Mary Matilda Bastiampillai

Mrs. Mary Matilda Rajes Bastiampillai (nee Rayappu) - wife of the late Pius Bastiampillai, loving mother of Gordan, Shiromi and the late Caroline, doting mother-in-law of Vijayakumar and the adoring grandmother of Ethan and Reya - passed away peacefully on the evening of October 18, 2023, in Mississauga, Canada.

 

She was the fourth daughter of late Mr. Soosaipillai and Josephine Rayappu and a much-loved sister of Dr. Thresa Joseph (UK), the late Indra Pedropillai, the late Anton Rayappu, Dr. Marina Benedict (UK), Bonny Rayappu (Australia), Jacinta Regis (UK), Gerard Rayappu (UK), Niranjan Rayappu (USA) and Nimsy Simon. She was also the generous and affectionate aunt of many nieces and nephews around the globe. Perhaps her first grandchildren by proxy Sebastian and Eliza Simon.

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Rajes immigrated to Canada in 1989, as a single mother of three children following the untimely death of her dear husband. Although a former stay-at-home mother in Sri-Lanka, she lost no time in finding a satisfactory and fulfilling employment to help support her young children, where she made many friends. She retired in 2005 before moving on to her more fulfilling career as full-time grandmother. Rajes was a great cook and according to many the greatest; her mutton curry, kool, muscat halwa and rich cake are truly famous. 

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Rajes was truly the centre of this large Rayappu and Bastiampillai clan, and as her name suggests she was the “Goddess” around whom the family evolved. Despite many setbacks in her life, including the tragic death of her teenaged daughter, she picked up the pieces and moved on with life, carrying her loss and grief deep in her heart and not on her sleeve. She made friends easily, had a diverse set of friends in Canada, from work, church, YMCA, etc.   

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Rajes will always be remembered for her acts of kindness to many. In lieu of flowers, we invite you to donate to the Palmera organization, an Australian based charity operating in Sri-Lanka, that works with those in dire need to economic self sufficiency and dignity. Please see the Donation Page to donate in her honour. 

 

Rajes will be missed by her children, grandchildren, siblings, in-laws, nieces, and nephews and so many more. A true beacon who touched all our lives has gone from this world. We bid you goodbye, may your beautiful soul rest in peace.