It is with insurmountable pain and sadness that we must announce the passing of Kim Lian Klop nee Cheung. Kim was a mom, a grandma, a sister and an aunt to many at home in Singapore. Kim is survived by her only daughter, Nancy, her son in law, Manny and her loving granddaughter, Monique and many relatives in Singapore.

My parents immigrated to Canada in 1955, my mom left her homeland to marry the man of her dreams, my Dad. My mom fought with a vengeance and did not believe in arranged marriages. She begged her mother to let her marry the man she loved. I suppose even in that time, my grandma would have been progressive in her thinking as that arranged marriage was never to be. Instead my parents married in Singapore and both worked at Heineken brewery, my dad the brewmaster, my mom his assisant.

As immigrants, it was difficult at best. My Dad was educated, however, that education did not apply here in Kamloops. He worked at a sawmill and they rented company housing. My mom came from a cosmopolitan city to a tiny community where horses were still tied to the post on main street. She endured the minus 30 temps, wind and snow whistling through their little house with a baby in tow being me.

Through the years my dad refused to stay in the life he had, he had a responsibility to his wife and child so he got his real estate licence. My mom was a stay at home mom, who would take the occasional job to make ends meet but her first priority was to be the best wife and mom she could ever be and she was.

My mom suffered a stroke in 1987 and continued to fight that with a vengeance as she suffered an aneurysm. She lost her husband in 1989 which was devastating for her. Mom became a part of our family unit and continued to live with us until we could no longer physically care for her. She lived out her days in Ponderosa and then for the past six years in Ridgeview Lodge.

My mom will always be remembered for her respectful ways, she was a non demanding person, always to be polite and quiet. Even as of the last year, my mom participated in floor hockey from a wheelchair, intent to win. She was always participating whether it be music, hockey, tai chi or social teas. It would surprise everyone my mom would be so competitive but not a surprise to me.

I remember growing up and thinking that despite my mom`s quiet nature, she had the will to fight when all was against her.  And we all saw this in these last few days.

Mom will be remembered as the “woman about town” as she walked her granddaughter, Monique, in a stroller as a baby.  It was the same route each and every day as she would smile or wave to people she knew downtown. She would take her rest in Riverside Park sometimes to just look out and enjoy the view before continuing home.

My mom’s health woes over the years have been tragic, however, she will be remembered for her fight to retain her dignity to the end. It was her time and I had given mom the last of her choices if she chose to take them.

Our family is devastated by the loss of this beautiful passive woman who touched the lives of many. She was a loyal partner in her marriage to my dad, the best mom I could ever ask for and her relationship with Monique is a bond never ever to be broken even in death.

There will be a graveside service at Hillside Cemetery on Friday October 9th at 2:00 p.m. This is an open invite to anyone who would like to attend please feel free. There will be a Celebration of Life for Kim at a later date.

We love you so much mom and we miss you already……”What’s new pussycat, whoa whoa whoa” will be retired by our family. We will remember you always and forever. May you now rest in peace, fly with angels and be with your husband, sister and mother once again. There will be no more suffering mama and we love you more than words could ever say………….