MRCS' Ruby Lee passes away at 82

KUALA LUMPUR: Former Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) secretary-general Datuk Paduka Ruby Lee passed away at her home in Section 5 in Petaling Jaya here Sunday evening.

She was 82.

Lee, who is internationally known for helming the MRCS as its secretary-general for 32 years (1965-1996) had also received the Malaysian Book of Records certificate for ‘Longest-Serving Secretary-General in Humanitarian Services’.

In March, she received the Henry Dunant Medal — the highest distinction of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement at a ceremony here.

In a life devoted to public service, consumerism and charitable causes, Lee served through four Prime Ministers - Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Abdul Razak, Tun Hussein Onn and Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed - and through some of the country’s most critical situations including the May 13 riots and collapse of the Highland Towers.

She also helped provide shelter, relief and repatriation for over 20 years to 200,000 Vietnamese Boat people, who later found new homes and started new lives in other countries.

Michael, her eldest son expressed his gratitude to Malaysians and people of all nationalities who have been part of her mission.

“She was born to help others, and this she did with an indefatigable spirit, and sense of purpose.

“She worked tirelessly towards alleviating sorrow and pain, whatever the tragedy or critical situation she encountered,” he said, adding that Lee spent her last years confined to a wheel chair after a stroke and a prolonged battle with cancer.

Even as she became increasingly frail, he said she continued serving as the President of the Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped.

The funeral service will be held at the St. Mary’s Anglican Cathedral at Jalan Raja (Dataran Merdeka) in Kuala Lumpur at 11am on June 17.

The wake will be from 10am to 10pm on Monday (June 15) and Tuesday (June 16) at the Nirvana Memorial Centre, Jalan 1/116A, off Sungai Besi.

A wake service will also be held here on Tuesday at 8pm.

Lee is survived by her husband Datuk Douglas K.K Lee, her children Michael, Kenny and Janet, daughters and son-in-law Phyllis Chan, Noor Salasawati and Sonny Lim, and four grandchildren.

The family has requested that no wreaths are sent to the church or memorial centre. Donations in her name could be sent to the MRCS, Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped, Hospis Malaysia and MAKNA.