Since Wednesday, Singapore netizens have been mourning the passing of an elderly woman usually spotted along Orchard Road - at a traffic light near Mandarin Gallery - selling packets of tissue, instant coffee and instant noodles, among others.



“She is in a better place. My heart is saddened knowing we as a society failed her when all around us are trappings and flaunting of wealth, yet no concrete help was rendered for one of Singapore's daughters. She deserved better. RIP dear lady,” said an Olwen Buddig Thomas on a Facebook post shared by local charity initiative group Project Awareness.



“Sad to hear. Although Orchard Road is a world class shopping district, I believe heaven will be a much better place for her she is so hardworking and dignified (sic). May she rest in peace and be well taken care of by God and His angels,” said a Bryant Keagan Luo on the same post.



The news of her death broke the hearts of many after it was announced by a Tere Han on his Facebook page.



Han, a 23-year-old currently working in the navy, posted on Wednesday at 12:06 am that the woman had passed away at Singapore General Hospital.



Han, who came to know the woman just a week before her death, added that the woman had no family members, and that she was surrounded by a few of her church friends before her passing at the hospital.



He also shared that the government had helped her with “daily necessities” and that the things she sold were daily rations given to her.



Over the past few years, the government had also waived the fees to her store, which was illegal, and helped to sort out her medical bills, according to Han.







Based on an eye-opening blogpost by Melbourne-based blogger Diane about her chat with the “cheerful” woman a year ago, she discovered that the lady was 83 years old at the time.



News of her death had also rekindled memories among netizens who bought things and donated money to her.



“I used to buy stuff from her. I once chatted with her to get to know her a lil better (sic). She had to sell things she was given by organisations in exchange for cash. She had things ranging from sugar to laundry detergents which she don't need (sic),” said a Jason Kung.



“I bought a small pack of Milo from her. I handed her two bucks and don't intend to get any change back but she demanded four bucks from me. Nonetheless, I still gave it to her,” said a Lian Rui.



The Facebook post shared by Project Awareness has garnered over 1,000 Likes, over 600 shares and close to 200 comments.































































View photos Photo of Cineleisure Auntie taken a week before her death. (Tere Han) More