By Joan D
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 17: Celebrating one’s 100th birthday is always a great occasion and Hannah Sarojini Viswasam did just that at the St Mark’s Cozy Home for the Elderly in Sungai Buloh near here recently.
Joining in the festivities were the home’s seven other elderly female residents — Ling Sok King, 94; Lai Chew Moi, 94; Lee Kim Yin, 94; Audrey Chan Kim Gaik, 93; Foong Kiew, 92; Teoh Siew Lee, 91; Lee Loi Keng, 90.
To add to the gaiety, about 100 people comprising the home’s management and board of directors, other residents and their families, guests, nursing staff, care-givers and other staff also came in full force.
Marking the joyous occasion was a centenary birthday cake in a hall that was also specially decorated with many white, gold and black balloons.
Raymond Jagan, a friend of Hannah’s family, came to celebrate with her as her son could not make it that day.
Raymond, a retired government servant, who was touched by the home’s “going the extra mile” to celebrate the special day, said: “This being such an important occasion in her life, I had to be here for her. Her life was simple with not much fanfare or special moments. Over the years, she has not celebrated much. The occasional celebration was marked with friends and the home’s management buying her a cake to usher in the special day.”
Incidentally, one of the ‘birthday gals’, Audrey Chan Kim Gaik, was responsible for raising funds to set up the home after her retirement in 1985 with her late husband then.
She also now lives at St Mark’s Cozy Home, which was established in 2007, together with her daughter, Christine Yuen.
Currently, the home looks after more than 30 residents, some long-term ones and a few staying for a short span of some months.
WE