Goodbye, dear friend: a tribute to Dr Satyawati Hanna

Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Sunday, our friend and coworker Satyawati Hanna (Dr Hanna) passed away. She leaves behind a colorful life of memories!

We had been in Bandung one day when someone called out my name in a clothing outlet store. I'm not much of a shopper - and hearing my name in a shop that Friday was a shock. We'd only been in Jakarta for a month and a half before moving to Bandung. Who knew us?

Alice and a few friends from IES Jakarta were on a shopping trip when they spotted Waldemar and me and said hi. Alice asked where we were living and said I should meet her mom, who lived around the corner from our new address. I thought that would be nice.

2 days later, it's Sunday. We were walking to catch an angkot (public transport van) to church when someone behind us called: "Rosemarie, is that you?" It was a beautiful lady in her early 70s - Hanna, headed for the same English service at the Baptist church downtown. That's how we met.

Our angkot driver took an alternate route while we were chatting so we missed the stop. We climbed out further downtown, hailed a taxi, and eventually got to the service. It was a memorable beginning (even for someone like me who remembers few details.)

I called her "Dr Hanna" over her initial protests. "Just call me Hanna. No one knows me except as the daughter of my famous father, who was a headmaster of an elite school." Many Bandung professionals grew up with Hanna under his supervision. So she knew "everybody" since childhood.

But she was a force of nature in her own right, who earned the honor of a title many time over.

Before she retired, she'd been a distinguished WHO and UNICIF community doctor with a heart for people and their care. We asked if she'd join the fledgling IES Bandung team. 

We didn't know then how well she connected to others or how big her heart was.

"What would I have to contribute?" she asked with surprise. She became our community liaison as an outspoken champion of the disadvantaged. She was brave and adventurous, whether on a hike or in supporting a project.

She connected quickly with team members from Australia, Austria, Uganda, Tanzania, Europe, and Russia. Everyone loved and respected her. She was FUN.

It wasn't long before the name stuck and she became "Dr Hanna" to everyone who met her. 

Many of us said, "You are the busiest elder we know!" as she kept working. And connecting. And recruiting. Her goal was the benefit and health of others. She encouraged young and old to volunteer, set up mentorships for students, and kept track of dozens of young adults at a time. She was their liaison (and ours) for healthcare.

She was a supporter of the arts, whether it was the symphony or an art show.

She never slowed down. "When do you sleep?" I would ask with concern for her own health. Sometimes it was a short night, she admitted, filled with study, writing updates, and drafting fundraising proposals that were passed around her organizations as models.

She earned a stellar reputation through her love for God and others, studying scripture and leading Bible studies. She prayed for her colleagues and co-volunteers and cared when they suffered. She read scripture at IES Bandung and attended faithfully.

She thought the world of her daughters, son-in-law, and grandson and prayed for them every day.

She followed through on her promises. She was well-known for integrity and good works. She spent 10 years as president of Jari, an outstanding charity that advocates for impoverished families and children's health.

She was a careful dresser, stunning us with beautiful clothing from Bangladesh and custom outfits sewn with batiks acquired over the years. At church, I'd look to see what outfit she had chosen - such creativity.

Her home displayed treasures inherited from her family and collected from the places where she worked. When she'd invite you over, you never knew how she would have decorated the house, whether it was Christmas, Imlek (Chinese New Year), or another occasion.

Hundreds were recipients of her warm hospitality and good food in her art-filled home. And she loved to give gifts: food, fabrics, art, and other goodies.

In the almost-decade of our friendship and work together, we watched in awe as her faith grew. She blossomed into a mature disciple of Jesus, shaping her decisions around what would please God and serve others. It was amazing to be a bystander as she transformed into someone we wanted to follow.

DrH, we will miss you. For Waldemar and me, she was a dear friend as well as coworker. She was our trusted cultural monitor. ("Better to say ... than ..." or "when this happens, it means ...") She asked thoughtful questions and gave good advice on every side.

What I will remember from this week of memorials and tributes is the wide reach of one woman. One person devoted to God and the good of others. She was a person who loved and gave herself wholeheartedly, whether you were old or young.

I'll remember the comments and the tears this week. The warm words of young friends she mentored and old friends to whom she remained faithful and connected.

Dr Hanna - you had a unique place on the planet ... and in our hearts.

At the end of his life, Joshua the successor of Moses and leader of Israel said, "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed (Joshua 23:14)."

That is true of our friend as well. She followed her father and mentor into a life of service and blessing. We were recipients of the goodness of God through her. We love you and will never forget you. (Her book club friends put together this bouquet.)

Many other flowers came to the hall.

The entry hall was filled with flower boards.

At least 4 Rotary clubs sent their own tributes, since she'd alternated her service as President and Secretary for many years.

Many from her charity groups came to honor her.

Her friends and church members showed up at the funeral home to on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday.

Young and old came to say thank you - and farewell.

Sunday and Monday, a group from IES Bandung led in singing before W and I invited her friends to share their memories and condolence.

Tuesday at the funeral, the pastor of the Baptist church (where she'd attended before) spoke in Indonesian. He also preached Wednesday before her cremation.

Wednesday, a good group went to the cremation hall, scattering rose petals on her coffin.

We stood beside her one last time before the final goodbye.  Rest in peace, Dr Hanna. Your work is done. And we already miss you so much!

[If you want to know more about Dr Hann's faith and the Savior she loved, please contact me by leaving a comment.]

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*The Lord waits to be gracious to you. Isaiah 30:18

*We believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus. Acts 15:11

Moravian Prayer: Gracious Redeemer, we are humbled by the depth of your love for us. We thank you for your sustaining grace that has safeguarded our salvation. Help us never to take your gracious kindness and compassion for granted. Amen.