South businessman buries wife

“GOODBYE my darling, I will always love you.”

With these parting words prominent south businessman Lynne Sumadh bade farewell to his wife, Sheila Theresa, as her coffin was lowered into a grave at Roodal Cemetery, San Fernando yesterday.

Sheila Theresa, 73, was buried following a funeral service at a chapel at Clarke and Battoo Funeral home, Royal Road, San Fernando. She died on June 17, after being warded for more than a week at Victoria Nursing Home, San Fernando.

A pathologist’s report from the Forensic Sciences Centre, St James, concluded she died from multiple organ failure as a result of suspected ingestion of a toxic substance.

Lynne Sumadh is co-owner of the affluent residential neighbourhood Sumadh Gardens in San Fernando. Sheila Theresa was the mother of three children - Dennis, Debbie and Carolyn.

Only close relatives and friends attended the private service at the chapel officiated by Father Benedict Peters.

At the cemetery, Lynne Sumadh laid a single red rose on the wooden coffin. Angela Rampersad, described by relatives as a close friend and confidante of the deceased, wept incessantly and had to be consoled.

Also paying their last respects at the graveside were San Fernando West MP Dianne Seukeran; chairman of the Penal/ Debe Corporation Dr Allen Sammy, and Carnival queen Wendy Kallicharan.