simplified chinese traditional chinese pinyin february january later life rarely known run simplified chinese traditional chinese pinyin buddhist nun known singapore grand dame charity recognition lifelong devotion helping old founder man nursing home buddhist nursing home relatively unknown public featured television programme extraordinary people age result public came know work nursing home received president singapore recognition contribution country november actively involved charity work died january month birthday early life born february family silk china second children family poor sold years old barely years later purchased died sold woman nephew maid years sold late teens group persuaded girls singapore ostensibly work rubber plantation job age married owner grocery business business failed left hong_kong hoping better fortune nearby discovering husband wife children decided return singapore time vegetarian help friend year old set shop lamp worked charging cents hair women day decades interrupted periods acute attacks saved time buy club street property investments eventually landlord renting rooms wealth grew acquired properties began adopt children poor families single mother daughters charity work devout buddhist youth children grown decided serve buddhist cause rest life caring buddhist nun age aged bought storey detached house richards avenue savings turned man old peoples home aged sick single elderly women residents earnings support relatives turn raise additional funds home cultivated sold prize winning white vegetarian food san temple cleaned cooked took charges doctors helped collect social benefits saw rites work unknown public featured television programme extraordinary people age result public came know nursing home asked set old folks home replied feed old folks homes yellow told vertical probably exit horizontal wanted society didn want sit wait die inspired devotion compassion volunteers donations began stream allowing home provide better medical care facilities residents spurred desire approached government piece land expand old folks home gave square metre acre plot woodlands oversaw building new home help raising funds construction published recipe book called vegetarian brought august new storey building opened woodlands street houses nearly sick elderly provides residential rehabilitation day care services home open regardless age gender race religion regularly house activities cooking hand craft karaoke games visits places interest participation community events original home buddhist temple temple despite advancing age continued raise funds provide better medical care set committees help organise classes children secure donations buddhist causes interview given said life charity real enduring receive charity best bad successful raising funds secured donations kind services hindu charity donated man nursing home raised ticket sales charity draw february president attended birthday cum charity dinner gave speech tribute contributions country man nursing home charity dinner event marks lunar birthday importantly reflects years look sick distressed elderly race language religion look cause years deserves recognized formidable role model young old wife wish happy birthday good health happiness thank valuable contributions community wish man nursing home success serving sick elderly singapore death january died peacefully sleep month turning hospitalised november cooked looked played active role running temple nursing home hospital stay suffered stroke affected speech left body discharged december nursing home developed chest infection breathing difficulties days died death president sent roses government ministers attended wake including senior minister state health minister state minister state education trade industry mayor temple officials said left instructions distributed equally charities purchased simple coffin years death set aside pay funeral january chartered buses took scores wheelchair bound residents representatives buddhist temples buddhist temple final prayers ashes kept days temple making way final resting place china niece lives follow funeral remains personal items day public display temple february relics displayed pearl like deposits found ashes believe usually found cremated buddhist masters holy treat reverence death work temple nursing home administered reverend reverend respectively commemoration book life written english launched remembering charity lunch held january called life page book written home executive director hardcover copies book printed raise funds home costs million year run bronze sculpture sculptor portrait artist unveiled event president sculpture painting display woodlands home new hybrid created officially named presented received president
Ho Yuen Hoe