My Mum…Always an Inspiration!
By Yeoh Chee Koon
It all started with a two-page spread in Malaysia’s New Straits Times on 31st March this year (link here). The article, contributed by NTU retired professor and family friend, Gary Lit, featured my 96-year-old mother, Madam Chow Yoong Yue, as a legendary and inspiring educator in post-war Ipoh. Following its publication, her former students from all over Malaysia were eager to meet up with her, as she had left Ipoh shortly after her retirement, to come live with me and my husband in Singapore.
A collage of a younger Mum in her teaching heydays
Gary gamely worked on a weekend in Ipoh for my mother, the highlight being the reunion with the students and colleagues from her former schools. He chose the 10th August weekend, to coincide with the St Michael’s Institution (SMI) Speech Day the day before, with Mum as the chief guest. With God’s strength, Mum rose very early that Friday morning, ready for the busy day ahead.
After a quick break for lunch, Mum was on the trail again - this time to visit Ave Maria (Primary) Convent where she had ended her career as its first non-missionary principal. She was warmly welcomed as she toured the school, bringing back memories of how she used to address the school assemblies in Malay, English and Chinese, a heartwarming reminder of how God’s hand has guided her legacy through the generations!
Thrilled to be interacting with students all over again.
She was then whisked off to her alma mater, the Methodist Girls’ School (MGS), where she had sat for her ‘O’ levels on her return from China, to escape the Communists. She was met by the school Principal and Board Chairman, and she especially perked up on seeing the four prefects who would lead the school tour. And true to form as an ex-principal, she immediately commanded them, “I want to take a picture with you!” And so they did. God’s grace was clearly evident in Mum’s unflagging energy and enthusiasm the whole time.
Saturday night was the reunion, which took place at our family museum, the Yeoh Lim Chew Oh Museum. Mum was in her element as she spoke, off the cuff, thanking organisers and all present for their attendance, in her strong principal voice. The icing on the cake was the presentation of a drawing of her in her trademark qipao, by her celebrated ex-student, cartoonist Lat. He credited her with teaching him to speak proper English.
That weekend very nearly didn’t happen, because just before leaving, Mum had taken a nasty fall at home, hurting her back. When I asked if she was able to make it to Ipoh, she brushed aside all concerns, maintaining “I can, I can.” But Mum and I know it is only by God’s grace that she could make it through that exacting weekend in that condition. Her childlike faith, often expressed in these words, “Almighty God looks after me” was demonstrably borne out those few days in Ipoh.
To God be the glory, for my Mother, a true inspiration for educators!
You can read Madam Chow’s inspiring testimony “Ever Present God in My Life”, featured in the MOSAIC March 2019 issue here.
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