Mr Winston Choo, former aide-de-camp to Mr Yusof, said in CNA’s 2015 documentary: “Personally, she takes great pain to see to the menu, decide on the menu, and to actually supervise even the cooking of the dessert.”
He added: “In all my life, even until today, I have not eaten gula melaka the way she prepared.”
FIRST ASIAN PRESIDENT OF SINGAPORE GIRL GUIDES ASSOCIATION
As Singapore’s first lady, she took on a leading role as patron or president of numerous charitable and public organisations.
She hosted meetings for welfare organisations, raising funds to help the poor, the handicapped and the aged. Using her own initiative, she prepared food like sandwiches, ondeh ondeh, and epok epok for tea parties to thank donors.
In 1964, she received the Distinguished Service Medal for her “active and dedicated” interest in social welfare work – from Mr Yusof himself.
She had a particular affinity for organisations working with women. Concerned about the education of young girls, she agreed to be president and patron of the Singapore Girl Guides Association – as it was then known – in 1960.
Her letters to the government helped the association obtain a land lease for a new headquarters building in the 1960s.
In 1970, in honour of her decade-long service as the first Asian president of the Singapore Girl Guides Association, Puan Noor Aishah was presented with the Laurel Leaf Award – its highest honour.
In 2000, the Puan Noor Aishah Awards was established to recognise achievements of outstanding Girl Guides.
“TOUCHED THE LIVES OF MANY”
Puan Noor Aishah proved to be an adept manager who could juggle several tasks at once, and also made her own clothes for events.
“She’s always very, very prompt. She actually manages the time very well,” said Mr Choo.
“She cooks but she knows that things must end at a certain time. She must give herself time to change dress up and to be on time for the next appointment,” he added.
Puan Noor Aishah supported her husband in his official functions both in Singapore and abroad, drawing crowds wherever they appeared.
When Mr Yusof’s health deteriorated during his third term of office, she took his place to present medals for the 1968 National Day awards.
He eventually died of heart failure in 1970.
The following year, Puan Noor Aishah became the first Malay woman to receive an honorary doctorate – a Doctor of Letters degree from the National University of Singapore.
Mr Lee said at the book launch that it was a “daunting task” for her to manage her large household while carrying out official and ceremonial duties.
“She even hired a teacher to teach her English so that she could communicate effectively with Singaporeans and foreign dignitaries,” he noted.
“But Puan Noor Aishah made all these appear effortless with her grace and poise, and she touched the lives of many with her quiet determination, humility and charm.”
