It was Grandma's funeral today. We love you very much, and you will be sorely missed.
Dear Grandma Sik,
We want to thank you so much for being such a
beautiful soul in both our lives.
You instilled your determination and drive
within both of us from such a young age. Your stories about being a top
sprinter and long jumper in Hong Kong and all your other sporting achievements
inspired us to become the best people we can be.
The memories of you helping us practise our
handstands in the backyard and showing us how to point our toes properly are
memories we will never forget.
You will always have a special place in our
hearts. Rest in peace. You will be deeply missed.
Aiysha and Clara
Dear Grandma Sik
I am
proud to have known you and you will live on in us all.
My
happy memories are many, but these are my favourites:
You
telling me many times the story of Stephen being born during the lantern
festival in Hong Kong - you always made me laugh when you got to the part about
how big and heavy he was as a ten pound baby and how small you were. We always
laughed together about him being the biggest of all your
babies!!
Showing
me a real silk scarf one summer holiday in Lutterworth and telling
me the story of how silkworms spin silk. Now I have silkworms every
year in my classroom for the students to observe, and I always think
of you.
You
and Aiysha (as a toddler) dancing to Elton John CD’s
in the piano room in 60 Woodmarket. You always moved with grace and
Aiysha tried so hard to copy you.
Sik I
thank you of being such a treasured part of our life
Claire
X
Hi Mum,
Do you know how many recipes you taught me? I counted
them up the other day - 40! Can you believe it!?
It is not easy to put into words the impact you have
had on me, and we all have the fondest memories of you, such as the amazing
dishes you cooked for us that I learned to make for my family, listening to you
laughing with your friends while playing majong, travelling on our holidays
together, going to the markets, watching you paint, gardening, and even running
down the corridor in HK chasing Patch with your slipper as he ripped up another
pillow! So many memories, so many precious times.
I am so thankful you were able to visit us many times
in our new home in Australia and be a major part of our new life.
You have had an absolutely amazing life, doing more in
your lifetime than many people could not even dream of doing. Moments will always
come to me at the most poignant of times. Your connection with people was
infectious, and how you treated people gained the respect of so many. We have
all been touched deeply by you, and your legacy will continue on for many many
years to come.
Your spirit will live in us all forever. Thank you for
being my Mum. You were awesome!
Steve
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Thank you Sue for the following:
"As you know the cremation took place at Countesthorpe Crematorium which you probably noticed on your last visit here, is directly opposite the old Glebe Gardens - now known as Chery Lane. So you will recall it as a small attractive building with newly landscaped gardens.
Upon arriving we met up with neighbours, Molly and Philip and also Chris and Peter Ferry who we remembered well from Sally's wedding as we sat beside them at our table.
The whole ceremony was most beautifully orchestrated by Sally and Dave and was very touching. There were no obituary programmes, which I thought an excellent idea, as the ceremony was so straightforward and simple. It was briefly introduced by the funeral director who explained that Brian, Sally and David would all speak. So Brian started and although I was initially concerned that it might prove too much for him, he did brilliantly. Clearly his and Sik's marriage was a very special one and their devotion to each other has always been clear to see. He spoke about their early years together and Sik's sporting achievements. I knew she was a great athlete but was unaware that she had won a trophy as athlete of the year in Hong Kong in 1965 and that the cup, Brian told me later, was still in the Hong Kong flat. It was very moving to hear him. He also spoke also of the hardship of the early years of Siks' life - things we forget as life becomes more affluent. Adopted as one of twin sisters, shortage of food was very much a reality. Can you imagine scavenging in the dark for sweet potatoes? No wonder food became an important part of Sik's life and the preparation of it a real art for her. You can understand so well where the love of cooking came from in her boys!
He was followed by Sally who, also clearly emotionally moved, also added anecdotes from some of her early memories of her Mum. She spoke superbly well .
Then came Dave who started first with your tributes from Australia - Steve's, yours and then Aiysha and Clara's. Well done all of you - all very fitting.
Dave again spoke very well, recalling the interest in sport, the art of cooking and the love of his mother for all her children. Not only was Sik a sportswoman in her own right, but Dave explained how, as he and Steve became interested in rugby, they had their mother's (as well as obviously their father's ) support in all their rugby games. He recalled Sik's enthusiasm as sometimes being embarrassing to a young lad. As soon as he or Steve got hold of the ball, she would yell, 'Run, run! ' and even when they were running, continued to leap up and down , still yelling her heart out. I think Steve will recall this too!
As Dave finished, the funeral director invited us to listen to some music from 'The Nutcracker' whilst the screens at the front of the chapel showed photos from Sik's life. This was incredibly touching and must have taken Dave and Sally some time to put together. The last picture was of Sik in the nursing home, now with long white hair but still smiling in her characteristic way. She was a person who was always smiling and welcoming to others and Brian was obviously comforted, as it was something he mentioned in his address, that she died with a smile upon her face.
I hope Aiysha and Clara are able to remember the earlier years of their grandmother's life before Alzheimer's took hold of her so cruelly. They have so much of their grandmother in them - that sporting desire to achieve and to win but with a very lovable disposition.
So this goodbye to Sik was achieved in the best way possible way."
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