Obituary of Marian Kathleen Mah

September 28, 1937 – Vancouver, British Columbia

September 4, 2022 – Victoria, British Columbia

Marian Mah (nee Louie), beloved wife of Forster Mah, of Calgary, AB, passed away on Sunday, September 4, 2022, at the age of 84 years, at Victoria General Hospital, in Victoria, BC, after falling ill due to complications from a thyroid mass, while on a trip with her husband Forster.

Marian is survived by her husband Forster Mah of 64 years, her four children Wesley (Lisa Cheng), Jeffrey (Aurore Fifi-Mah), Michael (May Chow), and Diane (Victor Choy); fourteen grandchildren, Lauren, Vivienne, Davis, Ambre, Liam, Teoh, Elise, Sophia, Spencer, Stephanie, Seanan, Colette, Trenton, and Chloe. As the third child of eleven siblings, she leaves behind William (Marilyn), Edward, Richard (Ellen), Robert (Brenda), Thomas (Ruth), Andrew (Lydia), Maxine (Gary), Elizabeth (Art), and Deborah (Peter); former sister-in-law Sharon, as well as many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews from the Koo and Louie families. She was predeceased by her parents Gum Ho Louie, and Abe Wai Lan Koo; her brother Norman, and her three sisters-in-law, Bess, Jeannette, and Carol.

Born in Vancouver, BC, Marian was the eldest girl, with two older brothers and five younger brothers, until the three youngest sisters were born. Their family lived in Vancouver before moving to Calgary in 1953. The older siblings helped raise the younger siblings.

Marian worked as a secretary until she married Forster on June 15, 1958. While raising her own family of four children, she helped with family businesses and property management. Marian was a calm, caring, generous, kind, and considerate woman. She was a devoted wife, mother, and sister. Family was always a priority. Some of the most memorable moments with Marian were her large family dinners. Always open to hosting and never complaining, she gathered family and friends together with her weekly Sunday dinners. The mood was always warm and inviting with a buffet of delicious home-cooked food. She emphasized healthy eating and became a vegetarian. She enjoyed her brown rice and stressed the importance of 'no chemicals' and organic produce. Always welcoming visitors, Marian and Forster's home was nicknamed 'Mah-tel', and family could always count on a place to stay. Important to her was spending time with all fourteen of her grandchildren. Many precious memories were made as Marian and Forster travelled extensively as a couple, with the whole Mah clan, and with her sisters. Her favourite place, other than home, was Hawaii and Richmond, BC.

A Celebration of Marian’s Life will be honoured at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of The Bells, 2720 Centre Street North, Calgary, AB), on Saturday, September 17, 2022, at 2:00 p.m., with dinner at the Silver Dragon Restaurant (106 - 3 Ave SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 0B6), at 5:00 p.m. after the service. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here. The family gratefully declines flowers, and if friends so desire, a donation can be made in honour of Marion’s name to the Canadian Cancer Society -55 St Clair Ave West, Suite 500, Toronto, ON, M4V 2Y7, Telephone: 1-800-268-8874 https://cancer.ca/en/ or the Wing Kei Care Centres- 1212 Centre Street NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2R4, Telephone: 403-277-7433 https://www.wingkeicarecentre.org/.

In living memory of Marian Mah, 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.

Click Here to View Marian Mah's Memorial Card