Obituary of Lucy Khyun Yin Chong-Lye

Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother Lucy passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, January 17, 2008 at the age of 98 years of age. Lucy was born in the town of Papar, North Borneo (now Sabah), Malaysia and had been a resident of Calgary since 1982. She was the oldest of nine children and was educated at St. Francis Convent in the town of Jesselton (now Kota Kinabalu, Sabah). Lucy was married at 16 to John Lye, a clerk with the then British government John’s job had necessitated her moving twenty-two times and to all corners of Sabah while bringing up her three children. During the Second World War she and her family endured the temporary occupancy of Sabah by the Japanese. Despite the hardship Lucy survived the war years and emerged relatively unscathed. With her entrepreneurial spirit and diplomatic skills she had managed to amass enough money to send her children overseas for further education. In addition to caring for her own family, Lucy was also a surrogate mother to her many nieces and nephews who had lost their fathers when they were very young. Lucy was not only a devoted grandmother, great grandmother, and great-great grandmother, but was also their guardian, mentor, advisor, nurse, chaperon, chef, fan, and confidante. She devoted a good part of her life caring for three generations of children. She helped Florence care for her children until her last days. On the eve of her departure, we witnessed and shared the joy of her playing with her great-great grandson, Jamie. Lucy also loved to travel. She had been to many cities (too many to mention) in Asia, Australia, England, France, Italy and the USA. She also made pilgrimages to the Holy Land, Lourdes, and the Grotto at Flat Rock in St. John’s, where she climbed unaided to the top of the hill following the Stations of the Cross. She was 85 at that time. Lucy was a self-taught reader. Her love of reading had propelled her into intellectual pursuits that had her well surpassed her limited vocabulary she had learnt in her schooling years and enabled her to read and comprehend Chinese literature that required an advanced vocabulary. Lucy’s favourite past time was the game of mah-jong which she played skillfully for many years until her failing eyesight prevented her from continuing. She was also a renowned cook who loved to cook for her family and friends. Lucy was a unique lady with a heart of gold. Her strength was exemplified by her strong faith in the Lord. Her wisdom, open-mindedness and positive attitude toward life had positively influenced people close to and around her. She will be fondly remembered for her generosity, dignity, independence, boundless energy, and indomitable spirit with a good sense of humour. She was predeceased by her husband John Lye, son William, daughter Jessie, sons-in-law Paul Funk and Francis Chong, and seven siblings. She is survived by her youngest sister Chong Nyuk-Moi, daughter Annie Chong, and daughter-in-law Teresa. She will be fondly remembered by her grandchildren and their spouses Florence Lye-Cameron; Leonard (Brenda) Lye; Alexandra (Chi-Fui) Chong; Susanna (Sunny) Ma; Hilary (Jeanette) Lye; Rosemary (Patrick) Yap; Benedict (Christine) Chong; Monica (Lawrence) Teh; and Christopher (Avellin) Chong; as well as by great-grandchildren Jeannette (Chris) Baldwin, Alexander Lye, Ian Cameron, Tracy Cameron, Lucinda Cameron, Patrick Cameron, Claire Chong, Alexandre Chong, Melanie Chong, Sharon Yap, Serene Yap, Stephanie Yap, and Victoria Lye; and great-great grandson James Cameron, and numerous relatives in Singapore and Malaysia. Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers and Tributes at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY’S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive South West) on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church (4718 Worcester Drive S.W.) on Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Calgary Chinese Elderly Center Association (CCECA) (Special Needs Support Group), 111 Riverfront Ave. S.W., Calgary, AB, T2P 4Y8. In living memory of Lucy Chong, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.