Tribute to Jennifer Latiff

“The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman is seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. True beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It’s the caring that she lovingly gives; the passion that she shows and the beauty of a woman only grows with passing years.”

Audrey Hepburn wrote this paragraph which is so very true of Jennifer Amaraskera Latiff who died two days ago of a cancer that kept her away from her friends, even before the later lockdowns were enforced.

She is mourned by so many: her sister Marie, son Yohan and daughter Suan; Yohan’s children and in-laws; and of course Kandy High School Old Girls of all ages.

Jenny, as we shortened her name to, was much younger than I, a schoolmate, but we were great friends. Her father being the parish priest of the historic St Paul’s Church very near the Dalada Maligawa, she attended Girls’ High School, Kandy, from Baby Class to AL. I chatted just now with one of her classmates – Kamini Jayasekera. Her expression of Jenny being a lovely person had the ‘lovely’ drawn out, accompanied by a quiet sob. Mayanthi Kulatunge Jayakody informing KHS OGA (Colombo Branch) members of Jenny’s death wrote: “Above all, she was a wonderful and lovable lady who touched the heart of anybody who she came across. She will be dearly missed at all our future events.” Obviously when the President Sylvia Wijekoon rang me, her voice indicated shed tears.

Yes, Jennifer was a truly wonderful woman, so genteel and soft spoken, so concerned about others. About eight of us Old Girls of KHS of all ages from 90s down to 40s would meet for lunch and birthdays in one home or another. We loved gossiping and often even maligning –politicians mostly. Not Jenny to utter a word of gossip or blame. She did not reprimand us. No, she would listen and smile, but it was totally alien to her to run people down.

Our small group went on trips together, one being a very memorable stay in Nuwara Eliya. One room in the row of rooms we occupied at the Golf Club was occupied by a political VIP who often kept his door open. Many were the irrepressible giggles and tall tales. No comment from Lady Jenny. On our outstation forays, while we wore rubber slippers and had our hair awry, Jenny always wore shoes, a neat skirt and modest blouse with her short hair very much in place. She was an excellent tripper, readily agreeing to plans made and consenting to any likely changes. She was fun too, making us laugh at her asides, never malicious, but spicy.

Life of service

Jennifer served Ceylon Tobacco Company for long in a secretarial position and was approved and liked by all. She then moved to being secretary to Mr Merril Fernando at Dilmah around 15 years ago. At the tail end of her stay, a friend said, she started on Mr Fernando’s biography. However she had to abandon it as she fell ill.

Most noteworthy and remarkable was her dedication and service to the Colombo Branch of the KHS OGA. She must have served in it for well over 25 years, being a committee member when Hema Jayasinghe followed by her sister Chitra Abeyaratne were Presidents. We worked together – Jenny and I and friends in our small group – in the OGA Colombo Branch. Jenny served two terms as Secretary, two as President and was from 2018 to 2020 Patron of the Association. She was a patron who attended every committee meeting, not called for but time sacrificed to better serve.

It has been mentioned that Jennifer was ever ready to help others. I quote one instance. An Old Girl, much older than Jenny, needed a lift to events. Jennifer would always pick her up and drop her back home, even when she was holding the post of Secretary or President and in spite of wanting to be one of the first at the venue. When this person became somewhat disabled, Jennifer did more for her. She would bring her and her helper and lead the former solicitously to her seat. Jenny’s car and she as driver were always at hand for those who needed lifts.

Jennifer will be sorely missed by so many. Our group lunches and KHS OGA events will not be the same without Jenny’s presence. But that is life and partings have to be accepted. Thinking of her, the phrase ‘She walks in beauty’ kept going through my mind. Hence I quote many lines from George Gordon Byron’s poem with that phrase as title.

“She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that’s best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

And on that cheek and o’er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent.”

May Jennifer receive all she would desire, and deserve, after her death, which death we sorely mourn

Nanda Pethiyagoda