Ballet pioneer and respected teacher Oh Eng Sim, died over a week ago in Penang and has left a legacy of generosity, discipline, kindness and community service.

Miss Oh as she was known among her ballet students at the Oh Eng Sim School of Dancing, had always cut a tall and elegant figure in cheongsams when she was not teaching, and instilled many good traits in her students who had turned up to pay their last respects. Some of these students and friends were also a part of her life once she retired and went to a nursing home.

Dance teachers have always been known to give, give and give, by sharing their knowledge, passion and joy.

Apart from the gratitude felt by her former students whom Oh had spent hours with at her school showing them steps, coaching them to be better and instilling valuable life lessons, a whole community is also mourning her passing.

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Penang owes her a sea of appreciation for her generosity for one of its parish projects.

She was the most substantial donor of the church’s multi-million parish centre, whose hall is named after her.

“Because of her, we were able to kickstart the project and build the centre,” former parish priest Father Michael Cheah said when presiding over her funeral mass last Saturday.

“She lived her life well, by contributing to society as a good parishioner and daughter of God.

“She deserves her reward in heaven and may very well open up a ballet school up there for the angels,” he said during his homily.

Mindful of the fact that Oh had spent over a decade of her life in a nursing home before her passing, Fr Cheah added:

“She has shown us how to leave this world happily and with a peaceful exit.”

Which now begs the question of how the rest of us wish to be remembered when our time comes, and the kind of footprints we will leave behind.

In a Facebook post, Malaysian choreographer Joseph Victor Gonzales, who described Oh as a Malaysian pioneer and legendary ballet teacher and choreographer, said:

“Thank you for everything and the generations you taught. Malaysia was blessed. Rest in peace Ms Oh.”

Ends.

Before Penang’s grande dame hotel – the Eastern & Oriental Hotel (E&O) – closed the doors of her Heritage Wing for a facelift earlier this year, works were already in place by her design professionals on doing all they can to honour the spirit of the Sarkies Brothers who opened the hotel in 1884.

Datin Tham Oi Wah is no stranger to the hotel nor is her work within the group, Eastern & Oriental Berhad.

Years ago when taken on a tour of E&O’s Seri Tanjung Pinang development on Penang island, I asked who the designer was behind the show units. “Oi Wah” was the response and I was amazed by her exquisite taste in the choice of soft furnishings as these were definitely different from other property show units in Penang.

Prior to the refurbishment of the Heritage Wing this year, she and her team had worked on E&O Hotel’s adjoining Victory Annexe building.

“The historical structure and location of the Heritage Wing are the most ideal inspiration for our work, and it has helped me in coming up with the perfect concept and design for its new look,” says Tham.

“We strive to evoke the elegant charm of the early period of the hotel when prominent figures like Somerset Maugham and Rudyard Kipling passed through the doors of the Grande Dame.

“It is quite challenging as we have to maintain the historic integrity of the 19th century structure while upgrading its amenities to the 21st century,” Tham notes.

With the Heritage Wing recognised as a historical building, Tham emphasised that they had to be very careful and strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation on the dos and don’ts.

“Structural challenges might also arise throughout the refurbishment which our team of architects, contractors and designers must solve with a high degree of flexibility and capability,” she added.

On managing the public’s expectation from the revamped Heritage Wing, Tham said guests strolling along the walkway would feel themselves being transported back to the olden days.

“It’s just like revisiting an old friend where they can reminisce the past while discovering the delights of its refreshed outlook.

“I also believe that the cherry on top would be the familiar faces of the E&O staff, whose friendly service are sure to complete the legendary experience, greeting the guests with their unmistakable brand of warm hospitality,” she said.

The E&O Group hopes that when the doors of the grande dame reopen in December with fully refreshed suites and new dining concepts, it would represent a new level of hospitality that would make the Sarkies Brothers proud.

Meanwhile, the hotel’s custodian and general manager Alison Fraser promises the time-honoured tradition of its signature English Afternoon Tea at the hotel as one feature which will stay put and feature in its new Palm Court outlet, where a collection of Asian favourites will also feature in its all-day dining menu.

“Other new outlets will include ‘Java Tree’ where classic heritage flavours will feature,” says Fraser.

“The name Farqhuar’s Bar has been maintained, but the concept is modelled on more of a vintage cocktail bar.”

Can’t wait to revisit and attempt whistling under the main dome of this heritage jewel!

(images courtesy of E&O Hotel)