Jean Marshall, social work pioneer and wife of former chief minister David Marshall, dies aged 94

SINGAPORE: Mrs Jean Marshall, a social work pioneer and spouse of the late former chief minister David Marshall, died on Monday (Mar 29).

She was 94.

In a letter to her 4 youngsters - Ruth, Sarah, Joanna and Jonathan - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his condolences, noting Mrs Marshall's contributions to Singapore.

She made "important contributions" to medical social work, together with to the Crimson Cross in Malaya, mentioned Mr Lee. 

She was additionally a volunteer for the Singapore Youngsters's Society's convalescent residence for nearly 20 years.

"Born British, Jean made Singapore her home and contributed much to our society," wrote Mr Lee.

He added that Mrs Marshall was a "devoted companion" to Mr Marshall, whom she married in 1961.

"She was by Mr Marshall's side when he served as Singapore's Ambassador to France, offering warm hospitality to foreigners to introduce them to Singapore, and also to Singaporeans in France so that they would feel less homesick," wrote Mr Lee.

"When I visited Paris in 1989, she also took good care of me. Despite the difference in our aged, we got on well together."

Mr Lee mentioned he had written Mrs Marshall a get effectively be aware when she was hospitalised just a few weeks in the past and was "very happy" that she was effectively sufficient to ship him a reply.

"But now she has left us, and we mourn the loss of one of our pioneer Singapore women," he mentioned.