long for Fawzia to introduce herself and our friendship began.

Having got to know Fawzia better over the years, there were many features that stood out in her. The big smile she always had wherever you met her said many things about her. You never found her being angry or stressed over anything which was a remarkable feature in her. Being gentle, honest, helpful and her caring ways were some of her other great qualities. How remarkable to have all these qualities in just one person but that was who Fawzia was.

It was very clear when talking to George and Fawzia, how they loved the outdoor life and having picked Sai Kung as their home in Hong Kong, made it easier for them to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. We joined them on walks to the Sai Kung Country Park which was close to where they lived and a memorable trip to an Island close by, ending up at the newly opened Sri Lankan Restaurant in Sai Kung. Fawzia's thirst to see and travel the world was very evident in all the foreign trips she made. Simply enjoy life seemed to have been her motto.

Fawzia was a well read person and would love to talk about the latest book she had read. Her love of books and teaching went hand in hand and all the numerous students who had the privilege of having had a mentor like Fawiza have truly been fortunate. Her thirst to help the less privileged in Sri Lanka was one of her prime concerns and in her humble way, many benefited by her generosity.

Very often, when we talked about our families back in Sri Lanka, she would always make it a point to talk specially about her elderly relatives and all her cousins whom she loved dearly. Visiting and spending as much time with them was one of the first things she wanted to do as soon as she arrived in Sri Lanka. They are all going to miss her terribly.

Having attended the memorial service at a packed hall at the Alliance International Church in Hung Hom, Hong Kong on February 22nd, just showed what an impact Fawzia had on so many she met in her daily life. One saw many heads nodding in agreement to what was said about Fawzia in the tributes rendered by her friends. To see Fawzia's big smile on the screen made it all so real. It was at this service, we learnt more about Fawzia's school days, when a tribute from Geroge was read out. Her talents in all types of games and athletics and all the extra curricular activities she excelled in and enjoyed so much by her, just showed what an all rounder Fawzia had been. It was this excitement we always saw in Fawiza wherever she was.

George, Roy, Shannon and Nelum - you can be so proud of a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother ,Fawzia was to you all. For who she was. Wherever she is, she will be looking down upon you and taking care of you all, smiling that big smile. That was Fawzia.

May you rest in peace.

Sharmi

With Sharmi & Sriyal, at the High Island Reservoir in Sai Kung Country Park. December, 2009

From Joanna in Hong Kong

To Fawzia, from the Bird of Paradise

Do you remember how you

chased me

in between

the trees

my feathers breathlessly

fluttering

like your heart?

My plumage, angel’s wings

unfolded

skywards.

The sun glanced through

thick foliage.

There were echoes inside us

each the other

admiring.

I wished to be your

bright smile

your feet firmly planted

knowing the earth.

You wished to be me.

My wings’ taut sinews.

My penetrating song.

My endless capacity

for flight.

Joanna Radwańska-Williams

February 27^th, 2012

Fawzia's proudest moment - Roy's wedding

With Victor Ratnayake

In March 2008, I organized Victor's "Sa" concert in Hong Kong. Victor stayed with us for five days, some of the happiest days we spent at Clover Lodge.

Fawzia and Victor got on famously. When he came down with a slight cold, Fawzia boiled a herbal mixture. Victor, with a sheet draped over his head, sat at the dining table and inhaled the steam. Soon, he was fine. Fawzia also did the make-up for Victor before the concert, and, of course, took him shopping! Victor sought Fawzia's opinion on hair dyes.

On the roof of Clover Lodge

With Nirosha and Chanuka.

Leaving for the concert. Fawzia did the makeup for Victor.

Shopping in Sai Kung

On January 26, we had a long lunch with Victor and his daughter in Colombo at the "Chutneys" Indian restaurant at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel. Fawzia hadn't seen Victor in nearly two years, and we also wanted to invite him for Nelum's baptism. After the lunch, we were driving to Ragama when the accident happened.

More photos from memorial service on Feb. 22 in Hong Kong

Isabella Taylor

Mark Taylor

Justin Enns

Lori Enns

Pastor Mike Rose

Linda Reeves

In Sydney

In 2006, we visited Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne. In Sydney, our hosts were Ahmar and Huma, who drove us everywhere.

On the rod to Goolongong

At the Blue Mountains

At the Harbor Bridge

With Huma & Ahmar

In China

Fawzia made a number of visits to China. She saw Beijing, Jinan, Shanghai, and Wuhan.

In Wuhan

At the museum near Wuhan

On the shores of East Lake in Wuhan

In Beijing, on another visit to China

On the Great Wall

In Beijing

In Qifu, the birthplace of Confucius

On Tai Shan mountain, in Shandong Province

In cable car going up Tai Shan mountain

With our friend Junju Wang, who took us to Beijing and Shandong Provice (Jinan, Tai Shan Mountain, Qifu)

In Suzhou, on another visit to China

From Dilshad Casather in Sri Lanka

Linda aunty, or as my daughter used to call her, 'Apple Nana', was the only aunt I had from my maternal side. She was more than a aunt to me and my siblings. When she was around, it was always very lively and sorrow was not an option.

When Travis joined our family as my husband, aunty always treated him as if he was her very own son. She even supported him financially to complete his hotel school degree which was the stepping stone of his present success in his career.

Aunty was a true pillar of strength in dark times. She was one of the very first to come forward when I was told to do a Kidney transplant in 1999. It was a big blow to my family, as Farah, my daughter was only 4 years old. Linda Aunty gave courage to both me and Travis to pull through. She supported us to the end, financially as well. She is one of the main reasons why I'm able to stand on my own two feet and watch my daughter grow.

Aunty was always concerned about my health. She hated when people made comments about my recovery after the transplant. She said it was evil eye, and that I shouldn't say I'm doing well.

The most memorable day for me of aunty was the 24th of January, 2012, the day that she arrived at my place. She started the stay by complaining about immigration officers but soon was enjoying a lovely lunch prepared by her sister specially for her, including most of her local favorites. I was fortunate to have her with our family off day, and she enjoyed the sing along and the lovely cup of tea Travis prepared for her, that evening.

Aunty was very proud to hear about Travis being nominated as "The Stand-out individual for the John Keells leisure group" and took charge to edit his profile for the award while having some sparkling wine along with cheesy omelet, which was also prepared by Travis. She enjoyed going through my daughter's wardrobe and accessories. Farah is 17 now, and this showed that aunty was still young at heart.

On the 26th of January, just after her lunch at Cinnamon Grand Hotel, she bid farewell and gave a hug and a kiss to Travis, in hopes of seeing us pretty soon. Seldom did we realize that it would be the last farewell kiss a member of our family received.

I will always thank Allah for giving me such a wonderful person for an aunt. May she rest in peace for eternity.

Loving niece, Deeka (Dilshad Mahamoor Casather)

From Shirley Mahamoor in Sri Lanka

Fawzia Hannan Braine was my beloved sister. Among the two of us, she was the more lively, and although Hamlin happens to be my brother, she was more of a tomboy than he ever was. She was up to all the mischief, and because of her, my school life was very interesting. In the good old days, we used to send postcards to the radio program "Listener's Choice" requesting for beautiful English songs that we enjoyed. I also remember making a collection of songs, where she used to write them down and I used to find pictures of the relevant singer.

Although my early marriage and her career kept us apart, she kept in touch by frequently writing to me and later by telephoning me. She never failed to be in touch with me and all the time it was as if she was there in person. Though she a son of her own, she was also a mother to my three children, and a very loving sister-in-law to my husband. There would have been plenty of moments where they disagreed but they were very loving to each other. Though he was her brother-in-law she used to call him, 'Rasi uncle'.

Linda was always the strongest, in mind and soul, and I will never forget the courage and support she offered me to pull through during my eldest daughter's kidney transplant. In the darkest moments of my life, she was my guiding light.

Even though that light empowers me no more, as if a part of me has gone missing, I will always cherish the sweet memories she and I had together, till I meet her,somewhere, in time.

Dear little sister, (iron lady) May Allah bless you and be with you.

Your sister, Shirley (Zuleiha Hannan Mahamoor)

From Eileen Dane in Sri Lanka

We still hear your laughter pouring forth,

Like gurgling water, sharing your mirth.

Relating jokes of your carefree training college days,

Our friendship you nurtured with your caring ways.

Never did we dream it would end like this,

Leaving us grieving, your presence we miss.

On your journey from catnap to eternal sleep,

Your tryst with Destiny you had to keep.

Dear Fawzia...We pray for you and for your peace and bliss in the Hereafter.

Photos from the Memorial Service on Feb. 22 in Hong Kong

From the Chinese University Women's Organization

From Joanna Radwanska-Williams & Josephine Yam

From the English Dept. of HK Shue Yan University

Having fun

Quoting Mark Taylor: “This first picture is one you haven’t seen before and I put it in a PowerPoint loop that we showed during the refreshment time [of the memorial service]. It personifies Fawia’s zest and joy for life, and that little girl image running after the Asian Paradise Flycatcher that you described so well and made everybody smile!

The photo was taken by Donny Lam at the AIC [Alliance International Church] Family Retreat last Autumn. Fawzia is swinging with Angela Wong with whom she was thinking about helping in her ministry to English speaking women prisoners in Hong Kong! I want to add Donny’s words to me today about what happened as he took this picture:

‘That swing thing will go faster and faster without much manoeuvring. I had to give a hand to stop it after Angela found herself having too much of a spin and was begging Fawzia [to] stop making it go faster. I do not think she did that intentionally, but Fawzia's face told the whole world she was enjoying it a lot, like a little girl, humming a tune too. As I remember, both ladies could not stand on their feet properly for a while.’”