Excerpt from The Straits Times
Mrs Lee, a brilliant student who came out top in her Senior Cambridge year, and who went on to build a successful law practice at Lee & Lee, was the intellectual equal of Mr Lee, but she saw herself first and foremost as a wife and mother, in keeping with her upbringing in a conservative Straits-Chinese home.
In public, she was a traditional Asian wife who metaphorically walked two steps behind her husband, as she once quipped.
In private, she was a devoted mother, a caring, gentle woman, and a quick-witted conversationalist who loved literature, classical music and botany. She was a 'tower of strength' to her husband and family, emotionally and intellectually. She believed in the same causes as Mr Lee did - independence from colonial rule in the early years, and later, a multiracial, meritocratic Singapore.
She saw Mr Lee through the nation's toughest moments in 51 years in office, 31 as Prime Minister, girding him for battle the way only a wife can. She helped him through the anguish of separation. She shared with him her instinctive grasp of character among the people they met. She helped him draft and polish his speeches, memoirs and even legal documents.
She engaged him in heated debate on policy matters like the rights of women and was wont to chide him if she thought him too demanding of others.
An intensely private woman who shunned the limelight, Mrs Lee trod softly through Singapore's history. She was a pioneer in her own right, but she chose to remain on the sidelines in public, content to play a supporting role.
May she rest in peace. Our condolences to Lee Kuan Yew.
Below are images taken from The Straits Times special tribute to Mdm Kwa Geok Choo.
She saw Mr Lee through the nation's toughest moments in 51 years in office, 31 as Prime Minister, girding him for battle the way only a wife can. She helped him through the anguish of separation. She shared with him her instinctive grasp of character among the people they met. She helped him draft and polish his speeches, memoirs and even legal documents.
She engaged him in heated debate on policy matters like the rights of women and was wont to chide him if she thought him too demanding of others.
An intensely private woman who shunned the limelight, Mrs Lee trod softly through Singapore's history. She was a pioneer in her own right, but she chose to remain on the sidelines in public, content to play a supporting role.
May she rest in peace. Our condolences to Lee Kuan Yew.
Below are images taken from The Straits Times special tribute to Mdm Kwa Geok Choo.
WAKE FOR MRS LEE
For those who would like to pay their last respects, the wake for Mrs Lee Kuan Yew will be held at Sri Temasek, official residence of the Prime Minister and located within the Istana grounds, tomorrow and on Tuesday from 10am to 5pm.
Members of the public may call 6835-6614 if they have any queries.
The family requests that no obituaries and wreaths or flowers be sent. All donations will go to the National Neuroscience Institute Health Research Endowment Fund, Singapore.
1 comment:
my deepest condolences to MM Lee & his family. she's an exemplary woman that is rare & hard to emulate. may her soul rest in peace.
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