Sunday, March 30, 2008

Farewell, Bee Hooi...

Farewell, Bee Hooi.  And may you rest in eternal peace.
We really miss you...

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Sunday March 30, 2008

In death, she saves lives

By TAN SIN CHOW and CAROLYN OOI

PENANG: Anaesthetist Dr Tan Bee Hooi was a staunch believer in donating organs to save life.

And when she died, her corneas, heart, kidneys and liver were harvested for patients waiting for transplants in France and other European countries.

“That would give her a deep and abiding interest to serve fellow human beings,” said her father Datuk Tan Gin Soon.

“As a staunch Buddhist, she also believed it was more blessed to give than to receive. I feel happy that even in her death, she could give others a new lease of life,” Tan said in a telephone interview from Paris, France.

Bee Hooi underwent a surgery related to arteriovenous malformation (AVM) in her brains at the Fondation Rothschild Hospital in Paris, France, on March 11 under the care of Professor Jacques Moret, a world-renowned interventional neuroradiologist.

However, she succumbed to complications from the surgery and was pronounced dead on Wednesday.

AVM is a congenital disorder caused by abnormal development of blood vessels.

Her father said Bee Hooi, a medical graduate of University of Sydney, had always expressed her wish to donate her organs.

Tan, a Penang Rotary Club past-president and Penang Youth Council past-president, described Bee Hooi, a doctor with Penang Hospital, as committed and caring.

“Despite her busy schedule, she also found time to help others through social works and volunteered her services at the Mahindrama Temple at Kampar Road,” he said, adding that Bee Hooi told him to look after the family before she died.

Bee Shin, 26, said her eldest sister was a strong-willed person.

Her mother, Khor Mooi Looi, 61, a retired teacher, said Bee Hooi had wanted to open the first pain management clinic at Penang General Hospital if her operation was successful.

Malaysia's Ambassador to France Datuk S. Thanarajasingam described Bee Hooi as a truly remarkable woman.

“Even in death, she has given a lifeline to others,” he said.

Bee Hooi’s remains are scheduled to reach Penang International Airport at Bayan Lepas today. The single-mother left behind two sons, Tan Xin Yeng, five, and Tan Xing San, seven.




Back row, center.
During happier times with 2 sisters (standing right) parents, grandma (sitting left), grand-aunt, grand-uncle and friend.

14 comments:

  1. oh, i saw this news in paper yesterday, but i didn't take much note on it.

    may Bee Hooi rest in peace. amitofo.

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  2. Wow, she is an amazing person. Doing her part for those around her. We should take her as an example to help those we can around her.

    RIP.

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  3. May she attain nirvana, Namo Amitaba. Note: I posted this to the Buddhist site for group chants.

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  4. RIP. Just went to pay the last respect earlier and there was a large crowd in the wake.

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  5. On behalf of her parents and grandma (my 2nd aunt), many thanks.

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  6. received a call from mom and dad from her funeral yesterday night, after i watched the TV news. Sad and sorry to hear her news last friday over my mom's phone call. May her rest in peace. i respect her and miss her too.

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  7. Thanks jeniong, joong7028, nathalee. & xendis.

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  8. i just called my mom to double check ... i was so shock when i got the news .... i don't know what to say .... tears all over my face .... may she rest in peace and i'm so proud of her .....

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  9. it's ok Jo, don't be too sad. At least she died trying. And she made a great sacrifice for others.

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  10. Just heard the sad news :(. May she rest in peace.

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  11. I'll be taking a few hrs off to attend the funeral today.

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  12. I opened the multiply today and shock with this news, life is so uncertain, please rest in peace Bee Hooi......

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