Appreciation - Lynnette Fernando

She is now in the hands of God.

Such a gentle creature of His making. With no harsh word spoken or anger shown. She cared, and was caring.

A companion and mate to Oliver, for 50 years and more, she quietly and lovingly shared the changing seasons of their life at home and abroad. A mother to Ian, Anil and Dayamal, she served them encouragement and hope through trial and test to bring them each to their goal.

In the 70s, when Oliver was responsible for the Provincial General Hospital Services in Kurunegala, the Ministry Secretary, after completing his inspection there, remarked “Dr. Fernando, I have been to more hospitals than I can count, but yours ranks as the best” To which Oliver humbly replied “Sir for this praise, I have only my wife to thank.” Lynnette never grudged the extra working time, and they were long hours that Oliver put in at the hospital.

The evenings in Kurunegala would lead me often to Oliver’s for talk in the way that friends do, and Lynnette would prevail on me to share a meal. Her hospitality was without ostentation, and like everything about her, came straight from that gracious heart.

In Nigeria, when Oliver was a Senior Lecturer in Epidemiology at the University of Ile-Ife, she made use of her talents in the fine arts to teach children the fundamentals of aesthetics.

A few months ago, we were at lunch, when she told me that she was not all that well, and on meditation. I was strangely uneasy, and struggled with the thought that the days ahead may see her taken.

So it happened, and I am left now to write this tribute, which I willingly do to honour her memory. He who made the lamb made thee. Dr. J.G. Hattotuwa