Aunty Joyce – a beautiful soul

The following tribute to Joyce Rita Sankar née Joseph was recently submitted for publication. Her funeral Mass was November 17, St Anthony’s Church, Spring Valley, New York. A Mass was subsequently held at the Cascade home of her niece Amina Ghuran who prepared a tribute which was delivered by great nephew Anthony Ghuran. Fr Emmanuel Pierre presided. Sankar was a former Vice-President of the Legion of Mary, St Ann’s RC.

Let your dear mom, grandma, sister, Aunty Joyce be remembered not with tears, but with smiles, for the beauty she has brought into your lives will live forever.

There is very little one can say or do at this time that will bring comfort or solace to you and all the family.  It is only natural that you will feel deep pain and sorrow as Joyce was someone who was close to you from the day you opened your eyes.

You will, and could never forget her, but paradoxical as it might sound, as the years grow, so too, will the memories bring her nearer and dearer to your heart.  You will always remember with fondness all the acts of motherhood and devotion which she displayed, and which will endear her to you as long as you live.

Unfortunately, the people whom we love cannot live forever, but remember that it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Aunty Joyce has finished her work on earth, and will now be enjoying the fruits of her labours, and in these violent times in which we live, it is comforting to know that she died a good and natural death surrounded by family.

There can be no creation without a creator and if God is our Creator, then surely, we must go back to Him, and I have no doubt that Aunty Joyce, is at peace. How fortunate we all are to have known such a beautiful soul.

She came with a mission which she fulfilled with humility, sincerity, honesty and compassion. Through the performance of charitable deeds, she fulfilled society’s needs.

To her children, grandchildren, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, all her in-laws and friends she was a great inspiration for moulding your own generation.  Like a shining star she brightened your lives; a legend whose passing brought many cries. She gave you comfort, happiness and guidance. She taught you the values of family life. She left you with cherished memories and the strength to face adversary, the power to unite and to work for each other.

I am pretty certain dearest Joyce would say: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race.  From now on the Lord, just judge, that He is, will award it to me – and not only to me, but to all who have looked for His appearing with eager longing”. 2 Tim 4:7–8.