Serendipity encounter with Chia Hian Neo (daughter of Chia Seng Quee and Chua Kim Neo) at Bukit Brown

We arrived Bukit Brown slightly late (as it rained earlier in the morning). We were lucky as Soh Ah Beng who was waiting for us chatted with a family and we were told by Ah Beng that they could not find a tomb at Bukit Brown Hill 4 Section A. Striking a conversation with them and looking at the picture from their phone, i was pleasantly surprised it came from my blogpost on Chia Seng Quee ! What coincidence and good luck as they were just about to leave empty headed. Among the descendant present was no other than Chia Seng Quee's daughter ! - Madam Chia Hian Neo. She is 91 years old, sharp as ever and fit enough to make the long climb up to visit her father. She indeed is an inspiration to me as she still actively participates in community activities and is a Dance Instructor. It was one of her dance student /partner that encouraged her to visit her father, something that the Chia family have done in the past together with their mother, Mrs. Chia Seng Quee nee Chua Kim Neo but due to the march of time and other milestones of life, put aside since then. 

All of Madam Chia Hian Neo siblings, Chia Seng Poh and two of her elder sisters, Chia Poh Neo and Chia Cheng Neo have also since passed on -reunited with their parents. She is the only one that remains. 

Madam Chia Hian Neo pointing to her name etched on her father, Chia Seng Quee's tomb

A moment of silence and personal prayer for her father, Chia Seng Quee

We are so blessed to be around at the right moment and time, to help Madam Chia Hian Neo in her reconnection and to be regaled with so many personal stories from her, especially from her maternal linkage to her mom's family - Chua Kim Neo, daughter of Chua Kim Teng. One of Chua Kim Teng daughter, Chua Jim Neo married Lee Chin Koon, father of the late Lee Kuan Yew.  I was even fortunate to see a video clip from Madam Chia Neo showing us from her smartphone a video of her sister, Chia Cheng Neo in a ballroom dance with Lee Chin Koon. 

From her paternal side, since Madam Chia Hian Neo was only 2 years old when her father tragically passed away, she doesn't have much recollection of her paternal side other than the fact that Chia Seng Quee was born in Singapore. She does remember visiting Chia Seng Quee's father who used to stay at a big house at the end of the Old Bedok Road / Bedok Corner. She gave two clues, that they passed Telok Mata Ikan and the house is at the end of the Bedok Road which you can't drive any further. What is the name of Chia Seng Quee's father ? This is still a mystery to resolve !

Madam Chia Hian Neo, Ang Ai Lin (daughter), Chia Choo Leong (eldest son of Chia Cheng Poh) and Ivan Gan (son-in-law)

About Mr. and Mrs. Chia Seng Quee 

Chia Seng Quee (photo courtesy of Madam Chia Hian Neo) 

Mr. Chia Seng Quee 

Chia Seng Quee was Straits-born chinese and a senior clerk with the Great Eastern Life Insurance Co. for more than 14 years. He was earning $175 a month and tragedy happened on the 24 November at 8:30 am when he went work and left his personal belongings and a letter behind. Chia Seng Quee died as a result of multiple injuries sustained in the fall from the Bank of China Building in Cecil Street. Witness reported hearing a loud thud and saw the body of Chia Seng Quee, who was dressed in a white tunic suit in a mutilated condition with his head smashed.

Madam Chua Kim Neo (widow of Chia Seng Quee) who was dressed in black and with tears in her eyes gave her evidence in English during the courts inquiry in December. She said her husband was 36 years old and they lived in Still Road, Katong and have been married for 8 years. Her husband left the house at 7:45 am on the morning of 24 November after having recovered from Malaria a few days ago. She went on to describe that there was no financial problems nor did they quarrel. The Singapore Coroner, Mr. W. McQuarrie eventually returned a verdict of suicide. 

There was also possibility that Chia Seng Quee has  not actually recovered from Malaria and that could have lead to his delirium and impaired consciousness, leading to his death. What is the content's of the letter. We still don't know. 

Mrs. Chia Seng Quee nee Chua Kim Neo

Mrs. Chia Seng Quee nee Chua Kim Neo passed away in 8 August 1980. She is the daughter of Chua Kim Teng. (father of Chua Jim Neo and maternal grandfather of Lee Kuan Yew). 

Mrs. Chia Seng Quee nee Madam Chua Kim Neo 

My favorite photo of Madam Chia Hian Neo

This candid photo of Madam Chia Hian Neo resting on the altar table of her father's tomb after a long climb and smiling in a conversation with us recounting the past reminds me of a her as a 2-3 year girl again sitting on her father's lap. It is deeply comforting to know we help facilitate today's event through a chance encounter.  

Madam Chia Hian Neo - all smiles in this special moment of reconnection 

The ground was wet, but in the distance i see the smile and determination of Madam Chia Hian Neo to see her father again. Her daughter was very focus in ensuring her mother navigates through safely too. 

Madam Chia Hian Neo and her daughter making the climb up to visit 

Although Chia Seng Quee died of tragic circumstances at the prime of his life, today felt more a joyful occasion. It was a gathering of sorts, of his daughter, his grandson and granddaughter and grandson in law. The beautiful bouquet of flowers to me reflected that as well.

Beautiful bouquet of flowers from his daughter