A grand send-off for Dr Ling’s mother-in-law

In unison: Simpang Ampat Chinese Methodist Church members singing two Christian songs in Hokkien at the wake.

IT WAS a peaceful departure for nonagenarian Seow Tin Choo, the mother-in-law of former MCA president Tun Dr Ling Liong Sik.

Seow passed away at her house in Taman Anson, Sitiawan, at about 11.30am on Wednesday. She was 96 years old.

Her grandson, Datuk Ling Hee Leong said she was watching television in the living room before drawing her last breath.

“She was hungry and told the maid to prepare some food.

“When the maid came out with the food, she noticed that my grandmother was sound asleep.

“That was when the maid discovered that she had passed away,” he said.

Seow leaves behind five daughters, including Dr Ling’s wife Toh Puan Ena Ling and three sons.

Hee Leong said his grandmother had always been in the pink of health except for illnesses linked with old age such as leg pains.

“She had been living alone since her husband Ong Beng Seng passed away 29 years ago,” he said.

Hee Leong, who is Dr Ling’s eldest son, said Seow loved having people around in the house.

“She would always remind me to visit her.

“I try to come back whenever I am free to keep her company,” he said, adding that he last visited Seow on Saturday.

Hee Leong said Seow, who was a good cook in her younger days, would pamper him with all kinds of delicious dishes.

“Even when she could no longer cook, she would get someone to prepare us our favourite foods,” he said.

Concurring with Hee Leong, Dr Ling praised his mother-in-law’s expertise in Foochow cuisine though she was of Hokkien descent.

“Preparing a grand feast for family members was her way of showing how much she welcomed them to her house,” said Dr Ling.

He also expressed his gratitude to Seow for raising Ena to become a caring wife and loving mother.

Meanwhile, Chai Lai Yin, one of Seow’s closest friends, said she visited Seow almost every day without fail.

Chai, 76, said it was convenient for her to visit Seow because she lived nearby.

“I normally visit her in the afternoon. We could spend up to five hours chit-chatting on just about anything that comes to mind,” she told The Star when met at the wake on Thursday.

On the same day, MCA secretary-general Datuk Seri Kong Cho Ha, had represented MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek to pay his last respects to Seow.

Also present was MCA Youth deputy chief Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and local party leaders.

At Seow’s house yesterday, more than 100 family members and church friends attended her funeral service in the afternoon.

A group of sisters from the Simpang Ampat Chinese Methodist Church performed Hold My Hands and Jesus in My Heart in Hokkien in remembrance of Seow.

Pastor Lim Hock Jen who led the session, said Seow was a devout Christian who loved singing songs of praise and worship to God.

“We saw joy in her every time she sang.

“May she be an inspiration to all church members,” he said.

Seow’s remains were later cremated at the Lumut crematorium.