“She grew up here, she ended her life here, she’s a local-bred person,” she said. “If fans come to Hong Kong, they have nothing to remember her by. It is so sad we have to wait until she ends her life to qualify her, that’s quite upsetting.

“I don’t know if it can happen, but I do think this is something Hong Kong should do for her. It would be a shame if she is not part of it.”

Her husband, Canadian billionaire Bruce Rockowitz, said Lee was a “beautiful person inside and out” and who was “warm and kind” in an obituary published on Thursday.

“She was an all-rounder singer-songwriter, a talented performer, a caring mentor to the younger generation, a loving wife, a beloved friend and a dear family member,” he wrote. “Her enthusiasm and sincerity bring sunshine to everyone around her. She will be deeply missed by the many lives she touched. Her influence and radiance will last forever.”

The couple married in 2011 in a lavish ceremony attended by Hollywood stars.

They did not have children of their own, but Lee spoke lovingly of her husband’s two daughters from a previous marriage.

But shortly before her death, Lee moved to Hong Kong’s Four Seasons Hotel, then stayed with her sister on The Peak, one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods.

Hong Kong diva Coco Lee dies; ‘her rays of light will last forever,’ sisters say

Further details have emerged about Lee’s final days. Lily Pang, a childhood friend, said she had dinner with Lee and her family last Saturday.

“We went to her sister’s home where we chatted and sang karaoke. Coco was emotionally stable that night and had her sisters and mother taking care of her,” she said.

“I am unable to accept that she would do this. I still cannot accept it because she was so successful, hardworking and had a family that loves her so much. Why does she have to leave us at such a young age?”

Lee posted a 40-second voice message on Sunday to her mainland Chinese fans thanking them for their love and support, one of her fan clubs said.

“This is Coco. I feel the love and support you all have for me,” she said. “You guys are my support and I will press on … I miss everyone terribly and I will work very very hard. I miss all of you and I love you guys.”

A police spokesman said a maid from a home on Barker Road on The Peak called for help at 3.30pm on Sunday, saying a woman surnamed Lee and aged 48 would need an ambulance after an attempted suicide.

Lee was taken unconscious to Queen Mary Hospital in Pok Fu Lam. A source close to the hospital said she was already in critical condition when she arrived and was admitted to the intensive care unit.

As she did not die of natural causes, an autopsy could be performed, her sister, who is still waiting for instructions from the Coroner’s Office, said.

Lee’s sister said the star was diagnosed with breast cancer and had undergone surgery to remove a tumour last year.

News of Lee’s death triggered an outpouring of grief around the world, with many fans remembering her performance of “A Love Before Time”, from Ang Lee’s smash hit film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at the Oscars in 2001. She was the first singer of Chinese ethnicity to perform at the Academy Awards.

The Taiwan-born film director recalled Lee’s professionalism, writing on social media: “She told me that she is the first person of Asian descent to sing on the Oscars stage, so she must sing with all her might.”

The moment also stood out for Lily Pang, who said: “I remember watching her live performance on the Oscar stage, seeing her wear a red qipao and singing on stage. I am very proud of her and moved to tears to be able to see her on screen.”

Cherry Cheung, who was in charge of Lee’s media relations for her wedding in 2011, said Lee was a genuine person who was present for almost every meeting and very hands-on with the details.

Cheung added that the news of Lee’s death was a huge shock.

“I couldn’t hold my tears,” Cheung said on social media. “It was too shocking and sad.”

A look back at Coco Lee: from her first taste of fame to singing at the Oscars

Vivian Pau, a public relations professional who worked with Lee for an event in 2018, said the pop star’s work ethic left a deep impression on her.

“She didn’t have to, but she went the extra mile and printed out the briefing material, made notes and asked questions,” Pau added. “You could tell she was very professional in how she treated every piece of work. She treated everyone with respect.”

Pan You-chu from Taiwan, who has been a fan of Lee since 1995, said he was devastated.

“Like me, her fans were probably attracted to her positivity, and cheerful, authentic personality,” he said.

He added fans from Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia were planning to fly to Hong Kong to attend her memorial service in August.

Lee’s family said they planned to work with Lee’s record label to organise services in the Greater China area.

“She grew up lacking a role model from the Chinese community. She always said: ‘We have so many great people, why aren’t we part of it? So now she’s delighted to see more Chinese people being recognised internationally. She’s very proud to be Chinese,” her sister Nancy Lee said.

“We hope to focus on making her memorial a very happy one. It is how she wants to be remembered, as always, she is a happy angel. So I believe she’s gone to a happier place.”

Additional reporting by Elizabeth Cheung