Memorial Dinner for Kathryn:
7 May 2011
A Celebration of LifeWe had a memorial dinner at the Ee Chinese Cuisine at Eastin Hotel, Petaling Jaya, on 7 May 2011 for family members and close friends. It was an occasion to remember Kathryn as well as for me to thank all those who have been special to our family during the recent years.
We shared some glimpses of Kathryn's life through a slideshow entitled, ‘A Celebration of Life’.
Many of you have known Kathryn for ages and some over a lifetime. There are many others who could not be with us that night but were with us in spirit.
A Word of Appreciation:
A special mention to those were away overseas but made special effort to come: Derrick and Lay Wun who came all the way from Jakarta to attend this memorial dinner and my neighbor Ong, who just arrived from Casablanca.
First of all, our thanks to our God for his grace and strength that has sustained us through the past year. Thank the Lord for the wonderful years that I've shared with the wife that he had given. I’ve got my three wonderful children who had to patiently put up with their father as he struggled through the past year coping with the challenges of being a single parent. My special thanks to the following people who have been special to us:
Kathryn’s Parents:
Thank the Lord for my parents in law for raising up their daughter into the wonderful Kathryn that I fell in love with and got married to. I appreciate my mother in law for being the wonderful friend to Kathryn.
Mark’s Parents:
My thanks to my own parents and siblings for quietly standing with us all these years. My parents have been wonderful parents to me and wonderful parents-in-law to Kathryn.
Cell Members for the unfailing support given to us throughout all these years both when Kathryn was well but especially during the times when she was not. We remember the various cell outings that we had together plus Kathryn's 50th Birthday party that you helped put together that now become precious memories that we cherish. You were there offering your moral and prayer support during the time she was in hospital.
The Overcomers Group that Kathryn grew up together with during her teenage years and enjoyed those times of learning Christian principles. You kept in touch although many of you are now located in other parts of the world.
The Assuntarians Class of 75 who came together in the last few years. Thank you for arranging the ‘wild’ parties in your reunion get togethers that Kathryn told me about. Your belly dancing sessions for the 50 somethings have found their way into my blog.
Lai Yoong & Jenny Chua for taking time last year to put together some meals for Kathryn. We had good times together more than 25 years ago even when we were all starting out as young married couples settling into our first houses then.
William & Jane Wong in Australia: for the times we went on a double date during our respective courtship days in the mid-80’s together during those days. You have been a great friend to us.
Lilian Jansen in Singapore who would have been with us tonight if not for the Singapore General Elections which was held today. Lilian walked all the way from her house in USJ 3 to SS 19 even when she was without transport just to buy foodstuffs to prepare a special meal for Kathryn when she heard that Kathryn did not have much appetite to eat. It is small acts like these that show us what wonderful and supportive friends we have.
Mabel, Kathryn’s cousin in Singapore, who supported us and visited us as often as she could when she learnt that Kathryn was not well. Despite her obligations in her church in Singapore where she pastors, she somehow made a special effort to visit Kathryn and stayed with us to lend a helping hand.
Beng Choo our neighbour, in the times of our need and crisis you were always there to lend a hand. Beng Choo helped to ferry my children from school and tuition classes and doing marketing of daily provisions when we were unable to do so.
Fee Lin who skilfully put together flowers in a beautiful bouquet for others not knowing that those flowers are often a reflection of the inner beauty you have in your heart. You have a heart of gold. Kathryn and I have been wonderfully blessed by the jokes that you frequently sent by sms that would often cause her to break out in cackles of laughter. Thank you for your thoughtfulness over the children.
Lillian Cheah for showing us around the various doctors and clinics when we needed medical consultation despite your own needs.
Jenny Cheam for helping to run errands for us and accompanying Kathryn to the hospital for check-ups and treatment. Kathryn really enjoyed those times you went out shopping and ‘lepaking’ together. We remember the many trips that our families made together - to Australia in 2004, to Bali, to Langkawi in 2009, as well as those many trips we made together with the cell
Amy & Stewart: Amy for being there for Kathryn and making her feel at home in Klang when we first got married. Both of you were not from GT Klang then. Stewart for being a friend all these years. I remember the joys of being first time parents when your Irvin and our Melissa were born during the early years. One of the memorable times Kathryn and I have was the trip to New Zealand in 1990 when we visited you in Auckland.
Margaret & Alex Raj for being our dearest friends all these more than thirty years and for Alex more than 45 years. I remember the ten sen coin that you spared me when my last coin ran out at the public phone during an important phone call to Kathryn when we were fixing up a date. I would like to think that that coin made a difference to our budding courtship thirty years ago.
Margaret Tan and Kang Hoe who have been a great source of strength and encouragement to Kathryn and me all these years. Margaret, for coming over to our home with worship CDs and Bible study lessons and coming by every other day with double boiled soup for Kathryn. Not mentioning the countless meals and sweet fellowship we have had together. We have been much blessed by your friendship and generous spirit.
Agi Hoh who has been a gracious friend, a tower of strength and encouragement to Kathryn and myself throughout all these years particularly during the past recent years when Kathryn faced the most critical challenge in her life. You have been our tireless and faithful prayer partner and counselor. You stood with Kathryn at the most difficult moments.
Poh Keat and Beng Choo: Beyond being a colleague and boss to Kathryn, you have become a friend that she looked up to and respected even long after she left the firm. Thank you for coming by with Chui En and Kay Cheng to pray for her and to show your love and support even though I had to restrict the visiting times and say no several times because Kathryn's condition did not permit it.
Mona & George, my sister in law and her husband for their support and fellowship. We have grown much more closer in the last year and you got to know your brother in law a little bit more better.
Betty, my sister who took special effort to come by and stay with us once a week when she could so that our home would still have a woman's touch. She knew that her kid brother could always do with some help. Somehow the children would always be at their better behaviour when she is around.
Philip and Steven, my brothers, for looking after the business when I was not able to, so that I could look after Kathryn.
Ladies, those of you would come by our home and have become special aunties to my children. You have become very special to the children.
And for all of you who are here as well as those not here with us, time and space do not permit me to mention all that you have been to our family. Thank you and hope you have a wonderful evening.
MT 7 May 2011
