2. When President Ong first learnt of his wife's colon cancer in January 1997, I can imagine his shock and dismay. He himself had been diagnosed with low-grade lymphoma in November 1992. To have one person in the family stricken with cancer was bad enough. To have both husband and wife suffering from it was indeed a cruel blow.
3. But President Ong and his wife took the news calmly and stoically. As President Ong told me several times, life must go on. Both he and his wife decided to live as normal lives as they could. They shut out their ailments from their minds, and immersed themselves in their work.
4. The prognosis for Mrs Ong's cancer was poor. But she fought on, with the support of her husband and family. She was one courageous lady. Over the past two and a half years, she went in and out of hospitals, both in Singapore and the United States. She underwent repeated major surgery, and received chemotherapy and radiation treatment. But she took everything in her stride, and kept to her normal heavy schedule of her own architect’s work and her duties as the First Lady. When her friends fell ill, she would visit and comfort them. She kept to herself her own condition, and the pain she suffered as the disease progressed.
5. Mrs Ong was brave until the end. Her last public engagement was the President’s Charity Ball on 9 July. My wife and I called on her and the President in hospital on Sunday, 18 July. We knew that her illness was in its last stages. She was in obvious discomfort. Yet she received us with her ready smile, and chatted in good spirit.
6. Mrs Ong chaired the boards of Nanyang Girls’ High and Nanyang Primary School. When we talked about Nanyang Girls’ High School, her eyes lit up immediately. The new school buildings at Linden Drive had just been completed. She spoke with pride about the new campus, and was delighted when I commented on its beautiful facade and distinctive features. We had such a lively conversation that for a moment, we forgot that she was not well. She even talked about her next project, to redevelop the Nanyang Primary School.
7. Mrs Ong was the architect for the new campus of Nanyang Girls' High School, as well as several other projects for the school. I was glad to read in the Zaobao that Mrs Ong had donated her architectural fees from these projects to the school.
8. Mrs Ong was also deeply involved in charitable work. She supported many fund raising projects for various charities each year. She was also patron of several civic and charitable organisations, including the Children’s Charities and Girl Guides Association.
9. Many of us knew Mrs Ong Teng Cheong long before she became the First Lady. She was an unfailingly gracious hostess and a friend. My wife and I, and many of us here, have enjoyed her hospitality at her home. We will all miss her.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

10. President Ong Teng Cheong was a member of this House from 1972 till 1993 when he resigned to stand for election as President. We all know him well. He has lost a dear wife. Our hearts go to him and his family in their moment of grief. We offer them our sincere condolences. Even though the untimely passing of Mrs Ong has left a big void for the family, we hope that they will draw some comfort and strength from our sympathy and support.
11. On behalf of the people, the Government and this House, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the President and his family on their bereavement.
12. I propose that the House observe a two-minute silence as a mark of our respect for the late First Lady after others have spoken and the motion is passed.

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