Of Deaths and Funerals

I still remember the time when I was still so young and my parents and I went to pick Aunty Pauline and Uncle Billy from KLIA. I was so small at that time and Uncle Billy picked me up into the air..=)

I was so shocked when my dad told me that Aunty Pauline passed away. I knew about the cancer but didnt expect her to leave so fast. The very last time I saw her was this year during Chinese New Year. On the last day  she was in Melaka, we went to visit her and Uncle Billy at Ujong Pasir to say goodbye. As we said our goodbyes and got into the car, tears started rolling down my cheeks. I was crying because I didnt know when I will see her again.

Weeks later, my dad told us that Aunty Pauline's treatment was going on fine, but after a few months, it seemed that the treatment was no longer suitable for her. The day when she wanted to fly to the UK, she had a relapse. Aunty Pauline passed away peacefully in Canada.

She was cremated and her ashes were brought back by Uncle Billy to Melaka to be buried at the Cheng Cemetery where my paternal and maternal grandparents were buried. Many arrangements were done and all my dad's siblings travelled across the globe to attend Aunty Pauline's funeral. Her funeral was on the 16th of August 2009 (Sunday). I will always remember that day. I still have the picture of her smiling for the camera when she was in the car the day we picked them up from the airport.

Group photo at Aunty Stella's house

The late Aunty Pauline

Aunty Pauline during her treatment

The Goh Family during the funeral

Uncle Choon Wah's funeral

During the holidays, my dad's eldest brother, Uncle Choon Wah passed away in Melaka's General Hospital. Before he had his Alzheimer's disease, I knew Uncle Choon Wah as a very jovial man. He was always laughing and never seen with a frown. When we visited him during Chinese New Year, he will tell us so many stories,most of the time about his daughter, my cousin Goh Ai Wai and how proud he was to be the father of the top student in Malaysia. He especially loved to play cards with my grandaunty during the Chinese New Year when they came over for New Year's Eve dinner. Uncle Choon Wah was cremated on the 30th of August.

Smiles and laughter of both Aunty Pauline and Uncle Choon Wah will be remembered always. We truly and deeply miss you both and you will always remain forever in our hearts

R.I.P Aunty Pauline and Uncle Choon Wah xxxx