Seventh Year Remembrance

of

Mrs. Anne Joseph

Associate Pastor
of Emmanuel Christian Fellowship-Ilford,
and former student of
Trinco Methodist Girls' High School
(who was a native of Galle and resided in Colombo, Trinco, Athens(Greece), and Dagenham -UK)

A life of Love, Faith & Service

A TRIBUTE TO MY BELOVED WIFE, ANNE 'KANNU'

Today 29 September 2026, marks seven years since my beloved wife was called to glory and entered into the eternal presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As I remember her today, there are still tears and there is still sorrow. Yet, above all, my heart is filled with deep thanksgiving to God for the precious gift of my wife, for the more than forty years we were blessed to share together, and for the hope we have in Christ.

By God's grace, we were privileged to share more than forty years of marriage. My beloved wife was my companion, my prayer partner and my fellow servant in the work of the Lord.

We shared the joys and challenges of life, raised our family, prayed together and served the Lord together. Through every season, God was faithful to us.

I miss my precious wife deeply. There are many occasions when I wish she could have been with us for longer to see the family, to share in our joys and to continue serving the Lord alongside us.

Yet, even in the midst of that longing, I thank God for the beautiful years He gave us and for the love, memories and faith that she left behind. 

A Legacy Of Faith & Love

God blessed us with three loving sons, three lovely daughters-in-law and six precious grandchildren.

One of my greatest joys is that they are all walking with the Lord. This is a beautiful testimony of God's grace and of the spiritual heritage that my beloved wife helped to establish within our family.

My wife faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ as an Associate Pastor. She loved the Lord deeply and had a special heart for people, especially the younger generation.

She prayed for them, cared for them, encouraged them and faithfully served His Church.

Her life was a testimony of faith, love, prayer and service. I thank God for the lasting legacy she has left in our family, in the Church and in the lives of the many people she touched.

The Scripture says: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
2 Timothy 4:7

These words are especially meaningful to me as I remember the life of faith and service that my wife lived.

I continue to feel the pain of losing someone so deeply loved.

I continue to miss my beloved wife, and there are moments when that sense of loss is especially strong.

Yet the Word of God reminds us that we “do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Our hope is Jesus Christ.

At Calvary, our Lord Jesus cried, “It is finished.” John 19:30

His finished work on the Cross, His death, burial and glorious resurrection have given us the assurance that death and the grave do not have the final word.

Jesus said:
“Because I live, you also will live.” John 14:19

And Paul assures us:

“The dead in Christ will rise... and so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17

Therefore, I remember my beloved wife not without tears, but not without hope.

My hope is in Christ — the hope beyond death and beyond the grave.

Because of Jesus Christ, I do not say “goodbye forever."

 I say:

“Until we meet again in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
OUR HOPE IS IN CHRIST

Over these past seven years, I have experienced the love, prayers and support of so many people, and I am deeply grateful.

I would like to express my sincere and heartfelt thanks to my family, especially my youngest son, Andrew, and his beloved wife, Saraniya; to our church family; and to all our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who have stood with us throughout these seven years.

Thank you for your prayers, love, encouragement, comfort, visits, messages and practical support.

Your kindness has strengthened me and our family and has helped us through many difficult moments. We will always be grateful for the love and care you have shown to us.

Above all, I thank God for my beloved wife—for the more than forty years we were blessed to share, for our family, for her ministry, for her love for the Lord and for the lasting legacy of faith she has left behind.

Forever In My Heart

My beloved wife,

you will always have a very special place in my heart.

I continue to love you, remember you and thank God for you.

Seven years have passed since you were called to glory, but the love we shared, the memories we made and the faith we shared in Christ remain precious to me and to our family.

I am thankful that our story did not end at the grave. Because Jesus lives, there is hope beyond death. Because He conquered the grave,

I look forward to the day when we will meet again in His glorious presence.

Until that day, I will continue to hold you in my heart and give thanks to God for the life we shared.

And so, my beloved wife, I do not say goodbye.

I say, "Until we meet again in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ."

With love,
Athaan

"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more
death or mourning or crying or pain."
Revelation 21:4