Tamara Mendis and her daughter, Eranthie, 25,
were traveling along the Indian Ocean in Sri Lanka to a family
celebration in December. That trip turned to tragedy when the deadly
earthquake and tsunami struck Sri Lanka and 11 other countries Dec. 26.
A 30-foot wave toppled their train, which was carrying hundreds of
passengers.
Interviewed by ABC News,
Eranthie recalled: "Out the window you could see scenes of houses
breaking and people already in the water." A spring graduate of St.
Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., she said she tried to save her mother,
but the force was too great.
Tamara Mendis, 55, was one of
thousands who perished in the disaster. Her husband, Eardley Mendis, is
pastor of Purna Jiwan South Asian Ministry, part of Norwood Park
Lutheran Church on Chicago's Northwest Side. He flew to Sri Lanka for
the Dec. 30 funeral. A memorial service was held that day in Chicago.
Friends
described Tamara Mendis as gentle, loving and intelligent. She was a
passionate gardener and frequently cooked much-loved Sri Lankan meals
for students at the University of Chicago Divinity School.
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