Family and friends pour hearts out for the ever-loving Abby

Abby Choi handled her family relationships well before the alleged property dispute, with her family praising her as a kind woman and a responsible mother who left four children, including two with her ex-husband.

Her second husband, Chris Tam, said he was grateful that Choi came into his life, while her parents-in-law treated her like their own daughter, a friend of the model said.

Choi came from a wealthy family and her mother is a businesswoman in the mainland.

Sources said Choi's parents-in-law and the family of her ex-husband Alex Kwong had gatherings before and visited Tsz Shan Monastery together during the Lunar New Year holidays.

Choi's father-in-law, Tam Chuk-kwan, founder of chain restaurant TamJai Yunnan Mixian, also had a good relationship with her . He once told others: "I don't treat Abby as my daughter-in-law, she is like my daughter."

A friend of Choi's said she was nice and friendly to helpers and drivers.

Choi was also polite and respectful to her family members. She would take her mother-in-law to dine out and send her gifts on Mother's Day and her birthday every year.

Choi's husband, Chris, cried after learning of her death, sources said. He initially thought Choi was only kidnapped.

"She was a kind-hearted person who always wanted to help others and she had always supported and loved me," Chris said. "People who become family members and friends with her are blessed."

Chris has promised to take care of Choi's four children, including two with her ex-husband who are currently with Choi's mother. Choi often brought her children with ex-husband to her Kowloon Tong residence and let them play with her other two children with Chris. The four kids also went to Disneyland together.

Choi was also the cofounder of Paomes Charitable Organization - for stray animals - her friend said.

The friend said Choi was a caring person and once saved a severely injured cat that was hit by a car and already covered with flies.

"I thought we could not save the cat, but Abby insisted on doing so and the cat eventually survived, which is like a miracle," she said.

The organization said in a Facebook post that Choi had donated money and contributed to the charity.

"You had always helped animals and you were a loving and kind person. Please rest in peace and we will carry on your legacy," it said.

Another friend of Choi's, ex-singer Bernard Cheng Hei-chung, said Choi met her first husband at the age of 15 and got married at 18. Although they divorced three years later, Choi promised to take care of Kwong's family.

Cheng said she bought the luxury property at Kadoorie Hill when she married Kwong. Choi also gave her ex-family more than HK$1 million to start an egg waffle business and said "it doesn't matter" after the business failed.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com