By Sisters of St Francis of Sarawak
KUCHING — Miss Egi binti Jamuis, on her clothing day, was given the name ADELAIDE, and since then, she has been named Sr Adelaide Jamuis. A Melanau from Mukah, she joined the Franciscan Sisters of Sarawak at the age of 25.
She was born on 27 June 1954 in Mukah. The Lord called her home on 6 January 2025, at 4.34 am, at the Sarawak General Hospital.
Her encoffin was on 8 January 2025 (Wednesday) at 1.00 pm by Fr Vincent Chin—the rector of St Peter’s Church, at Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan. The Funeral Mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral at 2.00 pm, followed by burial at Catholic Cemetery, 7½ Mile, Kota Sentosa, Kuching were live-streamed especially for the people in Mukah, Miri and Semenanjung Malaysia who were unable to pay their last respects to her physically, so they could participate virtually.
The Mass was presided over by Fr Nicholas Ng (SJC rector delegated by Kuching Archbishop Simon Poh) and concelebrated by four priests. In his homily, Fr Nicholas emphasised the relationship with God in a life of faith. He described it as an invitation to a relationship—one that refers to Jesus’ declaration about His relationship with the Father and for others to join in this relationship.
This suggests that faith is not just a personal journey but a communal invitation to relate with God. It is a dynamic relationship characterised by love, gratitude, and an invitation to deeper communion with God and one another. He added that each individual enters into a loving relationship with the Father through Jesus, reinforcing the personal nature of faith and the importance of individual relations with God.
Sr Adelaide’s life and ministry were significant for several reasons, as highlighted in the homily. She was known for her simplicity, humility, and dedication, which served as a model for faith and discipleship within her community.
Her journey began with her birth in 1954 and her religious formation beginning in 1979. She took her final profession in 1987. Throughout her ministry, she held various roles in different convents and was involved in different ministries, reflecting her dedication to service and love.
Sr Adelaide’s life is portrayed as a testament to living a life of faith, where she consistently aimed to honour and glorify God through her actions and relationships.
The details of Sr Adelaide’s religious formation and service history are as follows:
- Religious Formation: Sir Adelaide began her religious formation in 1979 and made her final profession on 3 December 1987.
Following which she was appointed/assigned to:
- 1979 – 1989 (January): Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan (domestic ministry)
- 1989 (February) – 1992 (January): Nazareth Nursery Convent, Kuching (childcare, domestic ministry)
- 1992 (February) – 1997 (28 February): Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan (domestic ministry)
- 1997 (1 March) – 2011 (14 April): St Anthony’s Convent, Mukah (domestic ministry, in charge of the nursery/childcare)
- 2011 (15 April) – 2013 (28 February): St Rita’s Convent, Bau (domestic ministry)
- 2013 (1 March) – 2019 (7 June): St Cecilia’s Convent, Sri Aman (childcare and domestic ministries)
- 2019 (8 June) – 2019 (31 December): Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan (light domestic ministry—onset of spine problem)
- 2020 (January) – 2021 (March): Cheshire Home, Kuching (hidden domestic ministry)
- 2020 – She began experiencing health issues, specifically a spine problem
- 2021 (March) – 2025 (January): Convent of Mary Immaculate, Padungan (light kitchen ministry)
Sr Adelaide Jamuis was a person of few words. She was patient and uncomplaining though she was in pain.
