a sad day for the Paddlers in the Pink
April 27, 2008
Our thoughts are with Yoke Chan’s family and her Pink Paddlers team-mates.
Rest In Peace – Chan Yoke Chan
Yoke Chan cheering on her team at the World Championships – screengrab from Pink Paddlers film
http://flickr.com/photos/7741337@N02/sets/72157604756163694/show/with/2445436409/
(pix from Irene Chui & other team members of Paddlers In The Pink)
Tributes from friends with fond memories : Audrey Ang and Susan Lau remember Yoke Chan >>
Entry Filed under: Breast Cancer Foundation, dragonboat, paddlers in the pink, pink paddles. Tags: Breast Cancer Foundation, Chan Yoke Chan, paddlers in the pink, pink paddle, singapore survivors, world championship.
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1.
Audrey Ang | April 28, 2008 at 2:30 am
It was only after I did a search that I came upon this blog. Yoke Chan was more than just a breast cancer survivor. She was my friend… She was the BCF mother for me.
I used to work in BCF and I will never forget how she was always there to lend a helping hand with raising funds, and with packing goodie bags. I’ll never forget how close we became, and I ended up calling her “mah mee” (Mum in cantonese) and she would respond by calling me “mui zai” (girl in cantonese). I last spoke to Yoke Chan in October 2007 when I called her to wish her a Happy Birthday. She would say “you sum” (meaning have heart, to think of her, and to call her)
I’ll always remember her for her smile, and her fantastic carrot cake and I’m thankful she gave me that recipe which I have actually labelled it as CYC Carrot Cake. And how I was just thinking about her a few days ago, and telling my boyfriend that we will have to invite her and put her name down in the guest list for our wedding. How can I NOT have her there, if she was my “mah mee”.
I will always remember her for her big heart, and how she would take a portion of her yummy goodies into the office for Devi and myself while we’re busy working away. And how she was the only person who encouraged me to try the tonic soup traditionally made for women in confinement, that I had grown up to dislike but absolutely loved hers. She even told me that in future she’ll make it for me when I have my children.
And of course, I’ll remember how much fun we had when I was paddling with the team. And I remembered how happy we all were for her when she got her gold medal from our first overseas competition together.
We went to Shanghai and we were the only team representing Singapore. And we bore the Singapore flag proudly on our uniforms as we embarked on our first overseas trip. She was called to and volunteered to fill up a gap in another team and that earned her a gold medal. We were so very proud and so very happy.
This, and other memories, I will always have and cherish of Yoke Chan and yes, it is a sad day, a sad moment, and a shame, that the world has lost a soul as kind, as generous and as giving as Yoke Chan.
But she has left us with memories and lessons to learn from her life, through her examples, that we shall carry on and remember her in our hearts – for that is where she will always be.
I will think of her from time to time, and miss her. And I will make her carrot cake one day and wish I could call her to tell her what a success or failure it was. And I will miss her at my wedding and wished I could call her to tell her I’d like some of that confinement tonic.
She has left us suddenly and my heart goes out to her family. For if I am feeling as torn and as sad and as teary for my BCF “mah mee”, I pray that they will be able to find the strength to go on. In them, and through them – she lives forever.
So to Yoke Chan, I say this: Mah mee – I will miss you and I am thankful for the brief period that we have together and for the beautiful person that you are. You will be remembered always. love – mui zai
2.
Raymond Anthony Fernando | April 28, 2008 at 12:35 pm
The Lighted Candle:
A condolence message specially dedicated to Mr Chan Gee Kan & family
Dear Mr Chan,
I am deeply saddened by your wife’s untimely demise
Madam Chan Yoke Chan’s passing caught many of us by surprise
We are shocked and we can all see the tears in your eyes
Today, I will light a candle for you and your family
To remember your wife, and to set your heart free
As painful as it is, refocus and rebuild your life
For I am sure that is the wish of your beloved wife
Madam Chan was a cancer survivor and she was strong
I’ll pray for you and your loved ones so that you all remain strong
And hopefully over time, your sorrow will be gone
Life is unpredictable and often circumstances cause so much hurt
But, be comforted that your wife is now in a better place than earth
My wife and I offer our deepest sympathy to you and your family
Our lighted candle burns for your wife and to remove your pain
We wish you well and hope that you can rebuild your life, all over again
Sincerely,
Raymond Anthony Fernando
Poet, Author & Motivational Speaker
3.
susan lau | April 28, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I am deeply grieved by the sudden and sad demise of Yoke Chan.. She was my roommate during Caloundra trip last year. We had a great time. .marketing,.cooking…cleaning…eating.,.laughing..and of course PADDLING..She was a wonderful friend ..She will be greatly missed..
My heartfelt condolences to her family and I wish them peace in their hearts to bear their loss..
4.
Helen Anco | May 1, 2008 at 1:23 am
Dear Suzette
I am so sorry to be writing to you when, yet again, there is such very sad
news.
I have just read of Chan Yoke Chan’s death and this is tragic for her
family, for the Pink Paddlers and for all who knew her. I did not (and
forgive me if I have typed her name wrongly, I am taking it from the paper)
- yet my heart and thoughts go out to all.
Like all in the PPs’ group I am certain she was a person of great strength,
wonderful personality and an inspiration to so many.
If there is any way you can express a ’stranger’s’ sympathy to her husband
and to the Pink Paddlers please do so – I know each person will provide
comfort to each other and everyone must remember that Madam Chan would
undoubtedly want life to move forward in the positive manner she found.
Helen