Hundreds attend Lo Hwei Yen's funeral at Mandai Crematorium
By
Teh Joo Lin & Judith Tan
Some 200 people followed the hearse carrying Ms Lo Hwei Yen's coffin as it left for Mandai Crematorium after a service at St Teresa's Church. -- ST PHOTO: WANG HUI FEN
Madam Goh's worst fears came true last week when her eldest of three children was killed by marauding gunmen in Mumbai.
After Ms Lo's funeral yesterday, her stricken mother spoke publicly for the first time about her 'bubbly and vivacious girl who had her mischievous moments'.
In writing, the 55-year-old homemaker said: 'If she was on a personal vacation, she'd also SMS me as much as possible. Her hectic schedule didn't leave her a lot of personal time with family, but even then she took time to be with the family and to have meals with us and I'll always treasure those moments.'
Yesterday, Ms Lo, who was 28, was sent on her final journey by some 600 family, friends and well-wishers.
The champagne and music that had been flowing the previous evening, as friends remembered the lawyer at her 'farewell party', ended. At 12.50pm, a silver Volvo hearse backed up to the marquee in the grounds of her family's condominium in Lower Delta.
Eight black-suited pallbearers - led by husband Michael Puhaindran in a tuxedo - carried her white, silver-handled coffin into the waiting car.
Some 200 people followed behind, first on foot, then clambering into cars and two coaches. They were headed to St Teresa's Church about 1km away for Ms Lo's Catholic funeral service.
The lawyer was a free-thinker whose husband is a staunch Catholic. They attended mass together and were married by a Catholic priest in Bali just over a year ago.
Inside the 79-year-old church, the mood in the packed pews was as sombre as the grey skies outside. Thunder pealed as church bells tolled.
Ms Lo's service was conducted by parish priest Father Michael Arro, 77. The couple had wanted him to marry them in Bali, but he said he had been too old to attend the 'fetching, beautiful and romantic' ceremony.
Tears fell like the rain outside as Mr Puhaindran told the congregation about his wife, his love for her and their plans for the future.
They had been aiming for a nest of some 1,500 sq ft where they would raise two children.
'Yen wanted to have her first child before 30, which means we'd have to start trying around March next year...'
Mr Puhaindran said he loved his wife's 'mischievous nature'. He was nine years her senior, but said that by her side, he would 'feel like a kid again. She's my cheeky playground mate'.
Rain continued to pour down at Mandai Crematorium, where the cremation was scheduled for 3.45pm.
The crowd of 500 spilled out of the small service hall. Mr Puhaindran asked for the doors to be left open 'so people can join in the final farewell'.
In a short prayer, he asked God to bring home 'a new angel'. A private service for family members and close friends followed.
Then old friends and relatives tearfully watched as the white coffin disappeared into the furnace. Mr Puhaindran brought up the rear, carrying a framed photograph of his wife.
Madam Shelin Goh and Ms Lo's mother-in-law, Mrs Mary Puhaindran, were so distressed that they could barely stand. The two fathers were sombre but stoic.
In less than 10 minutes the cremation was over.
But for those who loved her, now began the long days ahead.
'So much has been said over the past week...but one of the best things I'll remember about her was her unfailing ability to be a big sister to us.
When I was going through tough times in school or at work, she would surprise me with a cupcake or muffin...to cheer me up. When she travelled, she always brought a gift back for us. That's the kind of understanding, sharing sister she was.'
Younger sister Lo Hwei Shan, 25, in written comments after the funeral.
OVERWHELMED BY SORROW
'Yen my princess, words cannot describe how much I miss you. I hope you like your farewell party. Because you want me to, I promise that I shall live...'
A tearful Mr Puhaindran near the end of his eulogy.
