A VALE in Her Memory from Another Sister, Estelle Fernando nee Roberts, n.d. **
Our sister Margie is at rest from her labours. She was our big sister. Though small in Stature, she was big in every other sense of the word. When I was a little girl, I admired her because she was so jolly, so practical, so matter of fact. She never failed to call a spade a spade, but all the time she was so good at heart.
As a nursing sister in the Galle Hospital, she was loved by all for her devotion to her duties, her sense of responsibility, and her cheerful demeanour.
In her later years when she retired and lived in Colombo, she was a Florence Nightingale to all her neighbours. She was an enthusiastic rugger fan who never missed a match. Spectators may remember a little old lady who cheered lustily for the C. R. and F. C. That was our sister.
As time went , she was confined to the house and walked only with the help of a walker, but she never grumbled. She took an interest in all that was happening in the little household of sisters, together with Norah, Violet and Sheila. She enjoyed her little tot in the evenings and was cheerful to the last.
I know the choirs of angels have sung her to her rest.
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Marge is on the extreme left, with Norah, myself, Estelle and Sheila alongside …. sharing a happy moment at Estelle & Mallie’s house in Wellawate
** A NOTE From Michael Roberts, 3 April 2026
I came across this old NOTE written by my sister Estelle Fernando (also deceased now) by accident recently. I cried when I read it. Tears well in my eyes even now. That is as it should be. I was extemely fortunate in having a wonderful cohort of elder sisters….Marge and Estelle among them.
When I visited Sheila in 1990 to interview her for my book on the History of Tennis in Sri Lanka, it was in Balapokuna.
I believe it was the home of your sister Dodo Sirimanne where Sheila and some other sisters also lived. The scene was so very reminiscent of this picture in Hampden Lane, where Sheila and her sisters were seated on the settee while I sat opposite to interview her. I was also kindly offered a cup of tea.
Can’t believe it was 36 years ago.
LAM, … This photo was taken at my sister ESTELLE FERNANDO’s place in Hamoden Lane, Wellawatte. I guess her husband MALLIE aka CH had passed away by then.
PS I was tu ruly blessed tohave such close kinsfolk
PS 2 ….WHILE STC and Royal college benefited from the sporting capacities of my nephews viz Tony and Guy Sirimanne (SSTC) and Charith, Jagath and Skanda Fernando of Royal