Obituary of Lai Wah Wong

劉麗華

February 15, 1942 – Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China

December 9, 2021– Calgary, Alberta

Lai Wah passed away peacefully, with her family around her, on December 9, 2021 after a lengthy and courageous struggle against many health challenges. 

Lai Wah Wong (Lau) was born February 15, 1938 in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China. Her family were wine merchants living and running a shop in the Chang Xing Jie neighbourhood. She was orphaned while still quite young, as a result of, the Japanese occupation of Guangzhou. Her older half-brother and her older sister left to seek a living elsewhere, leaving Lai Wah and her immediate older brother to make a living on the streets of Guangzhou. It was during these extremely difficult times that Lai Wah’s hard working and no-nonsense characteristics would have been formed, out of necessity. They encountered a kind-hearted, educated woman named Madam Leung, affectionately known as Sister Shi. Lai Wah resembled a daughter of Sister Shi, who had passed away earlier, and so Lai Wah and her brother were taken into the family. The family moved to Hong Kong where Lai Wah assisted the family by selling vegetables in the Shek Kip Mei neighbourhood.

Lai Wah moved back to Guangzhou to seek her own livelihood.  She was an enthusiastic ballroom dancer and has always had a flair for fashion. Consequently, she met her husband, Shun Chi Mah in Guangzhou and followed him to Hong Kong where they were married. In 1969, a pregnant Lai Wah along with her four small children immigrated to Canada. Initially living with Shun Chi’s sister, the family would go on to live in a Victoria Park apartment, before realizing their dream of home ownership. They purchased a home in Tavender Road in Thorncliff and later moved to Hunterplain Hill in Calgary. Lai Wah was constantly working to provide financial stability for her family.  She always had physically demanding jobs, including being a chambermaid at the old International Hotel, and as a dedicated food prep worker at Cara Operations.   

Lai Wah took great joy from ensuring her family ate well. In her final years, she lived alone in her apartment connected to the Chinese Cultural Centre. From there she prepared and distributed nutritious soup for family members, until her hands and body would no longer allow her. Lai Wah fulfilled her dream of ensuring her family took the opportunity to receive a good education in Canada.  She enjoyed playing Mah Jong with her friends and taught many of her grandchildren how to play this ancient game.

Lai Wah is survived by her four children William (Mimi) Mah, Tanya (Doug) Sullivan, Tina Wiley, and Tammy (Ray) Poon; eleven grandchildren Natasha (Jonathan), Katelyn (Jake), Micheal (Rebecca), Marilla (Tanner), Hayley, Sarah, Christina, Steven, Jillian, Thomas and Christopher; three great grandchildren, Gwendolyn, Theodore and Rose; as well as many nephews and nieces, especially Ben Lau and his family.

Lai Wah is predeceased by her husband Shun Chi (2013), her beloved son Kenny (2017) and son-in-law David Wiley (2018).

A Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel Of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Friday, Dec 17, 2021 at start at 2:00 PM. Graveside Service to follow at Queens Park Cemetery. Those attending will be asked to provide valid government identification (with name and date of birth) AND confirm one of the following: (A)Provincial vaccine record with QR code (paper or digital); OR (B)negative COVID test (within 72 hours); or (C)valid medical exemption (signed letter); OR (D)under 12 years of age. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed here.

Many thanks to Lai Wah’s home care givers, the staff at Dulcina Hospice, and especially Sylvia Zheng.

You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Dec 17, 2021 02:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Topic: Lai Wah Wong Funeral Service

Please click the link below to join the webinar:

https://zoom.us/j/97955953625