In Loving Memory

MRS YVANGEL THIO YING YING (1961 - 2020)

We mourn the passing of our former CJCian and former member of the CJC School Management Committee (SMC), Mrs Yvangel Thio Ying Ying, who passed away on 20 January 2020. Mrs Thio graduated from CJC in 1979 and was a senior partner and head of litigation with K C Partnership. She had six children with Dr Bernard Thio, who is also an alumnus of CJC. A strong advocate for couples and family life, Mrs Thio served tirelessly with the Couple Empowerment Programme and started the programme with Dr Thio in their parish. In addition to her work and responsibilities, Mrs Thio found time to contribute towards her alma mater, CJC, as an SMC member from 2007 to 2019.

A staunch and passionate former member of the SMC, she promoted the deepening and growing of the Catholic ethos in CJC. Mrs Thio invited inspiring speakers from the Catholic Theological Institute of Singapore (CTIS) to share their faith and knowledge with the Catholic community here in CJC. Staying true to our college motto, Mrs Thio spoke with verity whenever it was needed and was always ready to love others, especially when faced with a difficult situation. A force of positive change, Mrs Thio sought always to give God the glory, content to labour silently and offered all in perfection. During her tenure as a SMC member, Mrs Thio was instrumental in the refreshing of the college crest in 2013. Not only was Mrs Thio involved in the articulation of the new college mission in 2011, she epitomised it - to be a Thinker with a Mission and a Leader with a Heart. Mrs Thio received the Thinker with a Mission, Leader with a Heart award in 2017 in recognition of 13 years of dedicated service to the college.

The CJC family will miss our shining alumnus, our loving sister with the ever-ready smile. We commend her to God, whom she strove always to be with and whose face of love she showed always.

IN LOVING MEMORY

MRS LOW SIEW NGHEE (1943 – 2020)

Mrs Low Siew Nghee was a beloved teacher and Vice Principal of Catholic Junior College (CJC) and we are sad to hear of her passing. A pioneer member of staff when CJC was established in 1975, Mrs Low spent 30 years in CJC – 13 years as a teacher for Geography and General Paper, and 17 years as Vice Principal. Mrs Low retired in CJC in 2005 and is fondly remembered by students and staff.

Mr Tan Jek Suan, Vice Principal, said that Mrs Low was ‘a caring and motherly figure for both staff and students. She touched many lives as an educator and will be dearly missed.’

A person who enjoyed the company of others, she kept in touch with ex-colleagues and ex-students who became her friends over the years. Mdm Indra Venkatram, HOD Economics, recounted that Mrs Low was an avid cook, who ‘loved inviting friends over to try her culinary specialties. She will always be remembered as a lady of strength and integrity.’

Mr Peter Thia, Senior Teacher (Mother Tongue Languages), shared that he considered himself lucky to have had Mrs Low as his mentor as she was able to provide a fresh perspective on the issues he was dealing with. ‘Her experiences with people allowed her to provide valuable insights into what I was facing in my department. She gave me a lot of encouragement and support as I struggled to overcome adversities in my career,’ he said. During her tenure as Vice Principal, Mrs Low journeyed with students who had medical, financial and relational challenges. She found it most rewarding connecting with students, especially when they were touched in some way through their interactions. Mrs Low would also advise teachers to be patient and caring and in time, be able to understand some of the challenges and difficulties their students faced in school and at home.

Her role models were long-serving educators. Apart from her parents, the founding principals of CJC – Bro Patrick Loh and Bro Joseph Kiely – instilled in her the highest standards of care for her charges. Believing firmly that every student can excel in life, Mrs Low would look for ways to help students do well and nurture them as they strove to succeed. Her hope also was for every CJCian, regardless of their backgrounds, to find some form of family in CJC and leave the college having forged that connection.

CJCians everywhere will miss Mrs Low – an unwavering figure of support, love and care for generations of students and staff. We pray that eternal rest be granted upon Mrs Low and God’s perpetual light shine upon her.

Mrs Low at her retirement ceremony in 2005. Mrs Low Siew Nghee