Mother’s death inspires compassion

HAPPIER TIMES-The Tedjasaputra family clockwise from the father, Jimmy, at right: Shawn, 7; Nicole, 3; Kelly, the mother; James, 10; and Vincent, 14. Kelly died last week after battling cancer.

Friends and family both here and around the world mourned the loss of Kelly Tedjasaputra, a 42-year-old Oak Park woman who died last week from a rare form of liver cancer.

Tedjasaputra, a native of Indonesia, leaves behind three young sons and a daughter. Her husband, Jimmy, also is Indonesian.

More than 500 people attended a bilingual vigil and memorial service Sunday evening at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church in Oak Park, the family’s church. The two-and-a-half-hour event featured songs by an Indonesian choir.

Burial services were Monday at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village. Reading the liturgy were Father Raymundus Bhea Wea of Indonesia and Monsignor Peter O’Reilly of St. Maximilian.

Kelly had sung in the St. Maximilian choir for the past three years.

A show of support for the grieving family came quickly from all corners of the community, even around the globe.

"This lady has been touched by the people of this community, not just the parishioners," said Aggie Winston, a St. Maximilian member who is leading fundraising efforts to help the family meet expenses.

Medical bills and other costs mounted as Kelly’s husband became ill himself and was forced to continue work as a computer software consultant out of his home, according to Winston.

Kelly was diagnosed with cancer last year, and even as the disease spread to different parts of her body, she tried to remain at home with her family as much as possible.

"Kelly was a tough survivor, even though a very gentle person," Winston said.

Weakened by chemotherapy, Kelly still managed to attend the dedication of the new St. Maximilian Church last March.

"They were the most optimistic people," Winston said. "The Indonesian culture reminds me of the Hawaiian culture. They have an innate spirituality about them to begin with. They were very hopeful about the chemotherapy."

Kelly completed her treatments in August, but by September, her prognosis was not good. She returned to Tarzana-Encinco Medical Center where she died Oct. 18.

Winston formed "Kelly’s Angels" at the church, a support group for the Tedjasaputra family.

"Angels" such as Mary Kay Davis started a prayer group with other churches in the area and Pat Gerken coordinated an effort to bring food to the family each day. Char Stitzer organized volunteers to take care of transportation needs for Jimmy and the four children.

"The church and the whole community has meant so much to them," Winston said.

Even though Kelly was very sick, she was aware of the love that was shown to her and was thankful for the outpouring, Winston said.

Support also came from the Westminster Presbyterian Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, area businesses and Brookside Elementary School in Oak Park, where one of the children attends.

Vincent Tedjasaputra, a 14-year-old freshman at Oak Park High School and member of the football team, received comfort from the school’s peer counseling group.

Vincent’s younger siblings are James, 10, Shawn, 7, and Nicole, 3.

A bank account for the family has been set up at City National Bank in Westlake Village. Donations can be made to the Tedjasaputra family, City National Bank, 26555 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village, CA 91361.

Winston said $13,000 has been raised in less than a month.

"The Indonesian community ran their story on the World Wide Web, that’s why funding is coming from all over the world," said Cathryn Tortell, the director of music at St. Maximilian.

"There were hundreds of e-mails from all walks of life, all different nationalities," Tortell said. "It has crossed all religious boundaries and all cultural lines as well."

Tortell said the Tedjasaputras moved to Oak Park from the San Fernando Valley after their home was destroyed in the 1994 earthquake.

For further information about assisting the Tedjasaputra family, call (805) 373-1440, or contact Aggie Winston at pawins@gte.net.