Obituary of Yee Wah Chan 陳綺華

September 23, 1930 – Macau

February 18, 2022 – Calgary, Alberta

Yee Wah Chan, beloved wife of Pong Kit Chan 陳邦傑, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022, at the age of 91 years.

Yee Wah was born in Macau on September 23, 1930. In her native Hong Kong, Yee Wah and her husband ran several businesses, including farming and textile. She was the superintendent of a group of family-run schools. Since arriving in Canada in 1978, she had enjoyed working in the hospitality industry. First, at Calgary Sheraton Hotel, as chambermaid and laundry person. Then, at Calgary Delta Hotel, as server in the staff dining room.

Yee Wah enjoyed shopping and the occasional mahjong. She enjoyed looking after her plants and was particularly proud of her very green bamboo centerpiece. Yee Wah enjoyed the various cruises she went on, and she will be most remembered for her great energy and enthusiasm. Even after her battle with a serious illness while in her sixties, and having lost an arm for it, she bounced back and lived with gusto for thirty more years.

Yee Wah is survived by her two daughters and two sons-in-law, Diana and Khanh Nguyen, of Calgary, AB, and Irene Chan and Gabriel Yee, of Calgary, AB; two sons and two daughters-in-law, Wilson and Alsace Chan, of Hong Kong, China, and William and Eva Chan, of Calgary, AB; five grandchildren, Nicole Nguyen (Nathan Robertson), Wilfred Chan (Christy Chi), Dr. Brian Chan, Anson Chan, and Jason Chan; and two great grandchildren, Ethan, and Estelle Robertson.

Yee Wah is also survived by her two brothers, Guo-Leung Lam, and Guo-Nam Lam; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Besides her beloved husband, Pong Kit, Yee Wah was predeceased by her mother Chung-Wai Cheng, and her father Kwong Lam, as well as her adopted niece Yuen-Min Shum.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Wing Kei Care Center, for caring for Yee Wah in the last years of her life.

In living memory of Yee Wah Chan, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6, Telephone: 403-243-8200.