Karachi Darul Sukun incharge Sister Ruth dies of Covid-19

Incharge at the Darul Sukun organisation in Karachi Sister Ruth Lewis passed away from coronavirus at the Aga Khan University Hospital Monday night, she was 77, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

She was hospitalized since July 9. It has been reported that 21 children at Darul Sukun had been infected with Covid-19 but Sister Ruth continued to serve them. She tested COVID-19 positive on July 8 and was taken to the hospital a day later, where she was placed on a ventilator.

https://www.facebook.com/darulsukun/photos/a.377792192277955/3377284015662076/?type=3

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has expressed his grief on the demise of Sister Ruth Lewis.

* وزیراعلیٰ سندھ سید مراد علی شاہ کا سسٹر رتھ لیوس کے انتقال پر گہرے دکھ کا اظہار

* سسٹر رتھ لیوس کئی برسوں سے دارالسکون چلا رہی تھیں، وزیراعلیٰ سید مراد علی شاہ

* سسٹر رتھ لیوس کی خدمات خصوصی بچوں کی تربیت اور پرورش کرنے میں ناقابل فراموش ہیں، سید مراد علی شاہ

— Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) July 21, 2020

In a statement posted on Darul Sukun's Facebook page, the organisation's administration expressed deep regret and grief over her passing.

She has worked for and loved the special children of Darul Sukun from the day it was founded 51 years ago. “Darul Sukun family is feeling castaway by losing the successor of Sr Gertrude Lemmons; our very own, Rev Sr Ruth Lewis,” the statement reads.

On 17 February 1969, Sister Ruth Lewis came along with Sr Gertrude Lemmens and Sr Margaret D’Costa, one of the first to join the staff of Darul Sukun, home for around 150 mentally and physically disabled people, mostly children and teenagers, founded by the sisters of the Franciscan Missionaries of Christ the King. Since then there was no turning back. She took care of such children all her life.

“The children whom their own families abandoned, children who were called monsters because of deformities and chronic disability, children whose single sight could traumatize a layman, children to whom people visited to cherish their fully functional body and brain; But Sr Ruth became their mother. They were not objects of misery and charity to but her own children. She work tirelessly to make their personality. In such a world where people hire maids and nannies to clean the mess of their own children she wiped their bums and noses with bare hands,” Darul Sukun said in a Facebook post.

“It is with deep sadness that we Darul Sukun officially share the news of the passing away of our beloved Rev Sister Ruth of Darul Sukun. May Almighty God bless her soul with everlasting peace, Amen.”

“All our children, nuns and staff are heartbroken, as we have lost a huge part of us. Please pray for the children to whom she has been a mother, for the nuns for whom she was a sister and a true inspiration and for all the staff who love her and will each day try to walk in her footsteps,” the organization said.

Separately, Aseefa Bhutto Zardari, daughter of late Benazir Bhutto, in a Facebook post paid tribute to the departed soul. She said, “A tragic and devastating loss for Darul Sukun and the people of Karachi. Sister Ruth Lewis selflessly dedicated her entire life to those in need. Her years of devotion to the children of Darul Sukun will always be remembered. Pakistan has lost a great asset. Rest in peace Sister Ruth.”

She also shared pictures of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto with Sister Ruth Lewis.

https://www.facebook.com/1520949268140409/posts/2771833443051979/?sfnsn=scwspwa&extid=213axzBLfqzYlCkv