Tan Ai Lay / Tan Ai Li passed away at the age of 16 on 20 June 1926. She is a daughter of Tan Ean Kiam and the epitaph on her tomb was penned by him.
A Straits-born on Republic Year 1, 1st Lunar Moon, 9th day, died on Republic Year 15, 5th Lunar Moon (summer), 11th day. Tan Ai Lay was bilingual, a gentle and kind girl who handled matters compassionately. She visited Mr. Tan's hometown twice before. Also on the epitaph, the sadness of a father who lost her daughter is revealed when he expressed that how could such a girl of such character die this young! My heart isn't made of wood and rock! I'd rather not feel despair!
A Straits-born on Republic Year 1, 1st Lunar Moon, 9th day, died on Republic Year 15, 5th Lunar Moon (summer), 11th day. Tan Ai Lay was bilingual, a gentle and kind girl who handled matters compassionately. She visited Mr. Tan's hometown twice before. Also on the epitaph, the sadness of a father who lost her daughter is revealed when he expressed that how could such a girl of such character die this young! My heart isn't made of wood and rock! I'd rather not feel despair!
Tan Ai Lay (daughter of Tan Ean Kiam) |
Epitaph on the tomb of Tan Ai Lay (penned by her father Tan Ean Kiam) |
Location of tomb
Block 1 Division B, plot 227 . The name on the burial record list her name as Tan La Sai
[Epitaph translated with help of James Koh and Raymond Goh]
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