My mother, Bibi Rabiah Soormally (born Chaumoo), widow of Idrice Soormally, passed away peacefully on 11 January 2018 at 7.38 pm at her residence Flat 1, The Sovereigns, Queens Road, Maidstone, Kent, UK. My Mum was born on 27 February 1922 in Médine, Mauritius, to Hoosenny Chaumoo and Beebeehawa Ruhomally. She was 95 years old at the time of death. My mum was buried on 12 January 2018, around 4.00 pm, at the Gardens of Peace Cemetery, in Hainault, Essex, UK.

My mum has been well looked after over many years by my younger sister, Nazma Jonan Soormally, who is a Nurse and a former Police Constable with the Kent Constabulary, UK.

My mum was exceptional in many ways. She had 11 children and was dedicated to them and to my father, Idrice Soormally, proprietor of a sugarcane plantation and a bakery (retired), who passed away on 18 April 2006 at 87, Upper Rainham Road, Hornchurch, Essex, UK. We were all from Curepipe.

Mum was also very popular with all her neighbours and friends of her children who still remember her with great love and affection. The following are some of the messages of sympathy received, with thanks, from various relatives and people who knew my mum.

Michael Clarke of Colchester, Essex, UK: «My condolences to all, to a hard-working mother and grandmother Nanima. Hope all goes well for you today.»

Serge Bundhun of Tottenham, London, UK: «I am very sorry to hear about your mum. My deepest sympathy to all the family...»

Rakesh Burumdoyal (Ashley) of Curepipe, Mauritius: «My deepest sympathy to you and the family... My mother and the family convey their sincere condolences to you and the whole family. She feels sorry Rafic ...»

Shyam Roy of Bel-Air-Rivière-Sèche, Mauritius: «Sorry to hear Rafic. My most sincere sympathies to you and family. Take care.»

Lekraj Burton of Floréal, Mauritius: «Very sorry. Sincere condolences to the family.»

Kirty Mooneeram of Bougainville Street, Curepipe, Mauritius: «Dear Rafic, sad to hear of your mum's demise. Please accept my condolences and extend my sympathies to the rest of the family.»

Krishna and Davi Kotiah of Beau-Bassin, Mauritius: «So sad to hear about this. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.»

Mohun and Sanutha Mohabeer of Great Yarmouth, UK: «So sorry to hear the sad news. Our condolences to you and family.»

Gilbert Hitilambeau of Curepipe, Mauritius: «My condolences to you and the whole family. She had had a great life and died at a great age.» 

Gilbert grew up with in the same neighbourhood and loved my mum to bits.

Soobash Ramdeenee of Vacoas, Mauritius: «My sincere condolences to you and family. Much regrets.»

Farook Warsallee of Nottingham, UK: «So sorry to hear the sad news, cousin. I wish I could be there with the family to pay my last respect.»

Azam and Moradee Mooraby (born Soormally) of Vacoas, Mauritius: «May Allah (God) give her Jannatul Firdost (Paradise).»

Rossun Ramdowar (born Maharaullee): «Be brave Tiatia [Uncle]. We are with you.»

Fazila Earally of Plaine Magnien, Mauritius: «May Allah give her Jannatul Firdost.»

Kumar and Farida Doobey of Colchester, Essex, UK: «We are very sorry to hear the sad news. May she rest in peace.»

Afsana Wahab (born Firdousi) of Dacca, Bangladesh: «Inlal ...I'm so sorry to hear about Ma passing away. I have many fond memories of her and with her. She will always be in my prayers.»

Krishna Govinden (Raju) of Sutton, Surrey, UK: «So sorry to hear about the sad news. Mum was such a nice person.» Raju went on to add on my Facebook page: «I have known Mr & Mrs Idrice Soormally since I was a kid. They were fantastic people, kind, humble and extremely generous to the needy. The bond they shared with the locals in Theodore Sauzier Street, Curepipe Road, was very intimate and deep. Rafic, we’ve had some really good times together. Although I cannot remember most of these memories, I know they were all great because your brothers, sisters and yourself were great company. Our minds were like wonderlands. We were fearless together, nothing and no one had stopped us from doing anything. From climbing trees, playing hide & seek, flying kites, football and to playing marbles, I cannot thank you anymore.»

Several of my friends who did not have the opportunity to meet my mum also sent their condolences. Big thank you to them also: 

Eileen Lo of Curepipe, Mauritius: «Deepest sympathy to you and your family.»

Rekha Gajjar of Harrow, London, UK: «Sorry to hear the sad news. Condolences to the family. May her soul rest in peace.»

Guiseppe Spampinato of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK: «My most profound condolences for you and family. I have just been told.»

Michelle Kassuja of Hampstead, London, UK: «I am very sorry for your loss Rafic. You are very strong. I hope you are well.»

Manou Bheenick of Moka, Mauritius: «Saddened by your loss. My deepest condolences to you, Rafic Bhai, and to the family. I share your grief.»

Mala Samputh of Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius: «Our sympathy to you all.»

Maryline Jeanne (born Suggum) of Grand Bay, Mauritius: «Our sincere condolences to you & your family. May she rest in peace. Bon courage!»

Kresh Ramanah of Chingford, London, UK: «So sorry to hear of your loss. Please accept my deepest sympathy.»

Brian Swift of Hertfordshire, UK: «Rafic, so sorry to hear the sad news about your mum. You have a good soul and she helped make you into the good man you are today. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.»

I also received several calls from relatives and friends to express their condolences, sadness and support during such difficult times. I wish to thank them all. Amongst them are :

1. Nasreen Sookhy (born Beekawoo) of Beau-Bassin, Mauritius. Nasreen is the daughter of my late eldest sister Bibi Farida Soormally who was married to Adam Beekawoo of Beau-Champ.
2. Suresh Goburdhun of Ealing, London. Suresh is from Beau-Champ, Mauritius, and he grew up with Adam Beekawoo and he knew Bibi Farida Soormally and their children.
3. Isoop Sawdoo, Farook Sawdoo, Sahelah Durgauhee (born Sawdoo), Saida Soobadar (born Sawdoo), all cousins of mine (my mum and their mum were cousins). They are also my in-laws as I married their biological sister, Sen Seetulsingh-Soormally (born Hassenbee Fatmah Sawdoo), adopted daughter of the late Ramduthlall Seetulsingh of Curepipe after Sen's mum died when Sen was just one month old.
4. Alim and Nasreen Goolamhossen of Pailles, Mauritius. Alim is the son of the daughter of my Nani (the sister of my mum's mother). Whenever my sister Nazma Jonan took my mum to Mauritius, they stayed at Alim's and Nasreen's house in Pailles. They love my mum so much. They too are very distraught with her demise.
5. Gori Chaumoo of Highlands, Mauritius, who was married to my mum's late younger brother, Hassam Chaumoo.
6. Swalehah Neff (born Dookhith) of Tampa, Florida, United States, and Fazila Maghoo (born Dookhith) of Brentwood, Essex, UK.. Swalehah and Fazila are my cousins, daughters of my father's sister, Bibi Fatmah Dookhith (born Soormally).

Several Facebook messages of sympathy also received from Nadjet Raoud of Algeria, Rechad Golamaully, Meimouna Hafez-Amir Kathrada, Shyama Kowlessur, Subash Gobine, Bilkiss Jawnally, Jose Zaza, Tulsi Bhanderi, Zak And Shahin Zahir, Mohamad Ehsan Ramjan. Thank you all.

Rafic Soormally
London.