YLCO (Yeoh, Lim,Chew & Oh) Families: Chew Gaik Swee’s Final Journey - from Georgetown Penang to Georgetown Maine.

Chew Gaik Swee's final journey - Swee's ashes in a wooden handcarved box from Bali and original photo of Swee

In July this year the ashes of Chew Gaik Swee was scattered in the seas at Georgetown, Maine, USA. Her three children Sophia, Dorothy and Peter were present together with their spouses and grandchildren for her final journey.

It sounded poetic. Chew Gaik Swee was born at Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia and departed from Georgetown, Maine, USA.

All children of Chew Gaik Swee and grandchildren were present. (l/r) Phillip Rogers, Yi Ping Caitlin Roberts (Rogers wife), Sophia Lo (Swee daughter), Yi Wah Roberts (Sophia son), Dorothy Lo DiGioia (Swee daughter), Miriam Kelidar Roberts (Yi Wah wife), Peter Lo (Swee son), Aunt Heng Hong (Peters wife), Theolonius DiGioia (aka Tilo Lisa son), Chan Biddle (child of Yi Wah), Eamon Roberts (child of Yi Wah), Lisa DiGioia (daughter of Dorothy).

Sophia explained her mother died in Bali in 2022 and was cremated. Due to the Covid outbreak Sophia together with her daughter Caitlin and her husband Phillip Rogers finally flew to Bali Indonesia in May 2025 to collect the ashes.

On their return journey they stopped at Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh and Penang to meet with all the relatives. I wanted meet Ignatius and to know more about my grandparent’s history, all the aunts and uncles, etc, and about my mother’s childhood. She was so different and had big dreams so contrary to her siblings.

..in KL with Lynette and family, in Ipoh at YLCO museum

,,in front of former Chew Boon Juan mansion, on Chew Boon Juan road.

..in Penang, Sophia at grave of her grandparents and her dad

with Penang relatives Toni Chew and Moira Khaw and Michael Tan (husband of Angeline Chew)

Mum wanted to visit Maine but never made it. Instead she moved back to Penang then to Bali. Doing business was in her blood, never giving up. Her wish was to have her ashes next to Bill O’Reilly unfortunately Peter could not recall where he was buried.

Phillip Rogers added that they had an incredible family reunion for the Lo’s hosted by Yi Ping Caitlin and me in Portland, Maine. All children of Gaik Swee and many of her grandchildren assembled from northern Virgina, Panama, New York city, and France to enjoy the beauty of summertime in Maine.

We spread Swee’s ashes in Five Islands, Georgetown, Maine. This spot was chosen for several reasons. The area is an island rich place that shares the same name of the old town of Penang where Swee was born. From Georgetown Penang to Georgetown Maine.

..the family meal before the memorial service ...

The area is rich in seafood and is an exceptional area for lobsters, clams and oysters which were shared beforehand at the Five Islands Lobster Shack before the memorial service.