In Memory of Mother-in law, Mabel

My mother-in-law Mabel passed away on 4 Jan, 2021 at good age of 91 years.

She was very active and independent before she suffered her first stroke in Sep 2012. She had a second stroke in late 2017, and finally a third stroke in Feb 2018, which left her bedridden.

If I am to use only one word to describe her life, the word will be “Remarkable”.  My husband will share more, but I just like to share three short stories of my fond remembrance of her.

1.   When I first married , I had no skills in cooking and household management. Mum brought me to the wet market, introduced me to her usual market sellers - fishmongers, pork man, and chicken man, etc.  Till today, I still buy from them.  She showed me how to tell which fish is fresh, which part of meat is good for soup, and also showed me how to cook some local dishes.  We went shopping together, she always told me  "One cent saved is once cent earned". she taught me how to bargain, how to deal with aggressive salesmen.

2.   One of mum’s impressive qualities is that she is always learning.  In her 70s, she enrolled for computer classes at the community center, where she was the oldest student in her class.  This was how she soon learnt to use the computer for emailing. She also learnt from her grandchildren to setup various social media, such as Facebook.  My children would not be my friends on Facebook, but they are friends with grandma.

3.   Mum always strived to lead an active life.  She learnt ballroom dancing and was avid dancer. Her graceful dance skills even in her 80s amazed us all.

As much as she was strict mother to her own children, she was a loving even an indulging grandma to all her grandchildren.  My children spent many lovely time hand out with her. . Prisca,  who is now in USA, want to say to “Grandma, we love you”, that is voice for all of us from our hear. We will miss her very much.