April 27, 2013, 6:19 pm

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On April 12, 2012, my grand-aunt, Dr Stella de Silva, passed away peacefully at home leaving behind a large void in our family and in the medical profession that cannot be filled. Indeed it was a testament to how loved she was, that at the time of her passing she was surrounded by most of her family, (almost 15 of us!) including my two aunts who haven’t left her side for many months prior.


Dr Stella was always ‘dostara achchi’, the lady who looked after several generations of children in her 60 years of service. My brother and I were badly asthmatic when we were younger and constantly in and out of her house. She was an amazing doctor, with a magical healing touch. Miraculously I would be struggling to breathe at home, and as soon as I got to her house, was instantly better.


Matriarch and family advisor, it was to her that everyone went to with their problems and despite her extremely busy schedule she always had time to sit, listen and advice if needed. Most of the time you didn’t have to ask her for help, she knew what was needed for us even if at that time we didn’t know ourselves! Her home always had open doors and almost every member of our immediate family would have lived at her home at some point in their lives. Because she would only finish seeing patients late, we could only visit her late at night and although I’m sure she would have been exhausted she always made time to talk to us. She also had a great sense of humour and could always take a joke even against herself.


Although she was dedicated to her profession, Doctor Achchi had many interests and it was this that made her an even more fascinating person. She was very well travelled, travelling overseas at least once a year, diligently photographing everything as evidenced by the scores of photo albums in her room. She was also an avid reader, having collected over a 1,000 books over the years!


She was not married, but was extremely close to her large extended family or nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. To me as a young child, completely unaware of how respected and sought after she was as a doctor, it was her thoughtfulness that struck out. She knew how much I loved reading and every time she went abroad she would buy me a book, never the same title twice, and I was just one in an immediate family of almost 30.


One year after your passing, Dostara achchi, it’s still hard to imagine you’re no longer with us. Words cannot express how much you are missed. We are better people for having had you in our lives. May you attain the supreme bliss of Nibbana.


Nadeeka de Silva

island.lk