by Dr Francis Tan

As we take a step back to honour, arguably, the more important 50 per cent of our humankind, let us still ourselves to recognise two super centenarians, who may be forgotten to many in our faith community, but who still live a life of purpose in the twilight years of their lives.

Loh Siew In, baptismal name Cecilia, was born on 31st August 1920.  Her parents were Benedict Loh and Genevieve Lee. She was the eighth child in a large family.

She realised a call to religious life at the age of 20 but owing to the outbreak of the Second World War, this was not realised until hostilities ceased.

She entered the novitiate of Petite Soeurs de Pauvres (Little Sisters of Poor), a congregation established  by Sister Jeane Marie Jugan in 1839, to care for the many impoverished elderly living in the streets of Paris.

Loh took vows of chastity, poverty, obedience and hospitality and the name Sister Alexis de Ste Madeliene at the mother chapter house of Saint Pern in France. She speaks fluent French.

Pope Bendict XVI canonised Saint Jeane Jugan in October 2019.

Today the Little Sisters of the Poor continues its mission of providing care for the elderly, especially those who find themselves without family and cannot care for themselves. They look after thousands of elderly in over 30 countries around the globe including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India and the Philippines.

The Holy Family Home for the Elderly  on Batu Lanchang Road in Penang, was built on land generously donated by philanthropist Aw Boon Par (Tiger Balm) and has provided sterling work for the sometimes forgotten elderly in the northern region, together with its sister home, in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. 

Both are charitable homes, entirely funded by public and corporate donations.

In her time, Sister Alexis served as a member of the congregation in the homes in New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong and France and recalls with affection and pride her many adventures.

When she herself retired, Sister Alexis returned to Penang and now resides in the Holy Family Home for the Elderly in Penang, where she is its oldest resident. 

Always dressed in the immaculate starched white habit , and sitting slightly bent over in her wheelchair, Sister Alexis still adheres to a daily personal  routine and private prayer despite her years.

She has hearing issues, but has sufficient sight to appreciate when visitors call on her; she has good memory and is able to hold a conversation well.

Overall, she is blessed with good health including some scary times during the pandemic years of 2019 – 2022, when the entire home and community was in lockdown, owing to Covid cases among the residents and staff.

Sister Alexis’ birthday is always well celebrated as it falls on Merdeka Day, with a special Thanksgiving Mass in the chapel followed by a simple reception attended by the religious, priests, residents and of course her own family members.

She has a sister Lucy, who is three years younger, also staying at a residential home in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Last year their family specially arranged for the two centenarian sisters to meet up in PJ to celebrate Lucy’s birthday. Her niece Dorothy organised for a special ambulance service to bring Sister Alexis from Penang to PJ, stay overnight in a service apartment and then return.  

By God’s grace, everything went smoothly.

Her hospitality extends to all around her and she will readily intercede for you in her prayers.

Sister Alexis looks forward to her 105th birth anniversary this year 2025, the Jubilee Year of Hope.

May God Bless her.

Ends.

by Marina Emmanuel

Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu: A Pioneer in Medicine

Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu has made remarkable strides in the field of medicine, dedicating her life to healing and caring for others. 

Her journey has been one of resilience, marked by her relentless pursuit of knowledge and her commitment to patient care.

“Prescriptions of Faith” is a book which chronicles the remarkable journeys of two distinguished doctors, (Eleanor and her late husband, Datuk Seri Dr. Peter Tan Ewe Aik) whose paths crossed amid the turmoil of war. 

Set against the backdrop of Hong Kong and China during the late 1930s and early 1940s, this compelling tale begins in 1939 with Eleanor, a young woman from Kuala Lumpur, who embarks on a voyage from Malaysia to the esteemed University of Hong Kong in pursuit of her medical degree. 

Two years later, her future husband, Peter arrives from Penang at the same university, mere months before the outbreak of World War II in Asia.

Unbeknownst to each other, both Eleanor and Peter found the escalating tensions of a war-torn Hong Kong unbearable. 

In August 1942, Eleanor made the brave decision to escape to Free China, while Peter followed suit two years later. After the war, fate led them back to Hong Kong to complete their medical studies where their journeys had begun. 

It was also here, through a twist of serendipity, that their paths finally converged.

The book delves into their challenges and triumphs, detailing their courageous flight from Hong Kong in search of safety and their eventual return to the place where their dreams of becoming doctors first took root. 

In addition to their academic pursuits, “Prescriptions of Faith” also shares the heartwarming story of Peter and Eleanor’s family life and their return to Malaya after marriage, weaving together themes of resilience, love, and the enduring spirit of hope.

“I look back at Mum’s life and career and how she (and many others like Sister Alexis) went through so much, so  long ago when “equality” was not even on the table for discussion,” says her son, Dr Francis Tan.

“Yet, they worked with love and dedication in their chosen vocations, and no man could ever have filled their  shoes.”

“Mum’s early professional life,” he adds, “was with the Colonial Medical Service of Malaya (pre-Merdeka). I believe that as a woman, she missed out on opportunities including being placed onto a government pension scheme even after independence, for the bureaucracy and the regulations at the time were as daunting as they are today.”

“Mum worked from 1951, ran a household and also raised three children, was at Dad’s side in countless things and only decided to “retire” for a new role in 1984 when her first grand-daughter Claire was born. And that was forty years ago!”

As she turns 104 today, Dr. Eleanor continues to inspire others through her dedication to healthcare and her unwavering belief in the importance of community. Her legacy is not only in the lives she has healed but also in the countless young medical professionals she has mentored, encouraging them to follow their passion with integrity and compassion.

Today, we celebrate both Sister Alexis Oh and Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu—not just for their age, but for the lives they have transformed through their unwavering commitment to love and service. Their stories remind us that the impact of one individual can ripple through generations, creating a legacy of hope, friendship, and community spirit.

As we honour these remarkable women today, let us draw inspiration from their lives. 

May we embrace the values they have exemplified—compassion, resilience, and dedication to serving others. In doing so, we can contribute to a world that celebrates the unique gifts each person brings, fostering love and understanding in our families, friendships, and communities.

Happy International Women’s Day! 

(courtesy images from the families of Sister Alexis Loh and Datin Seri Dr. Eleanor Eu)