An Appreciation
Gertie Chandrasoma

Mrs. Gertie Chandrasoma, or better known to us younger ones then as Gertie Akka, was a lady of great stature, measured by all standards. She was lovable, generous and philanthropic. Among those who knew her, she figured indeed as a clan divinity. From her young days, to her friends and relations, knowing her was being in great partnership. In her courage and fortitude, few could have rivalled her. Those who worked for her. for shorter or longer periods of time, found in her a great patron, an assuring source of solace. This was evident even as she lay mute in an unostentatious decked but dignified coffin, with two or more generations of mourners standing speechless beside her, lamenting the departure of a great benefactress.

The venerable monks who gathered at her funeral spoke of the virtues of her religiousness from diverse angles. Her loyalty and devotion to her religion as a Buddhist was described as being traceable to her mother, the late Mrs. Clara Fonseka of Mount Lavinia, a great Buddhist lady in her own right.

Gertie Chandrasoma held in her life the Buddha, Dhamma and the Sangha prestigiously high and lived a life of high moral virtue. She closely associated the Vajiraramaya of Bambalapitiya, together with its distinguished venerables of the stature of the late Palane Vajiragnana Maha Nayaka Thera and the internationally renowned Narada Maha Thera. She generously provided for their health care and day to day needs. In her later years, she became a great supporter of the Mettaramaya, also of Bambalapitiya.

She is survived by Mr. Chandrasoma, now a retired Civil Servant, one time Port Commissioner and Principal Collector of Customs and three sons.

by Bhikkhu Dhammavihari