LEE, Siu Ka (Kaka)

[nzbc]

Babette McCalman
13/06/2023


Kaka you will be missed by all who knew you. You are a fantastic team member at Wellington North Badminton. An amazing role model to the younger players and a caring and generous person who loved badminton. We love you Kaka.



Karen
13/06/2023


While I haven't known for Kaka long, she definitely made an impression on me with her love for board games and her welcoming nature.

I was looking forward to more time with Kaka as we had plans to hang out more in the future. You will be missed by the Wellington gaming community and I'm sure by the folks over at Callaghan Innovation (we had a bit of over lap as colleagues too!).

Rolling the dice for you one last time, friend.



Simon Hinkley
13/06/2023


Such a dreadful shock to know you won't be charging about in the lab not a 100 yards away, energetically tackling the next calamity and always ready with a smile and super-bouncy approach to, well, just life in general.

All our thoughts and condolences to family and friends from the Jackson Street Challenge team. I'm not sure what we will do now without your insider eatery knowledge and boundless enthusiasm for food and good company.



Karen & Henry
13/06/2023


Dear Kaka,

Your life was a blessing, thank you for all the happy moments you had brought to this world. You will be missed. Deepest condolences to the family.



Adrianne Pollock
12/06/2023


My deepest condolences and much love to all who knew Kaka and mourn her passing.

Here is an anecdote from Wellycon: My earliest memory of Kaka is playing Pandemic Survivor at Wellycon. I drew the card Riyadh, and completely mangled the pronunciation. Kaka helped me. This happened numerous times over the game, with me messing up, and Kaka (and others) helping me say it correctly. By the end of the game I could say it. Ree-ard, or some such approximation…
Kaka went on to take over the running of this experience and did it with such enthusiasm, skill and glee. She celebrated people’s successes in the game, and was positively gleeful when outbreaks occurred. She put in the effort to make the experience really special. Kaka got into character, wearing a lab coat, and even devised her own scenarios to raise the stakes for all the players. It won’t be the same without her.

Her contributions to Wellycon and our gaming community were many, and I am endlessly grateful for her support of Wellycon over the years. She was delightful to play with, so enthusiastic, joyful and giving. She’s taught many a game, helped many a player and was this year’s recipient of the Most Valuable Volunteer award.

I feel so blessed to have known Kaka, and will remember her as a vibrant, joyous, welcoming, generous and kind hearted friend who I will miss dearly.

[nzbc]

Ceedee Doyle
12/06/2023


It is a testament to Kaka's infectious laugh and caring for others that she has obviously made so many friends at Wellycon. An invaluable help, a safe pair of hands for anything that needed someone who could handle 'it', Kaka took on more and more over the years. 2017 is the first picture I could find of her, playing in the thick of it, which goes to show she was a big part of the community for over 5 years now. Kaka contributed hugely to the welcome environment, setting the tone with her open way of being and readiness to lend a hand.

She was endlessly patient, positive and caring about others. She always made me feel like she'd be a great friend, from the first time i met her. I was always happy to play anything with her and will miss her happy smile and understanding. I couldn't put it better than Deb(zeb) - we could all do to be a bit more like Kaka.

I'm sure she's suggesting the saints & the ancestors take a little time to play something right now, she'll teach. Happy Gaming Kaka!



VK Low
12/06/2023


RIP Kaka
Your smiles will be missed many.



Sally C
11/06/2023


Kaka, thank you for teaching me project L. Our one & only game, together. You leave behind a memory as a kind, cool and fun person. In such a short time you made a very big impression. Will miss you. RIP and fly high my friend ❤



Shannon Digby
11/06/2023


I only got to hang out with Kaka through boardgaming 2-3 times before we left New Zealand in early 2020. My husband Rob probably got to much more than that, but she was SUCH a cool person and so much fun to hang out with and play against! She was literally awesome with every single person she met. So open-minded and a joyful addition to anything and everything. Her defining characteristics: she spoke super fast, she was so intelligent, interesting, funny, plus interested in those around her and she really listened and empathised with others too. She was always quick to smile and chuckle or outright belly laugh. She was just as cool with our kids as she was with us and really patient when teaching new games to any of us. We liked each other instantly.
I imagine her sudden departure so young is such a shock to so many. Life - death is so unfair and doesn‘t discriminate but Kaka brought so much joy to everything. I hope we all can let her inspiration live on in us: Kaka stayed open-minded and lived her life with joy to spread around.
My condolences and best wishes to her whānau and all who are grieving her.

[nzbc]

Julia Schiller
11/06/2023


I am so terribly shocked and saddened to hear that Kaka has passed away.
I met Kaka at Wellycon some years ago and she was one of the people I looked forward to seeing there every year. The event certainly won't be the same without her enthusiasm and infectious smile.
My sincerest condolences to her family. Such a loss and so unfair for her to go so young.
We won't forget her.
Julia Schiller



Jennifer Hardiman
11/06/2023


Ohhh Kaka - what a shock to find out about your passing. I will miss your cheery face, your ability to talk 19 to the dozen, your enthusiasm for just about everything but especially boardgames. Such a patient teacher! I'm glad I got to talk to you a few times at the recent Wellycon and will always remember our last conversation on Sunday night - just a week ago.
To Kaka's family: it must have been such a shock and so unbelievable to lose Kaka so young, with so much before her. My heart goes out to you.
"To live in the hearts of those we love, is not to die."



Berit
11/06/2023


A smiling face, an immense power and a voice that fills the room. This is how I remember Kaka. The short time I spent with her were filled with joy and laughter. Her death touches me deeply, but this image of her will be stuck in my heart



Alex Miller
11/06/2023


Kaka was the kindest, most generous person I have ever had the honour to call my friend. When my life got busy, she’d come round with cake or send another message, she never forgot to keep in touch. She meant the world to me and truly was my best friend. From meeting at badminton in 2012, our friendship grew into one filled with laughter, joy, games and delicious food. One of the many things I loved about her was how she accepted everyone for who they are. I miss her more than words can convey, and will carry her memory with me forever.



Zach Sim
10/06/2023


You will be greatly missed Kaka.

It's been great getting to know you since my first wellycon several years ago.
I'm unsure exactly how many games we ended up playing and talking about over the years.
Thanks for your tips and tricks at the arcade, and your recent tv show recommendations.

Many condolences to Daniel & Betty, and wider family.
While there are no words or quick fixes to the pain of losing such a special person so young.
Please remember all the good times and experiences you've all had together.

[nzbc]

Gladys Li
10/06/2023


Still remember we chatted and laughed in family gatherings in Hong Kong not long ago. Sorry not able to come to New Zealand for your service. Miss you Kaka my lovely niece. RIP.



Jennifer Yap
10/06/2023


RIP Kaka. Thank you always for your kind and supportive advice for my son over the last few years. You will be missed at badminton hall 😢



Deb Potter
10/06/2023


My heart goes out to you Daniel,Betty and whanau at the loss of your wonderful Kaka, as I knew her.

Last Saturday weekend she was her usual sunny person at Wellycon - one of the best Wellycons ever. She won the memorial best volunteer award named for another lovely boardgamer, Nigel. So well deserved. She ran a tournament on Saturday morning, did lots of other things making people welcome and included and at the end of the day ran the late night session. We had a terrific night. She was cracking jokes, enjoying games, thinking of others as usual. The next morning she told me: why sleep when you could be boardgaming!

When you play games with people you get to know them. I know that Kaka was a person of huge positivity and generosity. That she really did play well with others. I imagine she would have been awesome to work with as a colleague. I have known Kaka for a few years, initially meeting her at mini-Wellycon where she taught me a game. It's a cool game I went on to own and I've written inside it: Kaka, one of the best players in life, taught me this game.

My friends and I will not forget Kaka, and personally I will try to be a little more like her.
Deb (Zeb) Potter



Clio Chiu
10/06/2023


During our university days, I had the privilege of meeting Kaka while we were at a summer job. Kaka always had a radiant presence and her optimism naturally brightened up any room, and left smiles on the faces of those fortunate enough to be near her. Condolences to Kaka's family and loved ones. Rest in peace, dear Kaka, your kindness, brilliance and optimism will not be forgotten.

[nzbc]

Ujitha Galappaththige
10/06/2023


I can't believe it Kaka,

I'll miss you so much. It was absolutely wonderful knowing you for the last 17 years. From our first meeting at uni in a chem lab to now your friendship and caring nature have meant to world to me. I loved catching up with you over boardgames or dinner and I'm so sad that you're gone, and I'll miss you always.

Uji



MB Scott-Weekly
10/06/2023


Such a huge loss Kaka - we did not know you so well but over the last three years you have been such a wonderful person to get to know at Wellycon and we have enjoyed gaming, joking, and chatting with you. You were so welcoming, generous, and kind - and I know so many people will feel this loss deeply. Sending love to all your family and friends at this time, you are a shining light and gone far too soon.



Belinda Ti.u
10/06/2023


Sincere condolences to Daniel,Betty and family.
Kaka was a wonderful neighbour who welcomed us to the community just over a year ago. We shared the Christmas festivities with the outdoor lights last year. It was so magical and fun. Jess and I are sending you all best wishes, support and love in the coming day, weeks and forever to help you through Kakas passing.❤



Rhiannon McKinstry
10/06/2023


We will remember your always cheerful face at the board game table, going above and beyond in sharing your enthusiasm for games with everyone. Thank you for sharing and caring. Thank you for teaching and learning and giving. We have lost you, but I am sure you have won a high score in the Game of Life.



Axl Scott
9/06/2023


Thanks for all the magical and awesome memories. It’s been an honour knowing you and considering you a friend. Your smile always lit up a room. I pray you show the angels how to really board game 😎



Daniel & Betty Lee
9/06/2023


Thanks for all the joy you brought to us during this 36 years.