Eulogy - My Beloved Granny

Today, we are all gathered to send a great lady off on her journey to be with the Lord.

She was a mother, a granny, a great grandma and a friend to all seated here today. I am sure most of us here would have something to share on how my granny touched your lives in her many little ways.


In her early years, she married into a pretty comfortable life, my granddad was from a well to do family and I even understand that he played the violin pretty well. It must have been romantic then. But as years went by, they fell into difficult times. The family business failed. My granny had to work in a shoe factory to support the family. She was the sole breadwinner and my granddad would be looking after the kids (my dad and uncles) at home. She was definitely one thrifty lady too. She would walk 2 miles a day just to save a few cents of bus fare. And mind you , its a hill that she had to climb everyday.

Her life got a little better when her sons got married. That did not mean that she took things easy. My granny was deeply involved in the raising up of all her grandchildren. During my my mum's confinement, she would personally rear 40-50 cornfed chickens. One each day for mum's confinement food. And yes, not forgetting the chubi xiu (rice wine) that all her daughters-in-law would definitely remember. I was told by mum yesterday she even had a special way of checking if her grandchildren were full during meal times. She would touch our little tummys to feel the size. If its big enough, she would go "hor liao, jiak pa liao" (enough already, he is full).

Like most women, Popo was also very particular about her appearance. She would always do a QC check on the photographs we took of her. "Shui bo, tao meng wu ran bo?" (pretty? Is my hair messy?) She would make us delete the photographs if they did not pass her expectations.

Popo's memory was also legendary! She would tell the exact same story over and over again. Not missing any minute details.

Her hobbies? That definitely must be Bei Peow (4 D). She would find every opportunity to get us to pick lucky numbers during special occasions like weddings and birthdays. And thats not all, she would broadcast the numbers to everyone around. "Ai Buay ar, ta lang teok ar" (must buy, everyone stike lottery)

I am definitely going to miss her $4 ang bao for my birthdays. She would give all her grandchildren an ang bao to buy duck drumsticks. Her great- grandchildren would also be missing her Yakults and Biscuits. Right up to her last few days, she still made sure her great-granddaughter , Janae recieved her box of biscuits.

Confucious describe a virtuous woman as one who practises the San Cong Si De. My granny was more than that. A responsible and caring mother who single handledly raised her 4 children. A doting granny who looked after avery grandchild. A hardworking Hakka woman who led a simple and frugal life. A self sacrificing woman who was unafraid of hardship and placed her family above herself. Most of all, a devout Catholic who kept her faith till the end.

Popo, thank you for all these beautiful memories. You will always have a special place in our hearts.

We will love you always.