Paul’s Eulogy for Prema Original Script – Minor variations on delivery ‘Many Thanks to Father Richard for celebrating Prema’s Requiem Mass today. There is a strong bond between the Walshes and this Church. I was living with Mum and Dad next door to the Church at 1 Arbroath Road when I first met Judy – Prema was Judy’s de facto chaperone! – I was 20, Judy 19 and Prema 23 – Seems like yesterday Mum and Dad cared deeply for Prema, Judy, Audry. Prema would have visited 1 Arbroath Road many times for Christmases, and especially, Judy’s 21st, Audry’s 21st, so celebrating Prema’s Requiem Mass here today is absolutely right Thanks also to the many contributions to Prema's Tribute Pages – In Malaysia and UK. The UK page donations going to the MS Trust are in the region of £3,000 – which is excellent and humbling And I am sure all of us here really admire the beautiful Order of Service which Jonathan designed for his Mum - a wonderful expression of his Love for his Mum – Father Richard has already reflected upon Prema’s Life and a some of her admirable qualities…………. Here is what I would like to share with you…………… The amazing Chrisostom Sisters! Rachel, Prema, Judy, Audry, Pat and Liz You will not find a closer-knit set of siblings – fiercely loyal - as I and my fellow brothers in law will testify –all for one and one for all - cross any Chrisostom at your peril - when you marry a Chrisostom, you sort of marry 6! As well as supportive of each other, they are good fun, resourceful and of course, each blessed with the Chrisostom smile – Prema loved and was so proud to be a Chrisostom sister We can look at Prema’s time in the UK as 3 Chapters • The early years. • The challenging years. • The years of contentment Chapter 1 – the Early Years Prema’s had a zest for Life and that was in all aspects, work, recreation as well as play She tried out many interests – fencing, horse riding, languages – She went on holiday with Judy to Majorca, when it was quite novel She was a really good cook -super Indian meat and seafood curries and Chinese rice and noodles dishes Work Prema specialised initially in Acute Care. I remember her working in A & E at the Brook Hospital, which pre-dates the QE Hospital just up the road and King’s College Hospital Camberwell. She then moved into Occupational Health. She would often work on her rest days so she could save for holidays and for her first home. She put every second, minute, hour of the day to good use. By the mid ‘80s she had bought her first home – a maisonette in Feltham and was a Nursing Officer at Queen’s Medical Centre, Heathrow Airport. That was a really good job. She was set fair. But then came the challenging years Chapter 2 – The Challenging Years Unexplained health issues - weight loss, loss of balance, misdiagnosis - it was several years before she was diagnosed with MS - unfortunately, an aggressive form and try as she did, medical early retirement was the only option in 1991 That was devastating. This extraordinarily energetic and dynamic person struck down in her prime – Approach to illness And here we see an equally extraordinary part of her character - Her approach to her illness – She never complained – and I really mean never – On diagnosis her response was not ‘Why me?’ instead it was ‘Why not me?’ Her Life’s mantra was ‘Just get on with it’ The one very bright spot, of course, was Prema becoming a Mum, with the birth of Jonathan in 1986 Judy and Audry supported Prema as best they could – but Prema lived in Feltham, the other side of London and at the time, Judy and Audry were working full time -A challenging time for all. Chapter 3 – The Years of Contentment A new millennium and Judy and Audry persuaded Prema that it would be a really good idea to move over to Eltham – It was an inspired idea and I really feel these were Prema’s years of contentment, despite her increasing frailty. She bought a lovely flat in Newlands Court, very close to my Mum. In the early noughties, Prema was still able to motor in a buggy and I am sure Mum and Prema used to have buggy races up and down the High Street. – I am not sure who was more lethal! Prema continued with her decoupage – several of which adorn our walls at home and with Audry’s and Jonathan’s support, she travelled back to Malaysia to visit Family and old friends and to Perth Western Australia, to visit sister Pat and husband Chris - I remember seeing the photos of Prema on the dance floor in her wheelchair, seeing the New Year in at Kota Kinabalu East Malaysia – I think Tommy, Adrian, Patrick, Sean, and our dear friend Fauzie may have had a hand in that! Relentlessly optimistic - if you wanted to be cheered up you went to see Prema. Her humour was scatty and infectious – well bonkers, really! – So many times, Judy, Audry and I would be sitting with her in her room, she would say something scatty and then realise what she had said - we would then all be in stitches – wouldn’t have a clue what we were laughing about in the first place! I feel the last 10 years saw Prema increasingly at Peace - and it is no coincidence that Audry took early retirement in 2010 and devoted all of her time to Prema’s Health, Well Being and Happiness. A massive acknowledgement to you Audry. What you have done is well above and beyond the call of sisterly duty and Love. – And to Judy, for supporting Audry so tirelessly and stepping in when Audry had her well-earned respite holidays. There was now a wonderful rhythm to Prema’s Life – she looked forward to the 4 times a day visits from her super carers, entertaining them (I use the word advisedly!) with reminiscences - her oft told stories of times past! Sandra, Maisie, Susan, Emelia, Lou, and Joyce were unable to be with us today, because of COVID – We are delighted, however, that Lucy, Tameka, Helen and Ngozi, are here. Thank you, Carers, for all that you did for Prema. She enjoyed your companionship. Prema enjoyed Audry’s companionship, she loved neighbours visiting or just knowing they were around – Thanks David, Jean and Dave for being here today - She Whatsapped videoed her sisters daily Prema was always asking after in-laws, nieces, and nephews and latterly, of course, Fred and George, Sarah’s Burmese cats! She was proud of Jonathan’ forging a career in the Metropolitan Police and Judy and I were delighted to represent Prema at Jonathan’s passing out parade in Hendon 2013. Prema so enjoyed Jonathan and Jesenia’s splendid Wedding in 2016 – another opportunity for her sisters and Family to come and visit her. And of course, she was so looking forward to being a Grandma at Easter. COVID has been a scourge for us all– and whilst unable to meet in person, The power of zoom, enabled us to connect across UK, Malaysia and Perth Australia and celebrate Prema’s 70th on 5th November, unbeknown to us, her last hurrah. I hope that Father Richard and I have conveyed to you a snapshot of Prema’s extraordinary Life. Think of Prema, not only as the lovely lady in red in a wheelchair who held court at Newlands Court, but also as the young dynamic woman who achieved so much and had a zest for life!’