'A remarkable educator': Former Yusof Ishak Sec School principal passes away aged 59

Tributes have poured in for former Yusof Ishak Secondary School principal Maureen Lee, who passed away on Aug. 18.

She was 59.

Tributes for Lee

Lee served as the principal for Yusof Ishak Secondary School from 2018 to 2024, the school wrote in a Facebook tribute on Aug. 18.

The school described Lee as a "bold and visionary educator" who led with inspiring leadership, and whose heart "embraced staff, students, parents and the wider community".

Lee was also instrumental in leading the shift of the school campus from Bukit Batok to Punggol, and laying the foundations at the new campus, the school said.

Kranji Secondary School, where Lee served as a principal from 2005 to 2010, described her as "a dedicated leader and mentor" who inspired generations of students.

"Her legacy lives on in our hearts," the school wrote.

Minister for Defence and Minister-in-charge of Public Service Chan Chun Sing, who was formerly Minister for Education, also wrote in an Aug. 19 post that "we lost a remarkable educator yesterday".

Chan said he was fortunate to have met Lee when she was serving as principal and got to "witness her impact firsthand".

Lee led with compassion, vision, and deep care for her students and colleagues, Chan added.

Punggol GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Sun Xueling also paid tribute to Lee's legacy in a post.

"I still remember the huge effort she made to bring the Punggol community into Yusof Ishak Secondary School and how she also encouraged her students to do good in the Punggol Community," Sun recalled.

She added that Lee would share the vegetables her students had planted with the needy in Punggol, as well as encourage her students to do house visits to raise awareness on upcycling.

"You have been a light to the lives of your students, a beacon of hope for those lost and looking for a path. This light you have shone on the Punggol community will continue to burn bright, through the many lives you have touched."

Lee's journey

Lee, who started her journey as a teacher, was previously principal at Kranji Secondary School and Anglican High School before being appointed as principal at Yusof Ishak Secondary School in end-2017, CNA reported.

At Yusof Ishak Secondary School, Lee notably started an initiative called "Dear Mdm Lee" where she invited students to pen letters to her, to which she would respond with handwritten replies.

Lee is survived by her husband, Michael Saw, who was himself a former principal of Edgefield Primary School.

Her wake will be held on Aug. 19 and 20, according to an obituary seen by Mothership.

Top image from Yusof Ishak Secondary School/Facebook & Sun Xueling/Facebook