Dubai: The unofficial champion of Emiratisation, who helped more than 1,400 Emiratis in job placement, succumbed to lung and breast cancer on Sunday.
More than a decade before 2013 was labelled as Emiratisation year, following a UAE Cabinet decision, Indian expatriate Raylenne Lawrence had been pushing for an Emirati presence in the workforce.
Raylenne, 53, passed away at the Dubai Hospital. Her body was repatriated on February 12 to her hometown of Chennai for the funeral rites. She is survived by her husband and two sons aged 27 and 18.
She founded a consultancy in Sharjah with her husband Joseph Lawrence.
According to her family, friends and business associates, she was a hero of Emiratisation.
“In the past 10 years since the firm was set up, she has forged one-on-one relationships with thousands of Emiratis. They would seek her advice for first-time jobs as well as when moving jobs,” said Joseph.
Husband Joseph added: “Ray [as she was fondly known] was a vibrant person who could achieve anything she set her mind to. She was a go-getter who refused to slow down even during her chemotherapy and radiation sessions. She died in the country she loved.”
Her son Nishant Lawrence, a banker, told Gulf News: “She was a perfectionist and made my brother [still at school] and I live up to her expectations.”
Raylenne helped set up the Stella Maris College 150-plus member alumni group in the UAE.
Speaking to Gulf News, Rema Menon Vellat, director of counselling point in Dubai, said Raylenne’s death came as a shock for those who did not know she was battling cancer.
She said: “Ray was my senior in college. Over the years, I have seen first-hand her indomitable spirit. Through our collaboration in recruitment, I have seen her apply her background social work to help those seeking job placements.”
Emirati Abdul Aziz Al Mousa told Gulf News that he was deeply saddened by Raylenne’s death. The head of recruitment in a semi-government organisation said: “I had known her for seven years and she has been of great help professionally.”
