"She was a fighter," wrote Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong of his late sister Lee Wei Ling, describing her as someone who was "fiercely loyal to friends", "sympathised instinctively with the underdog", and who would act to correct unfairness or wrongdoing.
SM Lee mourned Wei Ling's death in social media posts on Oct. 9, shortly after news broke that she had passed away at home earlier that morning.
Recalling childhood memories
SM Lee recalled childhood memories of his younger sister — who was three years his junior — including his memory of her first day in kindergarten and how she got a "double promotion" to Primary Three after doing well in Primary One.
"She was older than and way ahead of her classmates, and got thoroughly bored in class," wrote SM Lee.
He wrote about how she continued to do well in school, saying that she was "very competitive and very determined," and eventually won a President’s Scholarship.
Chose medicine over becoming a vet
SM Lee also recalled how his late sister "loved animals, especially dogs", and wanted to become a vet.
He said their parents, founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew and lawyer Kwa Geok Choo, dissuaded her from doing so.
SM Lee said they told her she would have to check carcasses in the abattoir in addition to looking after pet dogs and cats.
"She took up medicine instead, topping her class at the University of Singapore (now the National University of Singapore) and winning a Gold Medal," wrote SM Lee.
Wei Ling went on to become a paediatric neurologist, specialising in epilepsy.
SM Lee wrote:
"She brought to medicine the same intensity and commitment she did to everything, and developed close bonds with her patients, many of whom she treated over many years."
He revealed that Wei Ling was "the doctor in the family", and would be consulted on "big or small" medical issues — including SM Lee's treatment for lymphoma back in 1992, which Wei Ling took a "close interest" in.
"She was a fighter"
SM Lee wrote:
"Ling’s personality and character remained unchanged throughout her life. She was fiercely loyal to friends, sympathised instinctively with the underdog, and would mobilise actively to do something when she saw unfairness, or suspected wrongdoing. She was a fighter."
He recalled how she had a column in The Sunday Times, where she shared her views "trenchantly and vividly".
"Not everyone agreed with everything she said, but her passion and conviction showed through," wrote SM Lee, recalling how some of these pieces were published in a book, “A Hakka Woman’s Singapore Stories: My life as a daughter, doctor and diehard Singaporean”.
Staying in Oxley Road with her parents
SM Lee said Wei Ling stayed on at the family home in Oxley Road with their parents after her two brothers got married and moved out.
"She kept a watchful eye on their wellbeing as they grew older. She supervised our mother’s care after her strokes. She took care of my father too, who was himself growing older and frailer even as he looked after our mother, and especially after she died in 2010."
SM Lee also recalled how his father had once told him to take care of the family should anything happen to the elder Lee.
He wrote:
"Sadly, after he passed away in 2015, a shadow fell between my siblings and me, and I was unable to fulfil his wish. But I held nothing against Ling, and continued to do whatever I could to ensure her welfare."
Took diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), with "fortitude and stoicism"
SM Lee shared that Wei Ling was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) in 2020.
The disease is "similar to but worse than Parkinson’s," he wrote, saying that Wei Ling, a neurologist, had in fact diagnosed herself before the doctors formally did.
"She took it with her usual fortitude and stoicism, and posted about it as one of those things in life to be borne and endured," SM Lee wrote.
He said his sister "made the most of the time she had even as her health declined."
"Now she has left us. I will deeply miss Ling. May she rest in peace," wrote SM Lee.
Ho Ching, SM Lee's wife, has posted "You are now free and at peace", with commentators expressing their condolences for Wei Ling's passing.
Wei Ling's brother, Lee Hsien Yang, called for no flowers, and encouraged well-wishers to donate to charities which would be "meaningful" for his elder sister.
The charities mentioned are Canossa Mission Singapore, Parkinson Society Singapore and Total Well-Being SG Limited.
Demolishing 38 Oxley Road now will rule out options: Edwin Tong
SINGAPORE – Allowing Mr Lee Hsien Yang to carry out immediate demolition works at 38 Oxley Road would “straightaway rule out options which can be considered”, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.
In a Facebook post on Oct 24, Mr Tong said: “We do not think that any option should be precluded, or closed off, at this stage.”
Mr Lee, the younger son of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, is the current owner of 38 Oxley Road and on Oct 21 had applied to the authorities for permission to demolish the house.
To demolish it, he requires approval for building works from the Building and Construction Authority, as well as planning permission from the Urban Redevelopment Authority.
Mr Tong noted that 38 Oxley Road has been the subject of some discussion recently, following the death of Dr Lee Wei Ling.
Dr Lee, Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s daughter, died on Oct 9 at the age of 69. Her death has left the house uninhabited. Mr Lee Kuan Yew started renting the one-storey bungalow in the mid-1940s, purchased it later in 1965, and lived there until his death in 2015.
Mr Tong said: “There is, quite understandably, a range of different views amongst Singaporeans on the matter.
“It is important that we approach the matter with an open mind, as well as keep our options open. The passage of time will help us better appreciate the matter in its proper context, with the benefit of some hindsight.”
More at https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/allowing-lee-hsien-yang-to-demolish-house-at-38-oxley-road-will-rule-out-options-edwin-tong
Over to you, PAP.
TOC completely omitted mention of Lee Sian Long, I wonder he song boh?
李玮玲出殡 侄儿捧遗照送最后一程
李玮玲医生星期六（10月12日）下午出殡， 由侄儿、弟弟李显扬的儿子李桓武捧着遗照，与另一侄儿李韶武在细雨中送她走这最后一程。
她停柩在新加坡殡仪馆，灵堂自星期四（10日）起开放让公众吊唁，直至星期六下午1时。停柩最后一天逢周末，虽然接近中午时分下起大雨，但半天内有数十名公众陆续前去。
星期五（11日）刚从日本出访回国的副总理王瑞杰，以及工人党秘书长毕丹星，也在星期六上午前去吊唁。
送殡队伍下午约1时50分离开殡仪馆，移灵到万礼火化场。
李玮玲除了是已故建国总理李光耀的女儿，以及国务资政李显龙的妹妹外，也是一名受人敬仰的儿科神经科医生。她曾在2004年至2014年，担任国立脑神经医学院（National Neuroscience Institute）院长。
2020年，她确诊患上进行性核上麻痹（progressive supranuclear palsy），过去四年来与病魔搏斗，星期三（9日）在家中病逝，终年69岁。
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241012-5075908
No more reunion dinners for this FAMILEE, ever again.
That Pinky never took the initiative to make amends with his sis will surely haunt him as long as he lives
Deeply miss her ki lan lah!!!
I hope LHY will be allowed to return to SG to attend his sis's funeral without being arrested 🙏
Singapore now has its own Amityville horror house at 38 Oxley Road, for Ling shall permanently reside there as an unappeased spirit begrudging of her elder bro ;)
In Pictures: Looking back on the life of Dr Lee Wei Ling
Just 4 when her father became the country’s first prime minister, Dr Lee never went into politics, and instead decided to become a medical doctor - which she referred to as her calling.
She died at home on Oct 9, 4 years after she was diagnosed with a rare, degenerative brain disease.
Dr Lee Wei Ling, a consultant paediatric neurologist at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, with a young patient on Sept 17, 1993.
Wei Ling as a toddler at one of many family beach holidays.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew on a marine patrol boat with (from left) Hsien Loong, 13, Wei Ling, 10, Hsien Yang, 8 and Madam Kwa Geok Choo during a Sunday outing in 1965.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew talking to a factory worker during his visit to Jurong in 1965. Mr Lee's daughter, Wei Ling, accompanied him during the visit.
The Lee children with their majie Madam Ouyang Huanyan who helped to look after the Lee household from the 1940s.
Wei Ling blocking a punch from her karate sparring partner, Suet Hong, back in Sept 14, 1970.
Wei Ling with her mother, Madam Kwa Geok Choo, in England in 1971, on the occasion of her father receiving honorary doctor of laws degrees at Liverpool and Sheffield universities.
Wei Ling talking to a girl in Shanghai. She was with the Singapore goodwill mission on a 2-week visit to China.
Dr Lee Wei Ling at a ceremony for President Scholars at the Istana. Those present include President Sheares, Lim Hng Kiang, George Yeo and Teo Chee Hean.
The Lee family and Chief Justice Yong Pung How singing a birthday song for Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew during his 80th birthday celebrations.
She took care of you when you fell ill, yet you knew no gratitude, even proceeding to fix her and banish your little bro. Your father would have been greatly ashamed of you, Mr Lee Hsien Loong.
Ah Ling died liao?