The wife of the late Singapore President Wee Kim Wee died on Saturday (Jul 7). She had suffered from breathing difficulties on Friday, which became worse on Saturday afternoon.
Her daughter, Wee Eng Hwa (75) said Mrs Wee was sent to Changi General Hospital in an ambulance on Saturday night but could not be resuscitated. "They did their best, but couldn't find any pulse except for the pacemaker. She's now peacefully at rest," said Ms Wee as quoted by The Straits Times.
She had just celebrated her 102nd birthday on Friday with some of her children and two friends at her home in Siglap Plain.
In a Facebook post on Sunday, President Halimah Yacob said she and her husband were "deeply saddened" on hearing the passing of Mrs Wee and conveyed their condolences to her family.
"Mrs Wee was an unsung heroine in Singapore’s history. As the wife of one of our most well-loved Presidents, she served the people with grace. She was a steadfast advocate of education and providing opportunities for disadvantaged children and youth. Active in supporting charitable causes in these areas during Dr Wee’s presidency, Mrs Wee continued to do so in later years," the President said.
Born Koh Sok Hiong, Mrs Wee met Mr Wee in 1936, and they married the same year. And long before Dr Wee became President, she was already a constant presence by his side in his career, first as a journalist, and then a diplomat.
The couple had seven children - one son and six daughters. Mr Wee, who was Singapore's president from 1985 to 1993, had described Mrs Wee as his soulmate.
source: The Strait Times, Channel NewsAsia