Celestina Kum Yin Ma, a devoted mother, accomplished homemaker, and proud business owner, passed away suddenly and peacefully on July 27, 2023. She was born on September 8, 1966, in Singapore and spent a significant part of her life there before moving first to Hong Kong and later to Canada in December 1993, where she spent the remainder of her life.

Celestina was the youngest of three siblings, born into a humble household. Her father, a distinguished stevedore in the busiest seaport in the world, and her mother, a noted homemaker, instilled in her the values of diligence, humility, and care.

Her early career began as a clinical assistant in a walk-in medical clinic in Singapore. She later worked at a computer engineering firm.

It was at a church gathering that she met her future husband, affectionally known as Bernard (aka Tan) and they later got married after he served and left the Republic of Singapore Air Force to starting a business.

She then worked as a private secretary to the Founder of one of the largest based HK-based company in Singapore before departing for Canada in 1993.

Together, they welcomed three beautiful children into the world: their son, Kai (1990), their daughter, Bertina (1991) both born in Singapore, and finally their youngest, Berlina, the first Canadian-born member of the family (1996). Each of them was a testament to the love and nurturing nature of their mother.

In Canada, Celestina became a pillar of strength, supporting her husband in establishing a manufacturing and distribution network within Canada and the USA, and has experience working as a manager in the service industries eg. Laura Secord, MacDonald etc.

Her business acumen and tireless work ethic later served her well in assisting Tan in his new found real estate career. These ventures paved the way for the family to acquire a craft wine business, which Celestina proudly owned and operated until her untimely demise.

Celestina's interests and hobbies reflected her nurturing and creative spirit. A diploma holder in horticulture from Humber College, she loved gardening and often expressed her creativity through crocheting and knitting and found inspiration in her fondness in music. She had a special fondness for the moon, a "Selenophile", and her passion for astronomy was only matched by her love for travel. Above all, she cherished cooking, using it as a medium to express her love and appreciation for her family.

Celestina was a woman of many virtues—soft-spoken, kind, understanding, and supportive. She was patient and non-confrontational, a person of resilience and quiet strength. Her faith was strong, her hope endless, and she had a unique lens through which she viewed the world, making her immensely likeable. She overcame numerous challenges, adapting quickly to changing lifestyles, and starting a new life in a foreign land, all while refining her culinary craft.

Celestina will be remembered not only for her life's accomplishments but also for the love she bestowed upon her family and the countless lives she touched with her warm presence.

She has in her own unique rights, became an extremely successful wife, a mother of a very happy family and a joy to all people around her, especially her friends! - The Tan Family - Peng Hock Tan, Bern, Bertina and Berlina

P/S: For all members of the family and friends of Celestina, a memorial service will be held in Singapore by Celestina's sister in Singapore on/about either end August or early September (date will be finalized and confirm very shortly, please refer back to this link for location/date/time). We will provide the location with the address once we get the confirmation from Singapore.

IMPORTANT NOTE: This site will remains live for at least another 90 days or more to continue to allow anyone whom might have missed the opportunity to send a condolence. Therefore we hope that anyone who has been touched by Celestina in one way or another over the years, to sign into the guest list and perhaps mention what Celestina has inspired you and why you are thinking so fondly of her. Thank you.

P/S: Feel free to browse through the photo albums and videos (top right hand corner) for a snapshot of Celestina's splendor and happy journey over time from a little child, to become a loving, caring and beautiful wife and the mother of 3 wonderful and beautiful children and knowing and meeting the many people that she come to love so dearly.