Families remember loved ones killed in tsunami

December 26, 2005 (WLS) -- Two local families are remembering their loved ones killed in the tsunami one year ago Monday. Ben Abels (pictured) was vacationing in Thailand. Tamara Mendis was traveling in Sri Lanka with her daughter, who survived.

Evanston family remembers loved one

An Evanston family is remembering a loved one killed in the tsunami while vacationing in Thailand last year. Ben Abels, 33, loved to travel, according to his family.

"He was such an important part of our everyday lives and we miss him," said David Abels, Ben's brother. After the tsunami, David and a family friend went to Thailand.

"There was a point. We thought a family member should be there doing our best overseeing everything and doing our best to locate him," said David.

They hired a private investigator and spent two weeks looking for his brother. They went from town to town following rumors and leads desperate to find Ben.

"There was a lot to do. It was pretty overwhelming. I did the best I could," said David.

Weeks later the U.S. State Department informed the family that Ben's body had been identified.

"We knew what had happened but we just wanted to recover him home and have someplace to go see him in Chicago," said David.

The family started a fund in Ben's honor. The fund was set up to help those who survived the tsunami, but the family wants to continue to help those who are faced with disaster.

"Help is still needed. The living conditions are still rough over there in Thailand and some of the other countries," said David. "As the need for tsunami relief lessens. We're going to transfer the fund to a general disaster relief fund."

Abels' parents are going to Thailand in February to review projects underway with money from Ben Abels Fund.

Hyde Park remembers loved one, raises money for Sri Lanka children's home

The family of a Hyde Park woman killed in the tsunami disaster is concerned about the recovery and relief effort for the thousands of survivors. Tamara Mendis was in Sri Lanka when the tsunami struck.

"I can not keep up with her green thumb...not just in the house. She had two community gardens ...meet a lot of people. Everybody's missing her this time," said Rev. Eardley Mendis, Tamara Mendis' husband.

Mendis lived in Hyde Park with her husband and daughter. She was known not only for her gardening, but also for her cooking. Mendis was trying to open her own restaurant.

"It's still difficult to realize her absence in the home practically this hole I have been living with grief and sadness as my companion," said Rev. Mendis.

Mendis' daughter, Eranthie, was on a trip with her mom visiting relatives in Sri Lanka when their train was hit by waves from the tsunami.

"When we were in the train and having the water come in and seeing chairs and tables go by...that's just houses which means there's bodies and people," said Eranthie.

Eranthie was pulled from the train, but her mother could not be rescued.

Eranthie went back to sri lanka last summer to grieve with her rest of her mother's family. She saw what has been done and what has yet to be done in her homeland.

"The outpouring and generosity was there...but the actually logistics of rebuilding has been slow," said Eranthie.

Rev. Mendis and his daughter are hopeful this anniversary will encourage more help for tsunami victims.

"It's a massive commitment to help the poor and needy...especially times like this....it is important to share what ever we have," said Rev. Mendis.

Rev. Mendis and his oldest son will go to Sri Lanka next month. There will be a memorial service for Tamara and the money raised by friends and church members will be donated to expand a children's home.

Tsunami Relief Fund in Honor of Ben Abels
2110 Central Street
Evanston, Illinois 60201

In memory of Tamara Mendis
(make checks payable to the Bishop of Colombo):
Rev. Fr. Daryl James
Messiah St. Bartholomew Episcopal Church
8255 South Dante Avenue
Chicago, IL 60619

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