Mary Chow passed away peacefully on June 4, 2012 after suffering a stroke. Mourning her loss are her children, Tina-Lynn Chau (Ron), Marilyn (Mike Fox), Ross (Kathy Semple), and Lauralyn (Mike Sword)–semicolon– and her grandchildren, David Chau, Sarah Fox, Duncan and Emily Chow. She was predeceased by her daughter, Jocelyn in 1965, husband, Sam in 1990, and grandson, Robert Chau in 1999. She is also survived by her sister, Alice Louie-Byne, and brother, Kay Quon (Jeannie) and numerous nieces and nephews.
Born in Calgary on June 26, 1926, Mary was a cheerful giver – a kind-hearted soul who loved a good laugh. She loved her family, especially her beloved grandchildren, and her church family, having faithfully served at the Edmonton Chinese United Church since marrying Sam in 1950. A cancer survivor and a lifelong learner, at the time of her passing, Mary was an avid gardener, a Tai Chi enthusiast, a member of the Orchid Society of Alberta, a lifetime member of the Orchid Species Preservation Foundation, a member of the Chinese Seniors Recreation Society, and a long standing member of the Wild Rose Ramblers walking group.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 8, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at Connelly-McKinley Funeral Home, 10011 – 114 Street, Edmonton, with Rev. Peter Lim officiating. Memorial donations may be made to the Cross Cancer Institute or the University Hospital Foundation. The family would like to thank the dedicated staff on Unit 4A2 of the U of A Hospital for the excellent care Mary received after her stroke.
Brenda Lee says
I am so sorry to hear about your mother\’s death, not so much for her, because she has lived a long and rewarding life, and, I think, a happy one, particularly due to you, her children and grandchildren, but for we who will never get a chance to talk to her and hug her again.
Aunty Mary gave me all the love and care that a mother should give, without which it would have been impossible to endure my desolate childhood. It was from her that I learned how a mother could be and she was a model for me when I became a mother myself. When I was about eleven years old and Marilyn was just born, she invited me to come and live with your family, but I felt bound by duty to stay with my family, even though they rejected and exploited me for being a girl, since I was doing most of the heavy work. How different my life could have been had I been able to accept her kindness. I don\’t think there is anybody who knows her who has not been touched by her warmth and generosity of heart and I have never met anyone with more patience. She could never say a bad word about anybody.
Even after I got married in Edmonton, she was our only family there and we enjoyed visits, yummy home-cooked meals and picnics with you kids and shared babysitting during the four years we lived there before moving to Montreal, soon after which you all came out to visit for Expo 67. What fun we had then! The only big reunion out family ever had.
I have only made the occasional phone call to her in recent years, but we both enjoyed them greatly and I shall miss them so much.
I hope that you will all be supported through this time of immense sadness by happy memories of the times you spent together, and I hope that the bigger family, including us will have occasions to keep in touch and maybe get together in the future.
Sherry Cormier says
Marilyn and family,
My sympathy on the loss of your mother. Ralph\’s and my thoughts are with you.
Sherry Cormier
Shun and Nancy Kwong says
Our sympathy to you and your family for your loss. We met Mary at the Edmonton Chinese United Church. She was very funny, always telling us jokes. She was also very helpful at functions, lending a hand wherever she could. She loved planting the flowers in the garden in front of the church. She was very caring to everyone, especially to others around her. We will miss her smile. Shun and Nancy Kwong