Ms Linda Koh’s six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter had been asking their grandparents for her.
When they were told on Thursday night that their mother had died, they at first refused to believe it.
But when they finally realised their mother was gone, at her wake yesterday, they were inconsolable.
Ms Koh, 36, was found unconscious in her hotel room while on a business trip to Hong Kong last Saturday.
She was taken to the Queen Mary Hospital there but died soon after, reported Shin Min Daily News.
Ms Koh was the managing director of family-run local business KSP Marketing, which specialises in processing pork and other frozen meat products.
The divorcee, who was a successful and respected businesswoman, was a third-generation boss of the family business.
Photo GallerySingapore businesswoman found dead in Hong Kong hotel room
On the night of her death, Ms Koh’s younger brother and her ex-husband flew to Hong Kong.
They returned to Singapore on Thursday night with her body.
A preliminary autopsy report said Ms Koh had suffered a stroke.
Her father, Mr Alan Koh, 74, had earlier told Shin Min that his eldest daughter had a history of hypertension but had seen a doctor and was taking medication.
The family is now waiting for the full findings of the report to be out, which may take months or up to a year.
Speaking to The New Paper yesterday at Woodlands Street 11, Block 169, where the three-day wake is held, Ms Koh’s mother, Madam Ng Ah Moi, said: “The little ones still can’t believe she is gone. I don’t know if they fully understand what is happening.”
“Every time I talk about my daughter, my heart breaks.
“We’re all so tired,” she added, before declining to comment further.
Ms Koh’s wake spanned three void decks and the corridors were lined with numerous wreaths and blankets from her friends, family and work associates.
Her paternal uncle, Mr Henry Koh, 69, said: “It’s a testament to how well-loved she was.
“She was a good daughter, mother, and businesswoman.
“Her parents expect many friends and business associates to turn up.”
He added, teary-eyed: “She will always be remembered fondly. She was too young to die.”
Shin Min reported that Ms Koh had flown to Hong Kong last Wednesday for work and was due to return home on Saturday night.
However, that morning, she was found unconscious in her hotel room after having breakfast with friends.
Her ex-husband Louis Ang, 38, an architect, was at the wake, but declined to speak to media.
Exhausted
His childhood friend, Ms Irenea Khoo, 38, said he was exhausted after having spent the past few days settling funeral affairs.
“The family is in a vulnerable place right now. Her (Ms Koh’s) mother collapsed this morning, and he (Mr Ang) is very emotional,” she said.
Ms Khoo, a sales executive at food supplier Angliss, also said Ms Koh was respected and well-known in the food and beverage industry as she always went the extra mile to serve customers, clients and colleagues.
“She was a wonderful woman, very sincere and hands-on. The industry has lost a wonderful person,” she said.
Ms Khoo also said Mr Ang will take over the responsibility of caring for the two children with the help of Ms Koh’s parents.
This article was first published on Nov 19, 2016.
Get The New Paper for more stories.
