Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Tan Hoon Neo (Bukit Brown)

Madam Tan Hoon Neo is the wife of Mr Choa Kim Keat. She passed away peacefully at the age of 77 on 1 February 1935 in 149 Neil Road. She is survived by 1 son, Choa Joon Hean, 2 daughters, 1 adopted daughter and 25 grandchildren.  On her tomb, her date of birth is listed as 11 Day of 2nd Chinese Moon. 

The names of her children and grandchildren listed on the tomb are as follows;

Son: Choa Joon Hean

Daughters: Choa Yong Neo, Choa Poh Neo, Choa Hah Neo

Grandchildren: 

Choa Watt Chiang Eric, 

Choa Watt Seng Walter,

Choa Kwee Neo Jean,

Choa Kim Neo, Nancy 

Tan Hoon Neo is the daughter of Mr. Tan Kim Ching, grand daughter of Mr. Tan Tock Seng.

Mrs. Choa Kim Keat nee Madam Tan Hoo Neo

Husband: Choa Kim Keat

Choa Kim Keat was the only son of Choa Kai Hoon who came down from Malacca to Singapore and joined Choa Boon Buan & Co. (chop Khye Guan Tong), a Commission Agent in Boat Quay. Choa Kai Hoon eventually succeeded his brother Choa Chuan Ghio as the Manager ( branch of Leack, Ching Seng & Co) in Rangoon and eventually died there in 1865.

Choa Kim Keat started as a salesman to Lim Tiang Wah & Sons and after the formation of the Straits Trading Co. Ltd, he was the company tin salesman, a position he held till his death on January 5,1907 at the age of 48. He also managed the large rice business of Kim Ching & Co and married a daughter of Mr. Tan Kim Ching ( Miss Tan Hoon Neo). He was the owner of the residence called "Fairyland" in Pasir Panjang and was a well known lover of orchids and rare plants, having won many prizes. When he passed away, his cortege left Neil Road and proceeded to the Alexandra Cemetery.

Choa Kim Keat

Son: Choa Joo Hean
Choa Joon Hean worked for many years with the Overseas Assurance Corporation. He was also the Patron of the The Lunar Athletic and Musical Party. Mr. Choa Joon Hean passed away at age of 51 at 149 Neil Road on  14 September 14, 1945. He is survived by:
Sons: Choa Watt Chiang (Eric), Choa Watt Seng (Walter),
Daughters: Choa Kwee Neo (Jean), Choa Kim Neo (Nancy)
Grandson: Choa Choon Eng (Victor)

Mrs. Choa Joon Hean nee Cheong Swat Leh ; born 18 January 1896 - passed away 19 September 1929. 

Grandson: Eric Choa Watt Chiang (26 March 1916 - 7 November 2009)
Eric Choa Watt Chiang was the eldest son of  Mr and Mrs. Choa Joon Hean, He had his early education at Outram School and at Raffles Institution. He graduated with a law degree from Cambridge University and became an accomplished Chancery Lawyer. He was married to Hoo Yan Meng (grand-daughter of Hoo Ah Kay also known as Whampoa ) and they have three children Victor, Adrienne and Dennise. He passed at the age of 93 on 7 November  2009 leaving his widow and children to mourn his loss.

Grandson: Choa Watt Seng / Walter Choa Watt Seng 

Lunar Athletic and Musical Party gathered at the house of Mr. Choa Watt Seng's residence at 149 Neil Road for various events such as musical practice (from an article dated 2 December 1937. He was the hon. asst. treasure of the party. 

Grand daughter: Choa Kwee Neo Jeanne / Jeanne Choa Kwee Neo 
Jeanne Choa Kwee Neo married Chi Swan Chiang, son of Mr and the late Mrs Chi Sun Cheng of Malacca in 14 March 1936. The wedding dinner was held at Mr. Chi residence in No. 121 Heeren Street.

Grand daughter: Choa Kim Neo (Nancy)
Nancy Choa Kim Neo got engaged to Mr. Wong Yam Hin, second son of Mr and Mrs Wong Yoon Yean of Malacca in 1939 but eventually was broken by mutual consent in a notice published in the Straits Times in 1940. Madam Nancy Choa Kim Neo passed away at the age of 73 on 1 January 1993. She is survived by her husband; Tan Tiang Boon

Children: Tan Choo Neo, Pearl, Tan Hock Lye,

Daughter-in-law: Ho Nyat Yeing

Grandchildren: Tan Rui Min, Tessa

Nancy Choa Kim Neo

Legacy

Choa Kim Keat is remembered via various roads (Kim Keat Road, Kim Keat Lane, Kim Keat Close) named after him off Balestier Road.

Seabreeze Lodge, the villa built by Choa Kim Keat was one of a number of homes he owned including the "Fairyland" in Pasir Panjang and 56-9 Neil Road (later 149 Neil Road). Seabreeze Lodge was in the news in 2011, when the then owner, Victor Choa (son of Eric Choa Watt Chiang) sold the villa for $104 million to developer Far East Organization. One of the nugget shared by Victor Choa was that Sea Breeze lodge was occupied by Japanese officers during World War II.

Sea Breeze Lodge (source: PictureSG)

Sea Breeze No 37 

Location of tomb 

Madam Tan Hoon Neo is buried in Block I Division B plot 64. Tombs nearby include the tomb of Mr. and Mrs. Kam Keng Siang, Lim Lian Quee and Cheang Siok Tin nee Mrs. Tan Soo Wan.