from Mrs Tan Guat Kim, friend and former teacher, Ipoh MGS

I am very sad that Miss Ho died so suddenly . She  was a very good Principal and I learned a lot from her . When she came to Singapore for a holiday , she would contact me and in her last visit we spent time together in my house . We played the organ  and sang songs and hymns after our lunch . We enjoyed ourselves very much and we said that we would do the same thing in her next visit . Sad to say , that was the last meeting I had with her  because we would never meet again .

 She was a very kind , efficient , caring  and humble person . I used to communicate with her by using the computer but later , she had trouble with the computer and so we contacted less often . But occasionally , I phoned her  and I am glad I had the opportunity to talk to her  just before she passed away . She could remember me and then the nurse  who held the phone for her told me that Miss Ho was too weak to talk.

Thus we had to end the phone call. But I sent her a letter after that and I was told  by Aileen that she did  receive my letter before she  had the heart attack . I am very happy that she did read my letter .

I know Miss Ho is in a better place now  !

Regards

Tan Guat Kim

from Swee-Im Ung, former student of 1968

Ruth Ho was indeed a great leader of MGS Ipoh; in her quiet unassuming way, she led the teachers and pupils to ever higher standards - academic, sporting as well as extra curricular activities, including music.  She encouraged us and had empathy for all students, from whichever walk of life or innate abilities; she saw the potential in us and helped us achieve our best.

She had the foresight as to how the school should develop and made it happen.  She was instrumental in raising funds for much building/extension work, and we benefitted from the domestic science kitchens as well as a typewriting room - practically unheard of in the mid 60s.  She encouraged the production of 'Sing Out' in 1967 with teachers and students spending significant time on this project, as well as getting some good vocalists from other schools in Ipoh to join in, which built ties to these schools.

I am glad I managed to visit her in Hawaii a few years ago to personally thank her for her dedication and kind support of all of us - she was humbly surprised at our deep affection and appreciation.

Swee-Im UNG

Group of 1968

from Lee Ai Leen, niece

Aunty Ruth is a part of my childhood memories and I'm so happy that she is also a part of my children's memories. When I was a child she always had time for me, whether to encourage me with the piano, or to sympathise with my struggles over Chinese lessons or to let me 'help' her bathe the dogs. She introduced me to Gilbert and Sullivan's jaunty operettas as well as to children's literature other than the ubiquitous Enid Blyton books. As a child, Christmas would be an even more exciting occasion because she would give my family a special lunch treat at Robinsons. I was awestruck by the starched white table linens, the heavy cutlery and warm bread rolls.

After she moved to Hawaii, she stayed in regular touch and always remembered our birthdays. Aunty would come out to visit us in Singapore once every few years. She was here for our wedding and here when our daughter took her first steps. She flew over to meet our young son and again to join us in welcoming the new millennium. She spent one Christmas with us when the children were still quite small, and I remember her shaking her head at the over-abundance of presents under the Christmas tree. Nevertheless, she was one of the major contributors to the largesse over Christmas, as each year she would send us a few boxes of carefully wrapped presents. She kept this up even when it became an effort for her to go out shopping, and I was touched that she did this for us, particularly when I know she seldom indulged herself.

Aunty's friends were important to her. Especially during her last one or two visits when she tired more easily, she would each time resolve to 'lie low' and have a quiet, relaxing holiday so that she could recover from the arduous plane journey. However, she would always relent when friends called to inveigle a few hours with her. She had to see them "just one more time" she would say. Her last visit was in July 2013. She wanted to see us "for the last time", she said. I wish I had made more of that time

Lee Ai Leen