Eulogy to Mum – from G, delivered by D
Dear Family and Friends,
My name is Darren, and I am the eldest grandson of Maggie Leong. For those of you who were at the Memorial Service, you would have noted that my Dad had wanted to say something, but was too choked up to be able to say much. And so, this morning, with the years of military training behind him, he activated the contingency plan – and that is, ME. And so, I will be delivering this Eulogy on behalf of my Dad, written in the first person.
When I started to court Yvonne, she was living at Thomson Ridge. As some of you would know, I got to know Yvonne whilst I was in my second year in university, in UK. And so, during my summer break back to Singapore, I spent quite a lot of time at Thomson Ridge. From the first, both Yvonne’s Mum and Dad welcomed me with open arms, and made me feel at home. Indeed, in those early years, Thomson Ridge became like a home to me, as I would be here on most days, after work, and on most weekends, staying until quite late into the night before taking a taxi home. I certainly imposed myself on their hospitality, but had at no time, felt anything other than warmth and welcome. Indeed before I got my own car, Mum even let me use her car on a few occasions when I went out on a date with Yvonne.
Over the years, I have gotten quite close to Mum. Yvonne would joke that Mum loves me more than her. We would go to church together on Sundays, have brunch, and on quit a few occasions, get together for Mahjong. On those occasions, she would forgo her vist to MBS. Mmmm, maybe that goes to show that going to MBS to play jackpot is not her favourite pastime afterall.
As some of you would have heard from Yvonne’s and Ronald’s eulogy yesterday, Mum is small in stature, but in that small stature, sits a person with a big heart. Mum is a person who is generous at heart. As Andrea and Russell had said, Mum would use the points that she had clocked up at MBS to give us all a buffet lunch treat at RISE. She had on many occasions bought us tickets using her points for shows at Theatres by the Bay, the most recent being GREASE. When our children were younger, and when we had engagements in the evenings, we would ask our children to head over to Por Por’s place after their classes at Thomson Plaza, and Mum would take the time to drive the children back to our place.
Mum is always concerned about the well being of others, always putting others before self. In the last 20 plus years, she had served full-time at The Singapore Cheshire Home, and made many close friends, with Sister Jakes being one of many. And over the years a the Cheshire Home, she had not only cared for the residents, but have also established a close personal relationship with them. Some of the staff and residents had attended the wake over the last few days and a number are here this morning. I believe she has made a positive difference in the lives of the residents, but as Ronald puts it, I believe the residents have also brought meaning and fulfillment to her life. Thank you, for being an important part of her life, and helping her live a full life.
I believe I speak for all when I say that we had certainly hoped to have had many more good years with her. But we know that she is now in a better polace, in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ. And while we are not short of one regular kaki for Mahjong here, as Angela puts it, ” you have now completed the foursome up in Heaven, and having a great time.” I suppose the Jackpot machines in Heaven will also give her many more 777s.
Mum, we will miss you, but we will also remember you with love and fondness. Till we meet again.
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