SHAH ALAM: MORE than a year has passed, yet the memory of the disappearance of MH370 and the downing of MH17 remains fresh in the minds of the crew’s families.
MH17 pilot Captain Wan Amran’s wife Mariam Yusoff is trying to cope with his passing.
“One year has passed and it has never been easy for my family. There has not been a day where my children and I do not miss him.
“Until now, it is difficult for us to talk about it. Our hearts still hurt.
“Like last year, we did not do any preparation for Hari Raya.
“A few days before the festival, my family and I flew to Amsterdam for the memorial service.
“It was so painful but life moves on. My family and I are determined to know who is responsible for the tragedy and we hope the authorities will catch the culprit soon,” she said.
Being a single mother, Mariam said taking care of her children and running errands had not been easy.
Besides getting help from Socso and with the compensation received from MAS, she has been doing some small business to support her family.
MH17 flight attendant Lee Hui Pin’s husband, Wong Kin Wah also shares similar feelings.
“It is hard for us to speak about it. If possible, my family and I try to avoid talking about it because it is so heartbreaking for all of us.
“Life has been different for us. I miss the family reunions with my wife, having dinners and outings during the school break.
“It is hard to lead a life as a single father but then life has to go on,” said the 43-year-old.
He thanked his relatives and in-laws who have been very supportive during his bereavement.
Knowing who is behind the downing of the plane would at least give them some closure, he said.
“We want justice and until today we are waiting for the authorities to update us on the investigation.”
MH370 inflight supervisor Patrick Francis Gomes’s wife Jacquita Gonzales, 53, still remains optimistic that the authorities will find the missing plane.
Gonzales said there would be no closure until the plane is found.
“Though we grieve in silence, we still carry on our daily life.
“I have four children and a 4-year-old grandson. He lives with me.
“After the incident, we have become closely knit with other family members of MH370 victims.
“At least once a month, we try to meet up. Usually, we will go for dinners and gatherings.
“I would like to thank Nufam (National Union of Flight Attendants Malaysia) for being with us since the incident took place,” she said.
The families were attending Nufam’s Hari Raya open house at One Serambi Cafe in Bukit Jelutong, here, yesterday, where family members of the crew of MH17 and MH370 were guests of honour.