SEREMBAN, May 22 — Close family and friends of Sister Juliana Lim, 69, who died after being attacked in a robbery last week, came together to grieve and pray for her at the Visitation Catholic Centre in Jalan Lee Sam.

Her family, members of her congregation and church leaders paid their last respects to the woman who devoted her life in the service of God from a young girl.

Church of the Visitation Parish priest Gregory Chan said sister Lim was a giving and selfless person.

“She lived a joyful and fulfilled life in service of the Lord and to His people.

Advertisement

She was a good and humble teacher who worked in many impoverished places in Seremban, educating the underprivileged,” he said at her wake yesterday.

Julianna, who had been on life-support machines after being struck on the head with a helmet in the Church of the Visitation compound along Jalan Yam Tuan on May 14, succumbed to her injuries at 3.25pm at Tuanku Ja’afar Hospital (TJH) yesterday.

Chan said Juliana was a loving person who won the hearts of many.

Advertisement

“I give thanks to God for her services and dedication as she has touched many hearts and changed many lives,” he said.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who was present at the wake, conveyed his condolences to Juliana’s family members.

“This incident shocks the nation. This goes to show how serious the crime situation is here in the country,” he said.

He said DAP would raise funds to build a police watch booth within the church vicinity to ensure security is upheld.

“This will serve as the best way to remember Sister Julianna,” he said. 

Lim said parishioners who attend mass at the church are at risk of being victims of snatch theft and robbery.

“The authorities must take measures to ensure such an incident never occurs again,” he said.

Lim also said it was believed Sister Julianna was trying to protect her fellow nun, Sister Marie-Rose Teng from the attackers before falling as the victim.

“I admire Sister Julianna for her sacrifice, may she rest in peace,” he said.

Following her religious calling, Julianna joined the convent novitiate in 1964 and became a nun eight years later. 

She served as a teacher from 1968, teaching at convent schools in Alor Star, Batu Pahat and Malacca until her retirement in 2000, after which she became a non-formal teacher at Gajah Berang, Sentul, Port Dickson and Seremban.

Another wake service will be held at the Visitation Centre from 8pm today.

The funeral service will be held at Church of the Visitation tomorrow at 1pm before burial at Sikamat Seremban Christian cemetery.