Obituary for Rita Fernando
Hancock
Rita Fernando, age 91, died November 13, 2023, after suffering several years from dementia. Born November 10, 1932, in Sri Lanka to Jayawickremege Simon Fernando (an obstetrician) and Margaret Helen Vaidyakularatna, she emigrated to the United States after completing high school in Sri Lanka. There, she joined several expatriated family members and obtained a job with the UN, where she stayed until her retirement in 1992. At the UN, she worked for the Executive Office and, later, the Postal Division.
After retiring from the UN, Rita immersed herself in her obsession: tennis. Rita was an accomplished tennis player and loved the sport. She played daily. Tennis was how Rita first connected with her lifelong friend and companion, Dr. Barbara Kent; they met at tennis competitions while both were living in New York.
Rita’s path to Maine and her cherished home in Hancock Point began as a result of her relationship with Barbara. Upon her retirement, Rita added a wing to Barbara’s house where she summered through 2003, returning to Florida for the winter months so that she could play tennis year-round in Florida and Maine. Barbara and Rita’s home abutted the tennis courts in Hancock Point. They ‘lived’ on the HPVIS tennis courts which Rita fiercely guarded and protected, heading the HPVIS Tennis committee for many years. Slightly built and just over 5 feet tall, Rita was fearless, regularly taking on anyone who didn’t abide by the tennis court rules.
When the indoor tennis center was built in Ellsworth, Rita ended her commute between Florida and Maine, opting to live year-round in Hancock because she was able to play tennis year-round. For the next decade, Rita and Barbara spent their time playing tennis, traveling around the world and being active in social and charitable activities throughout Hancock and down east Maine.
When Barbara died in 2013, Rita became a beloved fixture in the home of Susan Scherbel and Dr. Thomas E. Flynn, her closest neighbors on Hancock Point.
As Rita’s knee injuries worsened in 2018-2019, Rita had to give up tennis and started spending her winters in Sedona, AZ. Despite increasingly failing health, Rita still managed to hike and go sightseeing/birdwatching. When her health deteriorated sharply in 2020, Rita moved to the memory care facility at Birch Bay, where she was lovingly cared for until her recent death.
In addition to tennis, Rita was passionate about her cairn terriers. Her favorite dog was Tinker; her last two dogs were Toto and Ruddy, who predeceased Rita.
Although Rita had no formal education beyond high school, Rita was extremely intelligent, well-read, and intellectually curious. She had strong opinions and regularly carried on lively exchanges with Barbara, Susan, Tom, the Flynn children and her friends about politics, the arts, history -- just about anything. Rita was honest and direct. She was a fiercely loyal friend. She appreciated good wine, exotic foods and was a renowned Sri Lankan cook--who’d frequently delight her friends with a “curry.”
Rita is survived by several nephews and nieces: Lalini Gunewardena, Anthony Fernando, Priyanthi Benefict, Rohan Fernando, Anne Fernando, Andrew Jayawickreme, Mary Conrad and Christopher Fernando.
There will be a private memorial service for her friends and family in the summer of 2024.
Donations should be made to Friends in Action, Hancock Humane Society and Acadia Community Tennis (Rita was a board member).
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com
Rita Fernando, age 91, died November 13, 2023, after suffering several years from dementia. Born November 10, 1932, in Sri Lanka to Jayawickremege Simon Fernando (an obstetrician) and Margaret Helen Vaidyakularatna, she emigrated to the United States after completing high school in Sri Lanka. There, she joined several expatriated family members and obtained a job with the UN, where she stayed until her retirement in 1992. At the UN, she worked for the Executive Office and, later, the Postal Division.
After retiring from the UN, Rita immersed herself in her obsession: tennis. Rita was an accomplished tennis player and loved the sport. She played daily. Tennis was how Rita first connected with her lifelong friend and companion, Dr. Barbara Kent; they met at tennis competitions while both were living in New York.
Rita’s path to Maine and her cherished home in Hancock Point began as a result of her relationship with Barbara. Upon her retirement, Rita added a wing to Barbara’s house where she summered through 2003, returning to Florida for the winter months so that she could play tennis year-round in Florida and Maine. Barbara and Rita’s home abutted the tennis courts in Hancock Point. They ‘lived’ on the HPVIS tennis courts which Rita fiercely guarded and protected, heading the HPVIS Tennis committee for many years. Slightly built and just over 5 feet tall, Rita was fearless, regularly taking on anyone who didn’t abide by the tennis court rules.
When the indoor tennis center was built in Ellsworth, Rita ended her commute between Florida and Maine, opting to live year-round in Hancock because she was able to play tennis year-round. For the next decade, Rita and Barbara spent their time playing tennis, traveling around the world and being active in social and charitable activities throughout Hancock and down east Maine.
When Barbara died in 2013, Rita became a beloved fixture in the home of Susan Scherbel and Dr. Thomas E. Flynn, her closest neighbors on Hancock Point.
As Rita’s knee injuries worsened in 2018-2019, Rita had to give up tennis and started spending her winters in Sedona, AZ. Despite increasingly failing health, Rita still managed to hike and go sightseeing/birdwatching. When her health deteriorated sharply in 2020, Rita moved to the memory care facility at Birch Bay, where she was lovingly cared for until her recent death.
In addition to tennis, Rita was passionate about her cairn terriers. Her favorite dog was Tinker; her last two dogs were Toto and Ruddy, who predeceased Rita.
Although Rita had no formal education beyond high school, Rita was extremely intelligent, well-read, and intellectually curious. She had strong opinions and regularly carried on lively exchanges with Barbara, Susan, Tom, the Flynn children and her friends about politics, the arts, history -- just about anything. Rita was honest and direct. She was a fiercely loyal friend. She appreciated good wine, exotic foods and was a renowned Sri Lankan cook--who’d frequently delight her friends with a “curry.”
Rita is survived by several nephews and nieces: Lalini Gunewardena, Anthony Fernando, Priyanthi Benefict, Rohan Fernando, Anne Fernando, Andrew Jayawickreme, Mary Conrad and Christopher Fernando.
There will be a private memorial service for her friends and family in the summer of 2024.
Donations should be made to Friends in Action, Hancock Humane Society and Acadia Community Tennis (Rita was a board member).
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com