Tong Siew Ooi

Dear Mum Thank you for being an amazing Grandma and Mum-in-Law. You were so kind and welcoming to me when I joined the Lim family and took such good care of me following the birth of our boys. T hey miss you and love you so much. We are always grateful of the times we were able to spend with you and David and I will keep those precious memories alive for them. All our love, and rest in everlasting peace in Heaven.

Sa-ee, Though our conversations over the years were sporadic, my memories of you were always filled with love and fun moments. You made and then shipped all the way from NZ our wedding quilt - one that we have treasured so much over the years! We never let the cats even sit on it! The one memory that really sticks out for me is when I was about 13 and you had to go and pick up something from the Clinique counter. There was a gift with purchase and you gave all of it to me. For a teenager who did not wear any makeup, this was like gold! Inside was the lipstick shade "Blushing Nude" which almost 30 years later I still wear and buy repeatedly and I always think of you when I wear it and how my love of beauty began. You will be missed, but I know you were in much pain both physically and emotionally not being with your beloved Jimmy. May you now be pain-free and with your love. Much Love, Jayne and Casey

The service today was a wonderful Tribute to your mum and thank you for live stream. I had intended being there but was unable to. Mum was certainly an example of The Love of our God for people. Blessings and May you all know God's Peace,Strength and Protection in the days ahead. (I am Donna's mum in case you don't recognize my name.)

Our beautiful Tong Siew...at last you are in the loving arms of Jesus. What a journey it has been for you, your family and all who love you. It won't be long and we will all be together again!! Although today has been a most difficult day for us, we know it is a glorious day for you!!! fly high, enjoy all the colors of Heaven, and all who have gone before you our dear friend. What you and Jimmy have been to us and to Jared will never be forgotten...

David, Andrew and Peter I was so so shocked to hear of your Mum’s passing, she was an amazing lady and helped me many years ago to set up the branch of Autism NZ here in Dunedin. She was a great friend and always ready to help a family in need. Now is your time to rest and be with your beloved Jimmy. Go well my friend xx

Dear David, Andrew & Peter We are thankful for our long friendship with your mum, ever since she and you first arrived in Dunedin. We have shared many meals together, laughed together, prayed together and we learned a lot from her. Your mum seemed to have endless energy, yet now she is gone from you, though only temporarily. She has paved the way for you to see her again in eternity. So stay true to the example she set for you, which was dedication to Jesus’ way, putting him first, and loving others with the love that he gives. Your mum is a true daughter of her Heavenly Father who loves Jesus with all her heart. She and your dad have done well to pass on this Way to you so that you also might follow. All our love to you, especially to Andrew and Peter, whom we know much better. Thank you for being such wonderful sons for your mum. Allen & Elizabeth

Some of my fondest memories in New Zealand have Tong Siew connected somehow. I learned how to properly make fried rice and pour green tea, I felt hospitality and comfort in her home and I was (and am) proud to call her and her sons friends. Her heart's reputation proceeded her in any meeting and it always outperformed any expectation, whether that was in art, worship, friendship or a smile. Peter, Andrew and David, it is beyond words what you must be feeling at this time. Thank you all for being an amazing family. Your mother changed lives and I know each of you carry on her tradition. We see her smile, her laugh and her curiosity in each of you. Tong Siew thank you for everything. My life changed for the better when our paths crossed and I carry you with me every day. I can’t wait to see you dancing and singing and painting with the angels!

We want to honour and pay our deepest respects to a most beautiful woman (inside & out), our ‘Aunty’ Tongsiew Ooi who has sadly left a deep hole in our hearts by departing this earth so soon. There are some women who leave footprints in your heart forever, and who you remain eternally grateful to, for being a lighthouse when life was dark & hard. Tongsiew Ooi was our Kiwi family & our Moodie Street neighbour when we moved to Dunedin from Australia for my husband to attend post grad study (2010-2016). She supported us through our early child-raising years with Téa, Elijah & baby Christelle, before returning to Aust in Jan 2016. Aunty Tongsiew cared so lovingly for our son Elijah, devoting one day a week to taking him to hydrotherapy to support his physiotherapy with his autoimmune juvenile arthritis condition as a young toddler. Aunty Tongsiew is the reason I was able to become a childbirth Educator, in Sept 2017, willingly flying over from Dunedin, to Rockhampton, Qld, to be our live-in Nanny. She released me from my maternal duties, so that I could fly to NSW for a week to complete the Calmbirth Australia educator training. Tongsiew was an amazing friend to our entire family, a wonderful nanny for Elijah & Téa, a supportive confidante & prayer warrior helping me through some hard early parenting years, including the loss of our second child Amelie Sophia in 2012. She made the best gluten free dumplings for Heidi - keeping our freezer well stocked! We will forever miss our Aunty Tongsiew 🫶🏼😢🌻. Our prayers and deepest condolences are with you David, Cherie, Peter, Andrew, Alex & Oliver - she has left a big void in so many lives, but also an amazing legacy of true servant hood & agape love for others. With love & sadness, Heidi, Adrian, Téa, Elijah & Christelle Best

Aunty Tong Siew used to administrate the worship orchestra at Calvary Church when I was young. I remember that she used to do it with such passion, while also picking up the clarinet to fill in gaps in the orchestra. She’s a woman of strength and tenacity - very capable and of high caliber. She used to share her love story with Uncle Jimmy with us and how they met. She then moved to NZ with her boys for a better education and future. When I was in NZ studying, she would cook the most amazing Malaysian food that would cure the homesick in any Malaysian student. She’s run the race of faith and fought the good fight! She will be sorely missed here on earth but it’s heaven’s joy to have her ❤️

Dear David, Andrew, Peter and Cheri, Alex and Oliver, We were so sorry to hear about the passing of your beloved Mum, Mother in Law and Grandma. Sending our deepest sympathies to you at this time. Tong Siew was always so generous and kind to me and more recently to my husband and daughters. She welcomed me so warmly into your family. When our first daughter was born premature she went out of her way to help including organising a lot of lovely knitting to be sent to us and making a beautiful quilt. We are sorry we are not there for the funeral. We will miss Tong Siew. Thinking of you all and sending all our love. Jade, Simon, Lucy and Violet .

Dear Sa chi, I'm indeed sad to see you go but find comfort in knowing you are now with God and are free from the pain and constraints that your body has imposed on you these last two years. With much love, Ooi Hong Leong, Penang, Malaysia

Dear David, Andrew and Peter It is with great sadness that we learnt of Tong Siew's passing. We have many fond memories of her great sense of humour and her hard working ethics. We are pleased to have been good friends of Tong Siew and the boys while we lived in Moodie Street. We are sure the many wonderful memories you have of your mother will help you through the days ahead. Sorry we are not in Dunedin and able to come to her funeral. Thinking of you all at this sad time. Clive and Penny Kirkland