Florence Pik Kuin Chin was born on 9th November, 1932 to parents Chin Thin Lee and Ng Tze Foong. Her parents both originated from China where they were married but subsequently settled in Ipoh, Malaysia when her father’s family moved over to join her grandfather who had come over to pursue his business interests. Her father was one of three children by the first wife of the well renowned Chin Sem Lin.
Mother Parent’s Wedding 1924 Father
Florence was one of ten children, with six sisters and three brothers. Schooling did not start until about the age of seven, so her early years were spent in the company of her family and relatives in the family home on Hale Street, Ipoh. Living close to the Kinta River, despite not being allowed to venture away from the house, the children enjoyed sneaking out to catch fish from the river to bring home to keep in a jar and, with the help of their Grandma, attempted to keep the jar hidden from their fathers eyes. The family moved to a much larger property at 32 Tambun Road, with plenty of room to accomodate not only their family but their aunties, uncles and later, cousins too.
Unfortunately the Japanese Occupation from 1942 – 45 forced the entire family to flee their home, initially hiding in the Hot Springs Caves, (as they were respected friends of the Chinese nuns there) and then taking refuge in the jungle, living there til the Japanese departed. Florence can recall some family relatives having to hunt for wild boar to eat whilst others managed to obtain rice and sweet potatoes.
Once the Japanese departed, they returned to the family home to find it more or less as they had left it and undamaged….. with the exception of one thing! To their delight, the Japanese soldiers had left behind a piano and it is as a result of this that Florence’s love of music flourished.
‘The Treasured Piano’
Florence attended the Holy Infant Jesus Convent in Ipoh for the majority of her schooling attending from 1946 til December 1952 passing all her examinations and her school reference describes her as having a ‘sociable disposition and enjoys badminton, hockey and netball’.
Holy Infant Jesus Convent
After leaving the convent, Florence briefly studied at the St Michael’s Institue, Ipoh whilst awaiting her results but this was cut short when she learnt she had successfully gained a place at her chosen university, thus drawing this chapter of her life to a close.
