Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood 1940-2005 ven during her last hours, Datin Paduka Seri Endon's thoughts were of the people and her family. "Take care of everybody and the family," she advised her husband Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and family members gathered round her bedside. "I promised her that I would do it," a weeping Rahmah Mahmood, Endon's sister, told The Star. It rained the whole day yesterday as the nation mourned the passing of Endon. Tens of thousands of people - from royalty, presidents, prime ministers to ordinary people - paid their last respects to our Beloved First Lady, sharing their grief with the family at the Prime Minister's residence, the Putrajaya Mosque and the burial ground. Many wept openly at the great loss the nation has suffered. A 28-Page Tribute Endon's last words Take care of everybody >Poignant final farewell > Endon's life and work Headers pay tribute > More stories in Pages 2 to 20 IN PRAYER: Abdullah's family members, relatives and friends praying for Endon at their official residence in Putrajaya yesterday. Thousands of Malaysians alsc paid their last respects after news of her death was announced. Abdullah, who had enjoyed an unabashedly loving and 2 Nation devoted relationship with the late Endon, looked pale and weary with grief. TheStar FRIDAY 21 October 2005 ROYAL GOODBYE: Abdullah speaking with the King and Queen who had come to Sri Perdana to offer their condolences to the family. Condolences from ordinary folks and VIPs PUTRAJAYA: It was a cold and laying out the body and cover- Rosmah Mansor, and former wet day, but the rains had ing it with earth. Premier Tun Dr Mahathir stopped by the time Datin Abdullah, who had enjoyed Mohamad also stood at the Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood an unabashedly loving and graveside as the traditional was laid to rest in the Muslim devoted relationship with the lumps of earth and leafy cemetery at Precinct 20 here late Endon, looked pale and branches were laid around the after asar prayers yesterday. weary with grief. body and talqin prayers recited. The Prime Minister's wife, The couple were known for Thousands of people ranging 64, passed away at 7.55am after holding hands in public and from ordinary folk to royalty a protracted battle with cancer. giving each other affectionate and foreign dignitaries were at The bereft but composed pecks on the cheek. the burial where a blue tent had Prime Minister Datuk Seri And while Endon had not been erected and floor matting Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was been passionate about his poli- laid out around the grave. the first to sprinkle scented tics, she had always been what Many of those who watched water and floral petals over the he called "my No1 supporter". were overwhelmed and wept grave, followed by his son Given that, the Prime openly. Kamaluddin. 38, daughter Nori, Minister showed remarkable Philippines president Gloria 29, their respective spouses and control throughout what must Macapagal Arroyo, clad in a Abdullah's grandchildren. have been one of the saddest black robe with a shawl over The final farewell was a days of his life. her head, and Singapore poignant moment for the close- And as some pointed out, he Foreign Minister George Yeo knit family, for whom Endon has buried two of the most were present at the burial. had always been an anchor fig- important women in his life in The King, Tuanku Syed ure. two years - the other being his Sirajuddin Jamalullail, and the Kamaluddin, barefoot and mother Datuk Kailan Hassan, in Queen, Tuanku Fauziah Abdul clad in a simple white shirt and February last year. Rashid, had paid their respects dark trousers, had managed to Abdullah and Endon had at Abdullah's Sri Perdana resi- hold on to his emotions for celebrated their 40th wedding dence. much of the day but gave way anniversary this year. A Singapore entourage led by to tears at the graveside as his This was the first time that a Prime Minister Lee Hsien sister held on to his arm. First Lady had died while her Loong, which included Abdullah's politician son-in- husband was still in office. President S.R. Nathan, Senior law Khairy Jamaluddin also VIPs including Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, and LAST RITES: Abdullah surrounded by family members scattering rose petals over Endon's grave at startled everyone when he Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun the Putrajaya Muslim Cemetery yesterday. leapt into the grave to assist in Razak. his wife Datin Seri • TURN TO PAGE 3 .