Macrina -daughter of Mr and Mrs. Leong Yew Koh (former Bidadari Cemetery)

The simple but beautiful marble tomb of a cemetery angel on bended knee belonging to a little girl by the name of Macrina caught my eye. Macrina was born in 12 May 1918 and she passed away on 27 March 1919. She was the first child of Leong Yew Koh and Ho York Ling. The tomb was once located at Bidadari Cemetery. 

With both Macrina parents name being mentioned and the timeline correct, i can be certain that her father is no other than Tun Leong Yew Koh. the first Governor of Malacca. Born in Perak, educated at the Anglo-Chinese School, Ipoh and St. Xavier's institution, Penang. He was awarded the Queen's Scholar in 1908. He went to Cambridge as a Queen's Scholar from Economics and Law and practiced in F.M.S. 

Leong Yew Koh 

Tun Leong served with the Chinese Government (1932-1945). On his return to Malaya, he was a member of the Malayan Union Consultative Committee on Constitutional Proposals. He was a Member of the Perak Bar committee, Member of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Perak Legislative Council, Perak Chinese Chamber of Commerce, first Secretary-General of Malayan Chinese Association and first Governor of Malacca. (first and only Chinese to be appointed as the Yang di-Pertua Negeri).   

Tun Leong was appointed Governor of Malacca when Malaya gained independence. He became the Minister of Health and Social Welfare in 1955 when he was returned as an Alliance member for Ipoh after winning in the country's first general elections for the Ipoh, Menglembu constituency). At the time of his death, Tun Leong was the leader of the Senate and Minister of Justice. 

Tun Leong Yew Koh passed away at the age of 75 on 11 January 1963. More than 500 were at attendance at church and his graveside to pay their last reports. The cortege of almost 2 miles long, left Tun Leong's official residence at 51 Carruthers Roads for St. John's Cathedral. Bishop Vendargon conducted the funeral service at the Catholic Cemetery on Cheras Road and was attended by dignitaries which included the first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman. He was buried near the grave of his wife. 

Family 

Wife: Ho York Ling / Ho Yoke Ling 

Toh Puan Leong Yew Koh, wife of the Minister of Justice died in Assunta hospital on 10 June 1962. She was 68. She leaves behind 4 sons, 3 daughters and 4 grandchildren. 

Daughter: Irene Leong  / Rev. Sister Mary Tarcissius 

The first Asian girl to receive Franciscan Order as a postulant of the Franciscan Order of the Divine Motherhood. 

Rev. Sister Mary Tarcissius nee Irene Leong 
with her father,  Leong Yew Koh

Daughter: Matilda Leong / Sister Mary Pascal 

21 year old Matilda Leong joined the Franciscan Order of the Divine Motherhood in 1950. 

Son: Anthony Leong 
Anthony Leong married his Singapore fiancée, Miss Nancy Chan (a New Zealand trained nurse) on 16 June 1962 despite the passing of his mother recently. He did so to honor his mother's last wish that his son be married. 

Daughter: Agnes Leong
Bandits raided Cameron Highlands while Miss Agnes Leong was on holiday . They tried to force her to write a ransom note, but she refused. They then set fire to 4 farms houses, Mr. Leong's property at his father property at the 19th mile Jor Camp and stole household goods. 

Survived Terror Attack 

Mr. Leong Yew Koh was seriously hurt when a Communist hurled a hand grenade into the MCA meeting at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in December 1949. He survived thanks to the donated blood of the people who turn up to help him.

Cornerstone of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Ipoh

The Governor of Malacca, Tun Leong Yew Koh lays the cornerstone of the new $200,000 Church of Our Lady of Lourdes in Ipoh. The Bishop of Penang and the Parish Priest were present in December 1957. 

Tun Leong Yew 

The corner stone of the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes 
(source: Heritage Gallery Church of Our Lady of Lourdes, Ipoh) 

[research on-going]

Location of tomb

The memorial headstone of baby Macrina is located at the Garden of Remembrance, 920 Choa Chu Kang Road.

Macrina - first child of Leong Yew Koh and Ho York Ling 

Macrina memorial tomb in Garden of Remembrance

References  

Important Post in the Chinese Foreign Office. (1935, November 15). Malaya Tribune, page 18
Untitled. (1951, January 10). Singapore Standard, page 2 
Minister's Daughter Enters Convent. (1955, August 29). The Singapore Free Press, page 5

Back home after 8 years. (1961, November 1). Straits Budget, page 7

500 in church at funeral of Tun Leong. (1963, January 23). Straits Budget, page 5 

Wedding will go on as planned. (1962, June 20). Straits Budget, page 10