Savitri (Singh ’58) Rawana [1942 - 2008]
It is with deep sorrow that we learn of the passing of Mrs. Savitri (Singh ’58) Rawana.
Savitri was the wife of Arnold Rawana (class of 54), sister of Ramphal Singh, Pertab and Vijai Singh,Dorothy and Drupattie.
She was the sister-in-law of Reginald Rawana (late husband of Indranie Jagan), Dr. Harold Rawana (husband of Ione Latchmansingh), Dr. Donald Rawana (husband of Joyce Bessember), Dr. Edward Rawana(husband of Jean Chetram), Dr.Sherlock Rawana, Dr. William Rawana, Gladys Rawana Nandlall, Rita Rawana Rambeharry(wife of Walter Rambeharry), Eva Rawana Scott( wife of Dr.Graham Scott), Celina Rawana Nathoo( wife of Julius Nathoo), Maylene Rawana Persaud(wife of Dalchan Persaud) and Mary Rawana Nippak(wife of Tom Nippak), all former graduates of CHS.
VISITATION
Cresmount Funeral Home,
Upper James Chapel, Hamilton
Tuesday October 14th from 4.00 PM -9.00PM
FUNERAL
The Chapel
Cresmount Funeral Home
Wednesday October 15th at 11.00 AM
INTERMENT
White Chapel Memorial Gardens
October 13th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Very sorry to hear of Savitri’s passing away. Our condolences to both Savitri and Arnold’s families. I have known Savitri prior to her marriage to Arnold when she used to live closeby to our rice factory at Hampshire Village. Also, I was a close friend of one of her brothers, Pertab.
Used to meet her at many family functions in the Toronto area and she will be sadly missed.
Syd Latchana
October 14th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Savitri brought an abundance of joy to the Rawana family. She had a delicious and authentic Guyanese sense of humour.
She was another of CHS grads whose life was a model of excellence as she successfully combined the duties of wife, mother, grandmother and professional teacher in Canada.
The Rawana family have lost a stalwart.
October 16th, 2008 at 5:48 am
From the Toronto Sun:
Savitri Ramona (Singh) Rawana:
SAVITRI RAMONA RAWANA (nee SINGH) After a lengthy illness, on Saturday, October 11th, 2008, surrounded by her loving family, Savitri passed away peacefully, at the age of 68.
Beloved wife of Arnold Rawana. Dear mother of Fenella and Donna and will be missed by her loving sons-in-law.
Loving grandmother of Cheyane, Kamren, Alexandra and Marcus.
Dear sister of Pertab, Bejai, Dorothy, Droopatie and loving sister-in-law of Gumptie, Leila, Eva, Maylene, Celene, Rita, Gladys and Mary.
She will also be missed by brothers-in-law Dr. Edward Rawana and Dr. Sherlock Rawana.
Friends will be received at CRESMOUNT Funeral Home, Upper James Chapel, Hamilton, on Tuesday, October 14th, 2008 from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m.
Funeral service for Savitri will be held in the chapel on Wednesday, October 15th, 2008 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at McMaster Medical Centre I.C.U., C.C.A.C., as well as VON, for their love and support.
Online condolences may be made at http://www.mem.com
October 16th, 2008 at 8:20 am
I have returned last night from Hamilton, Canada after attending the funeral of my aunt Savitrie Rawana and spending time with relatives mourning her loss .
The past week was a dedication of steadfast prayers for Savitrie as her health worsened while hospitalized. She took her last breath of life on Saturday night,Oct.11,2008. No more sorrow, no more pain.
I have so many fond memories of Savitrie (Singh) Rawana, CHS grad 1958. I will always remember her unique, distinct and infectious laughter that has become her hallmark trait.
I have also taught at Tain Gov’;t School, Port Mourant,Guyana with both Savitrie and husband Arnold,my uncle. They were also my friends, my mentors and to my appreciation, they were so very protective of me.
Julius could not have said it any better when he mentioned the symbiotic relationship of the Rawana family. Thank you Jules for the great testimony you gave of Savitrie’s life and for representing the Rawana family with such strenght and courage , as we all gathered to bid her farewell to eternal rest on Wednesday,October 15,2008 at the Presbyterian Church in Hamilton,Canada.
To uncle Arnold, cousins Fenella and Donna, our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you; together with my other fourteen siblings and our families.
I would like to have posted Julius Nathoo’s reflections, and the eulogy by Pertab Singh.
Beauty (Rawana)Ramotar
October 16th, 2008 at 9:25 am
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Reflections on the life of Savitri (Singh)Ramona Rawana
by Julius Nathoo
Delivered on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at Savitri’s funeral service in Hamilton, Ontario.
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More than 46 years ago in a tiny church in Guyana, called the Muktibowan Presbyterian Church , Arnold Rawana and Savitri Singh were married.
On that same day and in that same church and before the same witnessess Julius Nathoo and Celina Rawana also took marriage vows.
Both couples made a solemn covenant with one another and with Almighty God to love and cherish one another in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health till death parted them.
Arnold and Savitri have fulfilled their covenant with God, with man and with one another. Julius and Celina walk in their noble and exemplary footsteps.
On the previous day, August 12, 1962, another wedding took place. Savitri’s brother, Pertab, got married to Gumpte. Pertab apologized to me last night ( after 46 years) for not attending my wedding.
His excuse was that his wife did not allow him! A likely story!
And so Pratap, named after the warrior prince of Indian mythology married Gumpte, the goddess of the river Ganga, and they too walk in the exemplary footsteps of Arnold and Savitri.
The Rawanas have asked me to say a few words on their behalf.
I reminded them that I was not a Rawana but I have attended so many Rawana functions and made so many speeches and listened to so many Rawana “orders” at home that I was prepared to change my name. So they sent their Attorney, Eva Rawana Scott, armed with the necessary legal documents to effect a name change. Whereupon, I told them that that would not be necessary;
I was a Rawana at heart. I will speak for them.
The Rawanas are a family of extraordinary energy and drive. Those of us who married into that family have had to be part of that drive and it has not been easy. As Cynthia, William’s wife, said to me once: brother Jules, the Rawanas can sleep on train tracks!
Indeed, they have a most remarkable ability to recharge their batteries by being in one another’s company. It is the most outstanding example of symbiosis I have ever seen.
Peter and Sita Rawana produced fourteen children: Reggie ,Gladys, Harold, Donald , Arnold, Rita, Eva , William, Celina, Roderick, Maylene, Mary, Edward and Sherlock.
Of those fourteen no less than five became doctors, two became lawyers and five became professional teachers in Canada.
Savitri, a professional teacher herself, brought into the the Rawana family an authentic and delicious sense of humour. She regaled us time and again with hilarious stories from her childhood and professional life which will never be forgotten. The entire Rawana family owe her and her family a great debt of gratitude. Anyone who has met Savitri’s siblings cannot but be impressed by their genuineness, their sincerity, their spontaneity and their authenticity. They have immeasurably enriched the Rawana family.
When I speak of the Rawana family I include all their children, their spouses and their grandchildren. And especially Savitri’s two lovely daughters, Donna and Fenella who is is a spitting image of Eva Rawana in her youth.
The Rawana gene is very strong. No name change can give me those genes.
I also include all their cousins both on their father’s side and on their mother’s side.They are all here today.
Beauty Rawana Ramotar, who also taught with Savitri and Arnold at Tain government school, has come all the way from Florida. Relatives and friends have come from all over the world.
The family wish to thank all of you for being here today to support them and to celebrate the life of their beloved sister.
I know I speak for all of us here present and even for those not present when I pray: “Father, in Thy gracious keeping , Leave we now ,our sister sleeping.”
October 17th, 2008 at 2:36 pm
Just for the record lest there appears to be any inconsistency between the relatives named in the “Toronto Sun” and my “Reflections.”
Four of Savitri’s brothers-in-law are deceased: Dr Harold Rawana, Dr. Donald Rawana, Dr William Rawana and Reginald Rawana, Barrister-at-Law.
October 20th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Savitri Rawana was
A Former CHS graduate 1954—1958
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Eulogy of Savitri Ramona(Singh) Rawana passed away on
October 11,2008
By Pertab Singh
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Dear family, friends and well wishers,
Good morning and thank you for coming here today to support our family in our time of bereavement.
My name is Pertab Singh and I am a brother of the deceased, Savitri Ramona( Singh) Rawana.
I am proud to be able to stand before you today to deliver the eulogy of my beloved sister, a woman who made an impact on all of our lives with her grace, elegance, intelligence, loyalty, courage, dedication and kindness.
Savitri was the beloved wife of Arnold Rawana, mother of two daughters,Fenella and Donna, grandmother of Shyanne,Cameron,Ally and Marcus. They were the light of her life.as her face would glow with happiness whenever she speaks about them.
Savitri was the sixth child out of eight children born to Jagmohan and Rajdai Singh of Albion Sugar Estate, Guyana..
Savitri came from a humble and loving beginning, which led her to become very studious in preparation for her future life and career.
Savitri completed her primary education at Albion Canadian Mission School and in 1954 attended Corentyne High School where she acquired her General Certificate of Education in 1958. She then started her teaching career at Tain Government School. Savitri was a risk taker and had an adventurous nature and had grasped at the opportunity to emigrate to Canada. After migrating to Canada ,she went on to achieve her teacher’s qualifications and then her Masters Degree in Education.
Savitri had to overcome many obstacles in her early days in Canada ,but with her inner strength and perseverance she was able to succeed.
Continuing her education was very important to Savitri. She always carried a book in her hand. She loved the written word.
When, Savitri had departed from Guyana it was her desire to ensure that she would bring the family together.
Savitri and Arnold ensured that family members in Guyana were brought to Canada.
Savitri loved being around the family. She was an integral part of all the family functions and she was looked upon as the head of the family who lived in Canada . At family functions one could hear her laughter echoing throughout the house. She made everyone feel happy and welcome in her home.
Savitri has taught us to live life to its fullest, to have no regrets in our own lives. She taught us to persevere in order to succeed.
Savitri wanted us to recognize our potential and also see the potential in others. She taught us to appreciate and not to discriminate against others. She stated that we all can learn from each other.
Savitri wanted us to utilize any opportunities available to us, not to run away from our fears but to face them. She taught us to be confident in our abilities in order to overcome difficult situations.
She was a strong believer that “Knowledge is Power” and that it should not be guarded jealously but shared amongst humanity. Savitri and Arnold together encompassed this belief. Together they made it their life’s work to reach out to others as educators. Theirs was a journey of understanding and unconditional love. . .
Savitri personified traditional charm and beauty, with contemporary thinking.
This is what made Savitri a respected educator and visionary. She was very much a humanitarian, continuously, seeking out the good in people,one of the many facets by which we would remember Savitri.
Each of us can look back upon someone who made a great difference in our lives, often a teacher whose wisdom or simple acts of caring made an impression upon us other than the joy of knowing that, by their hand, another’s life had been made better. This is how Savitri lived her life. She sought no recognition for her good and charitable deeds.
When a person passes on, their gravestone has their date of birth and the date that they pass on. In the middle there is a dash. That dash does not tell the story of how that person has lived their life. However, that dash only signifies the time that the person is with us. It does not tell us about the many miracles that the person has performed in their lifetime. It does not tell us of the obstacles that they had to overcome.
Savitri made many miracles happen every day of her life and had overcome many obstacles.
Savitri lived her life by giving love, encouragement, loyalty, dedication and hope to everyone around her.
Savitri and I were very close as we shared a lot of experiences and many unforgettable moments together.
One memorable incident was when my mother asked me to chaperone Savitri and Arnold. Savitri paid me a shilling to go to the movies. This enabled Savitri and Arnold to be left alone.
Myself, and Savitri also got married at the same time.
Savitri’s strength and courage from the beginning of her birth until the end of her life will always be remembered.
Savitri would not want us to mourn our loss. But to celebrate her life. She would want us to remember the smiles and the laughter.
She would want us to know that she is with loved ones whom have passed on before her; our dearest mother, brothers, sisters and ancestors.
She would want us to know that she is no longer in pain.
She would want us to know that she is taking care of us and will be watching over us.
Savitri would want us to remember the beauty that was her life, as in the poem by Eva Rose York:
“I Shall Not Pass This Way Again ——–remembering a lessened pain-
would she could pass this way again.”
I would like to thank everyone for coming to my sister Savitri’s funeral here in Hamilton, Canada.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE MY BROTHER-IN-LAW ARNOLD AND MY TWO NIECES FENELLA AND DONNA KNOW THAT WE WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR THEM.
Pertab Singh
October 16th, 2009 at 11:40 am
I just read Pertab mamoo’s eulogy for my aunt Savitri (I am her sister Drupati’s daughter from Rose Hall Town. His speech is eloquent and he described Aunt Savitri as she was. I have so many memories of her and uncle Arnold. I remember also when she and Pertab got married one day apart. My mom said we have to choose one wedding to go to and I chose Aunt Savitri. Sorry Pertab mamoo. Savitri was Ramphal Singh’s sister. He taught at Albion school. Also, they are nine siblings and not eight. Five are deceased. I miss her and her special laughter. Thanks for allowing me to share this with you.