Wake Service Sunday Evening, 2 May 2010
Dear friends and relatives,
We are here to celebrate the life of Kathryn Teoh Boon Kee who went home to be with the Lord at 9.05 am this morning. We were just short of celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary this October.
Kathryn had been suffering from breast cancer since 2001. During this time, she has amazed many doctors and friends at her tenacity for life where for most of the time she wasn't under any particular medication. Most people wouldn't have known that she was not well unless she mentioned it.
This morning she was called for an audience with Jesus the King of Kings and she decided that it was such a glorious place. She chose to stay there instead and wait for us to be reunited with her at a later point in God's time. It was a peaceful and precious moment when she went home.
She lived with dignity and she died with dignity. During the time she was in the hospital as always, she wanted to be cleaned properly even when she was uncomfortable. Even though she had suffered multiple fractures to her ribs as a result of a fall recently, she never experienced any pain and never had to use any morphine or pain killer.
She had a glimpse of heaven several times before she decided to stay there and not return back to us. The first was two Wednesdays ago. Each time we called to her and she would return to us. She returned because her mission was not yet complete. The second time was on last Saturday. She came back because she wanted to speak personally to her dad and brother about the goodness of Jesus. The final time before this morning was last Monday. Naturally we would have wanted her to stay with us and we told her so. Each time we held her with a yielded hand, surrendered to God.
She didn't go suddenly. It fact it was a long goodbye and she gave us enough time to prepare ourselves. Even to the last, she waited for all of us to be by her bedside before she left us.
She was a true worshipper of our God and spent many hours in worship and meditating on the word of God.
Kathryn had such a zest for life. This is seen in her walk. She had the energy of someone five years younger than she was. She was always one step ahead of me and would leave me huffing and puffing in her wake. This time is no exception. She seemed to say, 'I'll race you to the top'. I can see her now sitting there with Jesus, smiling and saying, 'I told you I'll finish the race first.'
She had a wonderful disposition and mild manner. Never raising her voice in a moment of anger. Our greatest argument was over how late I was for my appointments. She was my official 'time keeper' and faithful counselor. My trusted friend and the love of my life.
My family and I would like to thank all the friends and colleagues and relatives who have lent us your support in many ways. For the past six months you have become our extended family. Our home has become your home. My special thanks to:
*Agi - for being our strong and faithful partner in prayer,
*Betty my sister - for being with me most days during the last two weeks to care for Kathryn,
*Mabel - her cousin from Singapore, who made countless trips here just to be with us and to support us,
*Beng Choo, our friend and neighbour - for taking care of our household needs and releasing me to attend to Kathryn's needs
*Jenny Cheam our cell member and dear friend - for being a faithful friend and being there helping out
*Yati - our faithful helper for the past 10 years.
and many others too many to mention.
Proverbs 31: 10 - 31 describes a beautiful picture of a woman in the Bible that best represents the kind of person Kathryn has been to me,
In the Message translation it reads,
"A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organising her day.
She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor,
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
Their winter clothes are mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise;
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear of God
Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!'
Amen.
In closing, I would like to share a verse that perhaps best describes what Kathryn might be saying to us tonight. It is taken from Psalm 118:17. In the Message translation, it reads like this,
"I didn't die. I lived. And now I'm telling the world what God did".
