Eulogy - Farewell Jessie

My Precious Sister, Jessie — 我的妹妹

My precious sister, Jessie. My 妹妹.

It is hard to write about you in the past tense. You have been part of my life from your very first breath till you breathed your last. We were born in the same year, we were “Irish twins”, and we fought fiercely growing up. But when we both became Christians, God gave us a new commandment to love one another. Somehow, we actually learned to obey it. And today, almost three decades later, I see the beautiful fruit of that obedience.

Many may not know that Jessie was actually the spiritual firstborn of our family. She came to faith before Janet and me, and she prayed faithfully for the family. I used to resist their faith together with our parents. Looking back, I now realise how much her prayers mattered.

When Jessie was diagnosed with breast cancer at 44, we prayed that she would cross the five year mark. But in August 2022, the cancer had spread to her liver, lungs and bones.

Then, in August 2023, Edwin and I invited Jessie to a silent retreat in Chiang Mai. During those days, we reflected on Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11:28 to 30:

“Come to me… and you’ll recover your life… Learn the unforced rhythms of grace… you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Something seemed to shift in Jessie after that retreat.

She began to live freely and lightly.

She travelled. She served. She went on many mission trips. She enjoyed good food and beautiful places. She received the love and blessings of the many people who cherished her.

She lived intentionally.

She lived passionately.

She lived fully.

Looking back, from August 2023 to August 2026, exactly 36 months, these precious years of travelling, serving, laughing, eating, loving, giving, receiving and making memories were a gift from God.

Three years of Jessie’s presence.
Three years of God’s presence.

Perhaps this was God's providence, allowing her to be deeply present to the people she loved before calling her home.

Her final weeks were difficult. In the hospital, I saw a verse pasted on her wall:

“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Mark 5:34

I had been praying desperately for God to heal Jessie here, on earth, with us. But those words made me wrestle with another possibility. Perhaps God was preparing me to understand that healing can also mean being released from suffering and brought home.

On 10 August, I spent the day at a Quiet Day at church, wrestling and crying before God. By afternoon, Jessie’s condition had deteriorated, and we gathered at the hospital.

That night, her hospital room became a place of worship and prayer. Family and friends came throughout the night to surround her with love.

At 3.16am on 11 August, Jessie left us peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her. And it reminded me of God's love for the world as well:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16

She went safely into the hands of the One she loved most.

Jesus.

I will miss her voice, her laughter and her beautiful smile. I will miss knowing that she was only a phone call away. I will miss having someone in the family whom we could always count on.

Jessie was our pillar.

Our spiritual firstborn.

Our dependable one.

She was there for the celebrations, the crises, the ordinary days and the difficult ones.

She loved us well.

And knowing Jessie, I can almost imagine that when we eventually arrive in heaven, she will already have “chopped” a place for all of us beside her!

So don’t worry, 妹妹.

We will try our best to live on.

We will carry you with us.

We will tell your stories.

Most of all, we will hold on to Jesus, the Jesus you loved so dearly.

One day, in our Heavenly Father’s house, there will be a reunion.

Until then, my precious sister, my 妹妹, rest.

Your suffering on earth is over.

Go in peace.

You have fought the good fight.

You have finished your race.

And you have been so deeply, deeply loved.

Thank you for every memory.

And thank you for showing us how to live freely, love deeply and receive God's blessings with an open heart.

We love you, Jessie.

And we will see you again.

Until then, rest in the loving arms of Jesus.

Goodnight, 妹妹.