It’s quite impossible to fully capture Aunt April’s personality in just a few words. But I shall try, as April had little patience for rambling stories, nor did she encourage compliments.
Aunty April was indeed a unique character, who was special to us all! Indeed she had a massive impact on my life in many ways!
What I shall remember most are her humour, her positivity and her powerful prayers.
As a child, I believe I had a second mother thanks to her. After dad passed away, Aunty April took me under her wing, and would always invite me to visit her friends, who were quite a wild and loud bunch of women.
As a chubby child with social anxiety, I would usually hide behind curtains when guests visited. So, Aunt April helped me to discover my voice by encouraging me to perform characters or stage puppet shows for her friends. I gradually found myself enjoying the limelight.
Indeed, Aunty April always loved singing, telling stories and playing characters. She loved dressing up as Santa Claus with her loving sister – my mom, Carol. She also loved entertaining her guests at Schofield Place. I’m sure we shall all remember those meticulously planned parties and those sumptuous feasts!
When I made a career of theatre, Aunty April would always support me by sending me cards, gifts, food and prayers. She would also get on the phone to demand that all her friends attend my shows, whether they wanted to or not. She was always there to cheer my achievements and to support me in my disappointments.
And yet, Aunty April did not have an easy life. God often tested her faith, but she never gave up. I was with her during many of those recent struggles. And I know that her body may have battled challenges, but her mind was always strong and positive, as she single-handedly managed her life and her beautiful home.
I’m very glad that on the morning before she passed, she was visited by Fr. Andrew, who prayed with us. My mother, Aunt April’s close friend Yoges and I were with her and her live-in nurse that day.
I’m very sure that God was with her as well. She was content and happy, and had no emotional or physical pain before her final sleep.
I’m glad that I was able to spend more time with her in those last two months before God decided it was time for her soul to find wings and fly to him.
Free from the shackles of her earthly body, she is now watching us and smiling, laughing even, as we celebrate her life.
We can only hope to emulate her generosity, her unshakeable faith and her positivity, while the echoes of her infectious laughter linger with us always.
Thank you, Aunty April, for raising me up, from the backward, awkward child that I once was, to reach for my dreams, to stand on my own feet and to walk through life as the person I now am.
May God bless your spirit always!
Your nephew,
Jehan Aloysius
