Tri Astuti was a caring soul, a hard worker, and a devoted wife throughout her life. She died of COVID-19 on Feb. 1, 2021 at the age of 72. Her family and friends share their memories of the person they call their “support system”.

Everyone's support system

"I've been with her for 54 years. To move on with life without her is unthinkable to me. I always cry whenever I hear her name," Prof. DR. Dr. Sanarto, Astuti’s husband, shared with The Jakarta Post. The couple met during the final year of their junior high school years.

In both her personal and her professional life, Astuti was always the smart one, but she was also selfless. Halfway through her study of English literature at the State University of Malang, she decided to cease her studies in order to work and support her husband, who was studying.

"She told me that I should continue my studies in the field of medicine as she pursued [work]. Because both of us are not from affluent families, I had to also work [while studying] and she also helped with my tuition back then," Sanarto told the Post.

Even though she did not continue her higher education, Astuti did not stop digging into the things she was passionate about. Sanarto remembers his wife as “always being curious about everything.”

“I remember that she used to come to my house to learn how to cook, how to master embroidery and other things," Sanarto reminisced. He also added that Astuti was always independent, having to look out for herself financially after her father retired young. As a young couple, Astuti and Sanarto set up a small food kiosk to support their lives early on.

Her son Wahyu Aditya, who works as an animator, said he admired his mother’s perseverance. "My mother is a versatile person. Even though she did not finish her higher education degree, she was able to realize what was on her mind. I consider her a role model because I learned so many things from her."

Tri Astuti (second left) poses with her husband, Prof. DR.Dr. Sanarto (left), and former manpower and transmigration minister Sudomo. (Personal Collection/Courtesy of Wahyu Aditya) (Personal collection/Courtesy of Wahyu Aditya and Tri Astuti family)

Entrepreneur at heart

Astuti was an entrepreneur at heart. "She always knew what she wanted. If she had a goal in mind, she would keep trying until she reached that goal," Aditya said.

Astuti's entrepreneurship journey was extensive. She established an English course in Malang, East Java, called Trinata English in 1972 (the name is a combination of Tri and Sanarto’s names). At its peak, the school had more than 800 students and its own school bus.

"She always has these amazing ideas inside her head because we were the first English course back then," Sanarto said.

In 1985, she started another project – a training center for Indonesian migrant workers. During a meeting with then-manpower and transmigration minister Sudomo, Astuti expressed her opinion about how many Indonesian migrant workers were repatriated and even tortured. Therefore, Astuti suggested providing these workers with training, such as cooking and basic language lessons.

"No one but Astuti dared talk to the manpower minister. Indeed, since the training center opened, Indonesian migrant workers from East Java have rarely been repatriated." Astuti’s work did not end with the training center. Astuti also proposed that Indonesian migrant workers be sent to Hong Kong. Her center has sent more than 10,000 Indonesian migrants to Hong Kong.

Her contribution to preparing migrant workers to work abroad was met with appreciation from the government. Astuti and her husband were invited to the State Palace to receive an award from then-manpower and transmigration minister Alhilal Hamdi. Her work is now passed down to her other son, Karnaka. Under him, the center has developed into a bigger recruitment company, placing skilled Indonesian workers in different sectors, from engineering to trading, hospitality and air transportation, with workers from various countries around the globe, from New Zealand to Canada. The company is now oriented toward improving work qualification for skilled positions in countries such as Canada and European countries.  

Strong network: Tri Astuti meets President Suharto. (Personal Collection/Courtesy of Wahyu Aditya) (Personal collection/Courtesy of Wahyu Aditya and Tri Astuti family)

Business was not her sole interest. Astuti was also active in various organizations. Because her husband is a doctor, Astuti was part of the Indonesian Doctor's Wives Association (IIDI), serving as its chairwoman from 1997 to 2003.

"She loved helping and sharing with others. She wasn't a half-hearted person. She always thought about improving the IIDI community," Sanarto said.

Upon retirement, Astuti still maintained relationships with IIDI members by participating in social activities.

Loving mother

Aside from being a successful entrepreneur, Astuti was also known as a caring soul.

"When it came to training the migrant workers, she showed no compromise. She wanted them to be prepared mentally. However, I do not recall her being unreasonable with anyone, including her children," recalls Aditya.

"I remember how my mother and father built her office in their own house to make it easier to start working early in the morning. I admire them for that,” Aditya shared. “This inspired me to start [the animation studio] HelloMotion with my girlfriend who has now become my wife."

Astuti is survived by her husband, sons and her five grandchildren.