Tribute to my Aunt – Koon On Swee

My aunt, Baby Ee as she is fondly known to us,  passed away on Friday at 1240am 2Dec 2011 at the age of 65. She leaves behind a loving husband, 2 children and 3 grandchildren.

My aunt is full of grace even with little education in her upbringing, she and her husband has crafted a great life for themselves from scrap. My uncle was reminiscing old time stories for all of us, and one which touched my heart, was how at a tender age of 22 he had saved a total of RM200 – and how through courting my aunt – had spent it all in a month. He will take her for the movies sitting right in front [to save money], and then to supper to have took-thok mee. They have both fallen in love with each other – and have since built a beautiful life together. The couples were loving and caring to each other. They are married for 42 years.

My uncle was a very conservative man, and they saved up all they can. When I was young, he does sometimes seems like ‘Scrooge’. Life was difficult when they were young, but they were hard working, honest and dedicated their lives to build what they have today together. My aunt on the other hand, was very charitable and always helped with little ‘handouts’ to her younger siblings whenever she can. Soon, she transformed my uncle – making him a much happier and open person.

My auntie suffered from colon cancer, and relentless steps were taken to support and treat her. Her family has been her ROCK and their unconditional love has sustain her for over 5 years.

I made it back to Penang on Thursday and we manage to see her. She was still very lucid, jovial and happy to see so many people visit her. Although she was tired, she would not close her eyes… so I requested my youngest Aunt Sally to sing to her… while we held her hands… after a while, Aunt Sally stopped, and Baby ee said, ‘eh what happened record jam ker?’(in hokkien), it was hilarious. She was still sharp and her little interjections were light and humorous. Even in her weak state, her core being still shines… to make the world a happier place. She still manages to make us all laugh and she was laughing along with us. She has made a positive difference in this world.

What I will remember most about her:
She is gracious, she cooks great laksa [which we are there to savor every CNY], she loves to play mahjong, she is modest and humble, she is a great seamstress, she is a clean freak [hahaha runs in the family], she loves white, she is a christian, she loves children, she gave me my favorite t-shirt of all time [with a pixie print, that i would wear almost everyday when I was about 7 (after laundry, mind you), of which i was nicknamed Pixie], she is charitable, she loves her siblings and families, she is generally soft and quiet [in comparison to the noisy lot we are], she loves to joke, she was very house proud, she is a great wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and auntie.

Baby Ee will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all in the family. Rest in eternal peace.

 

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