Koh Sok Hiong (5 July 1916 – 7 July 2018), also known as Ms Wee Kim Wee, was a Singaporean philanthropist and chef who served as the 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore from 1985 to 1993, of President Wee Kim Wee.
Koh Sok Hiong | |
|---|---|
 Koh in 1936 | |
| 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore | |
| In office 2 September 1985 – 1 September 1993 | |
| President | Wee Kim Wee |
| Preceded by | Avadai Dhanam Lakshimi |
| Succeeded by | Ling Siew May |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 July 1916 Straits Settlements |
| Died | 7 July 2018 (aged 102) Changi General Hospital, Singapore |
| Spouse | Wee Kim Wee (m. 1936) |
| Children | 7 |
Early life edit
Koh was born on 5 July 1916, the eldest of eight children, in the Straits Settlements[1] to Hokkien businessman Khor Chwee Thor and Koh See Neo, a nyonya.[2]
She studied at Hwa Chiau Chinese and English School and Nanyang Girls' High School.[2] In 1942, during the Japanese occupation of Singapore, a bomb fell near her house.[3] In 1935, Koh met her future husband Wee Kim Wee and they later got married in 1936. Her wedding was conducted in Mandarin at the United Chinese Library.[4]
Career edit
In 1965, she worked as a food writer for magazine Her World in a column titled "Malaysian Kitchen", writing nyonya recipes.[4]
In 1985, Koh became the 4th Spouse of the President of Singapore after her husband Wee, was elected President of Singapore.[5] During her time as Spouse, she did philanthropy work and supported charities such as Girl Guides Singapore, Life Community Services Society, and Jamiyah Home for the Aged,[4] serving as the patron of the former from 1985 to 1994.[6][7] In 1986, she met Pope John Paul II.[8]
In 1993, Koh stepped down as Spouse after Wee's resignation as president.[9] Then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong stated that she had "contributed to the prestige and respectability of the presidency".[10]
Personal life edit
She married Wee Kim Wee in 1936 and they had 7 kids.[11] In 2005, her daughter Wee Eng Hwa, published a cookbook titled Cooking For The President - Reflections & Recipes Of Mrs Wee Kim Wee which contained 200 of Koh's Peranakan recipes.[12] In 2015, she suffered a stroke that left her using a wheelchair and being tube-fed.[13]
Death edit
On 7 July 2018, Koh died at Changi General Hospital after suffering from some breathing difficulties at 102. She is survived by her 6 children,[a] 13 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.[13]
Notes edit
- ^ Koh had 7 children but her only son, Bill Wee Hock Kee, died in 2015.
References edit
- ^ Ng, Irene (17 August 1993). "First Lady's pain and joy". The New Paper. p. 10. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ a b Tham, Sean; Chaw, Elly (9 July 2018). "In Memoriam: 6 lesser-known facts about Mrs Wee Kim Wee". The Peak Magazine. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ Choo, Cynthia (11 July 2018). "Mrs Wee Kim Wee's way to love was through her cooking, family and friends say in eulogies". TODAY. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ a b c "12 things you didn't know about Mrs Wee Kim Wee". The Straits Times. 9 July 2018. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ John, Alan (28 August 1985). "Wee Kim Wee to be President". The Straits Times. p. 1. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Guide award for Mrs Dhana". The Straits Times. 30 July 1990. p. 23. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Choo, Cynthia (11 July 2018). "Family and friends turn up to pay last respects to Mrs Wee Kim Wee". TODAY. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ "Pope meets the President and PM Lee". The Straits Times. 21 November 1986. p. 20. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "Warmth always remembered". The Business Times. 2 September 1993. p. 24. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Teo, Anna; Chuang, Peck Ming (1 September 1993). "House pays tribute to outgoing President". The Business Times. p. 2. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ "'Cooking for her is an art form'". The New Paper. 17 August 1993. p. 10. Retrieved 23 April 2024 – via NewspaperSG.
- ^ Yuen-C, Tham (8 July 2018). "Wife of Wee Kim Wee dies at 102". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
- ^ a b Yuen-C, Tham (8 July 2018). "Mrs Wee Kim Wee, wife of late Singapore president, dies at age 102". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 23 April 2024.