My Beloved Grandma Passaway

I want to speak from the bottom of my heart…
Today, as we sit in this circle together, it doesn’t feel like the happy days we’ve always had—
Because we’re missing the center of our family—
That is… “Ama” (Grandmother)

Ama was our shade, our solid root, our inspiration,
And always the heart of our family.
Before we had what we now call “our home”…
Ama immigrated from China during the communist era.
She had no money, no support system like we do today.
But Ama never gave up.
She fell and got back up countless times.
Every time our family faced hardship, Ama rose again—with bare hands, and
Never once did she surrender.
Ama faced many difficult experiences:
Hardship, pain, loss, and loneliness.
But not once… did she lose hope.
Because in her heart, there was only love, selflessness, and unwavering strength.
She built this family with her own hands—
Turning it into one filled with success, love, unity, and warmth.
Every one of us here today… started from Ama.

She raised all 5 of her children with dignity,
Even on days when we had to move houses or change how we earned a living,
Even on days when money ran dry—
Ama never gave up.
She always had a smile, a calm demeanor, and words of encouragement.

• The eldest son, Ah Pae – Ama supported him through university, no matter how hard it was.
• The second child, Dad – Ama sent him to Japan to build a stable life and family.
• The third, Ah Gow Kung – Became a nurse in the U.S., caring for others with the same heart Ama cared for us.
• The fourth, Ah Jek – Graduated from Taiwan and later started a company in Japan.
• The youngest, Ah Gow Tim – Ama sent her to study in England; today, she owns a company in the U.S., living a stable and proud life.

All of this…
Didn’t happen because of luck.
It came from Ama’s love, sacrifice, and unshakable belief—
She never let the word “hardship” block her path.

And it wasn’t just her children—
But all her grandchildren were raised by Ama’s hands too.
There’s no one who didn’t receive her advice.
No one who wasn’t comforted when they fell.
Ama was always there,
Like an unyielding pillar.

Until the very end of her life…
Though her body weakened,
Though illness came,
One thing never faded: Ama’s smile.
Because her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren
Took turns caring for her the best they could.
Not a single day did Ama face loneliness.
Not once was she left alone.
She never slept alone over the past 20 years.
Someone was always beside her.

Even on her last day…
Ama could still smile.
Because she knew she was always surrounded by love.

And what brought Ama the most joy was…
Her 8 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren,
Playing around her,
Calling for her with bright voices,
Passing on love from generation to generation,
Just as she once passed it on to us.

Today… Ama may no longer be here for us to hug.
But everything she gave us will remain.
In our smiles,
In our family’s every success,
And in the love we will continue to pass on.

Ama…
Please rest peacefully.
We will take care of each other,
Love each other deeply,
And live our lives in a way that honors all the hard work you gave throughout your life.

All of us…
Love you the most.
And we always will.