My mother passed away at around 6.00pm on 28 April 2025 at Hospital Kuala Lumpur. This eulogy was read by my uncle, Samson Paul on my behalf at my mother’s funeral service on 30 April 2025 at Zion Lutheran Cathedral, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
I deeply regret that I cannot be with you all in KL for my mothers funeral today. My family and I are living in Canberra, Australia, where we have been for the last 11 years.
We last visited Amma in June last year and I got to celebrate my 55th birthday with her and my father.
If she was alive today, I know she would ask me this question – ‘Devan how much will this all cost?’ and my reply would be, ‘Amma why do you ask this question lah?’. She grew up with little but never let it stop her from being generous in giving and sharing with others.
She recently celebrated her 77th birthday on the 12th of April. Her health had slowly declined over the past few months and it was painful to watch her gradually fade from the vibrant person she once was.
She was always my strongest supporter and I remember her always being there for me as I was growing up.
Born on 12 April 1948, she was married at the age of 20 to Thambiraj Devasagayam on 24 August 1968 at this very church building 57 years ago.
She was a devoted big sister, wife and mother. She gave birth to me the following year, and three years later, my brother Melvin Jevan was born.
Though we (my wife Angeline and sons Joshua and Jonathan) have been away from Kuala Lumpur for over 16 years, I have countless cherished memories of our visits back home.
She would always welcome us back with open arms, cook my favourite dishes and cry every time we said our goodbyes.
Her love was constant and unwavering, poured out generously on her husband and family and especially her three grandchildren — Serena, Joshua, and Jonathan — whom she loved very much. She helped us care for them as babies and their early years. They all share a special bond with her.
Her life of love, strength, and sacrifice has left its mark on us. The values she lived by continues to shape who we are.
She provided me with the foundation that has enabled me to become who I am today. And I am indebted to her and forever grateful for her love, care and support.
To my father Thambiraj, papa please take care of yourself and hang in there. There are many who deeply care about you. Let their comfort and strength lift you up at this time.
I want to express my heartfelt thanks to my brother, Jevan, my sister-in-law, Cymantha, and my niece, Serena, for caring for my mother especially in the last few years as her health got worse.
Thank you Cymantha for your patience, love and caring for amma like you would have your own mother. Thank you also to Angel, her carer who faithfully looked after her needs with compassion.
Thank you to my uncle, Samson and his wife Susie, my aunty, Carol in the US as well as my father’s sisters, Caroline and Pauline for their strength, love and support at this time and for standing with us.
I was never one to give a second thought on the importance of family, relatives and friends while I lived in KL. As the saying goes, ‘you don’t know what you have until it’s gone’ so after spending many years abroad, I can tell you that this is what I miss and cherish the most.
Thank you to each one of you present today as well as those who visited, called and stayed in touch with her and my father. Your visits and presence meant the world to her. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Thank you and God bless you.
Angeline Thambiraj 1948 – 2025
Please feel free to share your memories of her and what she meant to you. You can email them to me or post below.
Eulogy delivered by my niece, Serena Rekha Raj at the funeral service
My name is Serena Rekha Raj and I am the oldest grandchild of Angeline Alfred Paul. My uncle had asked me to say a few words about my grandma and at first I was hesitant because it was hard for me, but then I thought if I don’t, some day when I meet my Amaci again, I will probably never hear the end of it for not using this opportunity.
In April 1998, my grandma turned 50 years old and in August that very year, I was born. I’d like to think I was my father’s gift to her that year. My Amaci recently turned 77 years old and I will be 27 in August.
For the past 27 years, my Amaci alongside my Tata have lived with my parents and I. I am the daughter of her second son Melvin Jevan and his wife, Cymantha Sothiar. In 27 years, my family and I have had lots of wonderful and bittersweet memories together. My Amaci was the cornerstone in our household, keeping us all in check.
She would ensure we all came home on time and ate our meals properly, otherwise you would hear an earful the next day. She loved us all very dearly and never stopped worrying for our safety and our wellbeing no matter where we were.
My Amaci was also very fond of the pets we had. She would always give them biscuits while she was having her Nescafe and watching her favourite channel, Sun TV. On days when they would misbehave and get reprimanded by us, she would protect the pets and say “nobody can scold the dog but me” and that’s how our pets got away with their mischief most of the time.
My grandma had a famous saying which some of you might know, it was “I will fight for the right”. My grandma was a tough woman and it was either her way or no way. As my father told me, she lived her life her way to the best of her abilities.
Some of you might know, my grandma was a breast cancer survivor after being diagnosed with Stage 2 breast cancer in 2009. She then faced cataract complications a few years back and eventually was diagnosed with Parkinsons in 2018.
Despite all that, my grandma still stood strong and faced her illnesses head on. She fought a long fight and on 28 April, our Lord finally gave her relief from her struggles and I praise the Lord for that despite how tough it is for our family to accept it.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank a few people who have been crucial in caring for my grandma. First, I’d like to thank my father and my mother, Melvin Jevan and Cymantha Sothiar and my grandfather, Thambiraj who have devoted their lives to caring for her and being there for her both physically and emotionally.
It was not easy managing my grandma as her Parkinsons was deteriorating but they stood firm and tried to give her the very best care they could from our home.
Next, my uncle and my aunty, Mark Devan and Angeline Valladares and my cousins, Joshua and Jonathan who have taken the time to always check in on my grandma and encourage her to get better and live a fulfilling life. My grandma loved her grandsons very much and always prayed the best for them even till the very end.
Next, my Uncle Samson, Aunty Susi and their families who have given so much of their time to support us emotionally and physically and have always come to our home to check on my grandma and motivate her to get better.
And Most importantly, Angelita (Angel) who was my Amaci ls caregiver for the past 2 years. Our family can’t even begin to thank you for all the care you’ve given to my grandma. You’ve always stood by her despite the difficult times and encouraged her to walk, eat by herself and do all the things that made her happy. Thank you for caring for my Amaci so well. She will always remember you and watch over you in everything you do.
To those whom I did not mention, thank you nevertheless for all the prayers and support you’ve given us during my grandma’s life. May the good Lord grant us peace and strength as we accept my grandma’s passing into the heavenly world.
Thank you.
Eulogy delivered by my nephew, Aaron Paul at the wake service
Praise The Lord and good evening everyone.
To all relatives, friends, loved ones, I would like to say thank you all for being here today, as we gather to remember and celebrate the life of someone truly special — my beloved Aunty Angel or I would call her Angel Periamma.
My beloved Angel Perima was a special woman to me. She was my Godmother. I always looked at her with pride, and my love for her was always strong. I saw the struggles she went through, but despite adversity and setbacks, she always had a smile on her face.
Whenever I think of her, the first memory that comes to my mind was when I used to visit her in Kepong. I still remember clearly, me and my sisters going there, walking into the house and immediately spotting her sitting in her favourite chair.
She was always the first person I saw and just that sight alone would brighten my heart. No matter what was going on in my life, that sight brought me peace. When I went to GH to see her there, that same feeling came to me, that all will be good.
One thing I would never forget about her was her fabulous cooking. She made the best chicken curry and when making me coffee, it brought back childhood memories, as it was the care, love and smile she had.
I would always look forward to go there to have mee curry at the back of her house and going with her to the morning market in Kepong. Jevan anna taking me and my sisters there and having makan there, was not only the good food we had, but the built up memories of being there.
The most powerful moment I will never forget happened a few days ago at GH. I will never forget that moment when papa and amma told me and showed me some photos of what Aunty Cymantha sent to them. I was sad and I told papa I want to go and see her as I was overwhelmed with emotions.
As me and papa were walking to the Accident and Emergency Centre, we were stopped by the security, saying to us only one of us could go in. That moment I believe it was a sign from God, I had to go and see her and say my goodbye to my Angel Periamma. That is a moment I will never forget.
As I stood by her bedside, despite being weak, her eyes lighted up and she smiled when she saw me. That proud, beautiful and unforgettable smile. In that instant, all the memories and love over the years we shared together rushed into my mind. The smile she always had until the end, will stay with me for the rest of my life. It was her final gift to me.
Before saying my final goodbye she told me, “Aaron no matter what challenges come your way, I will be by your side and always with a smile.”
Angel Periamma was truly the strongest woman I have known, despite all the challenges she faced, she had a smile for everyone as she never let hardship take away her kindness or her strength. In so many ways, she reminded me of my Amachi, who had that same spirit. That same grace and stand-alone I knew.
I thank my Aunty Cymantha and Serena for the love, care and perseverance they had. Today, even though our hearts are broken, we celebrate her life, a life filled with love, strength, happiness and her endless care.
You will always be in my heart and I will miss you forever My darling, Angel Periamma.
Thank you to my friend William Wong for sharing these pictures of the wake service. If you have pictures and video of the funeral and wake service, I would be grateful if you can share them with me.
Exodus 