SINGAPORE: Ker Ah Kim, the owner of the well-loved Long Hwee stationery store in Mei Ling, passed away on 14 August at the age of 78.
News of her death was shared on 15 August by the Facebook page My Community, which thanked her for inspiring Queenstown children to develop a love for books and reading.
The tribute recalled Long Hwee as the first place many children visited for toys, stationery, and books.
It added: “We will always remember your witty banter with the seamstress… your kind reminders to take our lunches and cross the road safely after school… and your soft, sweet smile.”
Ker and her husband, Wee Kak Choo, established the shop in 1968 after relocating from Beauty World. Since then, Long Hwee has become a cornerstone of the community, serving families for decades.
Her wake service took place on 14 August at Block 33A Ghim Moh Link.
In a 2016 interview with The Straits Times, Ker, then aged 69, said she planned to run the shop for two more years.
In 2023, she told Mothership that she “could retire at any time,” reflecting her enduring dedication.
Tributes were also shared on Reddit and through a post on her shopfront.
Many described her as the “photocopy aunty” of their school days, recalling her gentle character and cheerful presence.
Death Kopitiam Singapore described Long Hwee as “a symbol of resilience, dedication, warmth, community spirit and entrepreneurship.”
Residents further remembered the shop’s reasonable prices and nostalgic atmosphere, a reminder of older HDB estate shops.
“Shops like this only exist in older HDB estates. Aunty is v friendly too and the store, while cluttered is well stocked and has a lot of interesting knick knacks, ” a comment on Google Review wrote.
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