The magnificent seven

Seven sisters become six as the remaining siblings pay tribute to their dearly departed.

Dear sis No 6,

GOD must have decided that it was time to take you away from the suffering and pain you have endured, and heaven must have needed a new angel when you left us peacefully on July 10 at 9.50am. We take it that you chose to leave us when we were not by your side as you didn’t want us to see you go. You knew how painful and unbearable it would be for us, the rest of the six sisters, to let you go.

We have learnt so much from you, sis. Your courage and strength to endure the challenging weekly chemo sessions is exemplary, and you did it until you were advised to cease the treatment, since it no longer helped as the cancer continued to metastasize from your bones to your stomach, and finally, to your liver and lungs. How devastated we all were when we were informed of this unfortunate outcome. More so that you bravely underwent the treatment hoping it could prolong your life by a few more months, so that you could attend your son’s graduation in October. We felt so helpless and wished we could have shouldered some of your burden.

Despite this setback, you demonstrated much courage to carry on and was determined to try to live your life for as long as you could for the sake of your only son, Bryan. You attempted several gastro procedures with the hope that all the vomiting and nausea, plus hunger, would cease. Unfortunately, as you were recovering from this procedure – and we were so delighted to see you able to sip some soup without throwing up – life threw us a curve ball when we least expected it! Your lungs had bacterial infection and subsequently, pneumonia, which led to your difficulty in breathing, resulting in your passing that fateful Monday morning when we were all rushing to the hospital to be by your bedside.

You have demonstrated so much kindness and compassion in this lifetime, especially to our furry friends. So many strays and abandoned animals were saved and handed to new families because of your relentless efforts in finding them loving homes. Yogurt, Tutti Frutti, Lucy, Max, Malorie, Charlie, Christa, Greenie, Scooby, Mama Belle, Stitch etc were some of the dogs you saved. Despite your financial difficulties being a single mum, you continued to save these animals, even with the frequent need to spend plenty on veterinary bills. Your love for our furry friends knew no bounds. You even lost your job to save strays. You constantly found ways to feed them and even bailed them from the MPSJ pound, and placed them in a safe environment. You would even hide the strays from MPSJ when they made their rounds to capture them. Our furry friends have indeed lost a true friend!

You will be remembered for your deep love for mum, us six sisters, Bryan and, all your nieces and nephews. The nieces and nephews proclaim you to be their coolest aunt. You were their friend, coach, mentor, confidante and even partner-in-crime! They simply adored you, as you could relate well with them, making the rest of us aunties, somewhat envious.

Your selflessness and generosity knew no bounds, too. You pledged to be an organ donor when you graduated. However, when you were diagnosed with stage four breast cancer nine years ago, you realised that you could no longer donate your organs. So, when you were approached by Professor Doctor Chin Kin Fah, chairman and founding director of the Academy for Silent Mentor Programme, you did not hesitate to sign up to voluntarily donate your body for the good of others with “Values of Truth, Goodness, Beauty”. A Silent Mentor is described as a good person who holds a good thought and does a good deed for public gain, sans borders. This is so you, sis!

You were bright, colourful, vibrant and cheeky, with inappropriate jokes at times. You were also a symbol of courage, compassion, kindness and selfless humanity. We thank you for brightening our lives and for being a blessing to us all. Only with your absence do we truly appreciate what we are now without. We have despaired with our deep loss and only the strength of our family unity has afforded us the courage to carry on.

Above all, we give thanks to the life of a remarkable lady, whom we are so proud to be able to call our sister. A beautiful soul who brought joy and fulfilment to many, an inspiration to us all and whose legacy will live on forever.

I have no doubt that you are looking down from heaven above, and as per Winnie the Pooh’s words:

“If there ever comes a day,

When we can’t be together,

Keep me in your heart,

I’ll stay there forever .... ”

Rest in peace, sis. Our love for you till eternity.