NZ couple finally say goodbye to S'pore amah after 40-year search
The Straits Times|December 31, 2023
Standing in front of Madam Lily Wong's urn in a quiet columbarium, New Zealander Laurie Rands was finally able to say what she had been longing to tell her former amah for the last 50 years.
Wong Shiying
NZ couple finally say goodbye to S'pore amah after 40-year search

"Goodbye, Lily, and thank you for everything," she said, with tears in her eyes.

The visit to the columbarium on Dec 22 by Mrs Rands, 70, and her 73-year-old husband, Frank, marked a bittersweet end to their four-decade search for their amah.

The couple came to Singapore in 1971 when Mr Rands was posted here by the New Zealand Navy, and worked at the then Sembawang Naval Base.

Madam Wong worked for them as an amah, or housekeeper, in their Kasai Road home in Seletar until the couple returned to New Zealand in 1973.

The three of them had a close relationship, often sharing meals and bringing their families together on festive occasions.

The Rands, who became first time parents when their baby girl was born in Singapore, said Madam Wong's guiding hand was invaluable in helping them learn the ropes of parenthood.

On the day of their departure in 1973, Mrs Rands was so upset she holed herself up in a room and wept.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, she said: "I could not say goodbye to Lily because it was just too hard. For years, it weighed on me that she might have thought it was because I didn't care." After the Rands left Singapore, Madam Wong continued working as an amah for British and Australian families. She died of a stroke in 2007 at the age of 86.

After paying her respects, Mrs Rands said she was finally able to let go of the guilt she carried with her, and find closure.

This story is from the December 31, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 31, 2023 edition of The Straits Times.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE STRAITS TIMESView All
VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER
The Straits Times

VERDY'S APPROACH AN EYE-OPENER

Former Lions turned coaches Alam Shah and Isa inspired by stint with Japanese club

time-read
3 mins  |
October 12, 2024
Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price
The Straits Times

Lions' morale-boosting win comes at a price

The Lions got a much-needed morale booster ahead of the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship as they beat Tokyo Verdy 2-1 on Oct 11 in the second of three friendlies against J1 League opponents in their Japan training tour.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 12, 2024
Conditions to blame for 'ugly' draw, says Messi
The Straits Times

Conditions to blame for 'ugly' draw, says Messi

Argentina were held to a 1-1 draw by Venezuela on Lionel Messi's return, as Brazil got their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign back on track with a last-gasp 2-1 victory over Chile on Oct 10.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 12, 2024
The Straits Times

Belgium punish Italy at set pieces in 2-2 draw

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti blamed bad luck, as Belgium bounced back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with his 10-man side in Rome on Oct 10 to boost their hopes of reaching the Nations League quarter-finals.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 12, 2024
CARSLEY'S MIDFIELD OVERLOAD BACKFIRES
The Straits Times

CARSLEY'S MIDFIELD OVERLOAD BACKFIRES

England temp boss dismayed by mistakes as Three Lions lose to Greece for first time

time-read
3 mins  |
October 12, 2024
Player strike in England unlikely: Sports law expert
The Straits Times

Player strike in England unlikely: Sports law expert

The chorus of frustrated players and managers speaking out against football's gruelling fixture schedule continues to grow, with Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate the latest to say he would support players' right to strike.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 12, 2024
SOCCEROOS HAVE NO FEAR
The Straits Times

SOCCEROOS HAVE NO FEAR

They head to Japan with confidence despite never having beaten the Samurai Blue there

time-read
2 mins  |
October 12, 2024
The Straits Times

Toyota back in F1 with Haas tie-up

The United States-owned Haas Formula One team and Toyota announced a multi-year technical partnership on Oct 11, in a move bringing Japan's biggest carmaker back to grand prix racing for the first time since 2009.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 12, 2024
The Straits Times

SABALENKA TO STICK TO HER BRAVE PLAN

World No. 2 will be aggressive in Wuhan semi against Gauff; Fritz takes on Djokovic

time-read
2 mins  |
October 12, 2024
Nadal's beauty lay in his purity as a competitor
The Straits Times

Nadal's beauty lay in his purity as a competitor

To appreciate the retiring Rafael Nadal we can flip through record books, hunt down Uncle Toni, sift the clay for archaeological clues, speak to Roger Federer's therapist, delve into the physics of spin, but really it's best if we start with a dictionary.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 12, 2024