Obituary of Yu Lian (Mrs. Gao) Zou

May 8, 1937 – Qigong Town, Yangshan County, Guangdong, China

August 12, 2023 – Calgary, Alberta

Yu Lian Zou (Mrs. Gao) of Calgary, AB, passed away at home on the evening of August 12, 2023, at the age of 86 years, surrounded by her loving family and friends.

Mrs. Gao was born in Qigong Town, Yangshan County, Guangdong, China, on May 8, 1937. She was the youngest of ten children. In 1957, she married Ye Ping Gao (deceased). She was an adored mother to three children, all raised in Foshan, Guangdong. She immigrated to Canada in 1990 and settled in Calgary, where she raised her three grandchildren.

In her mid-twenties, Mrs. Gao was a hardworking and dedicated mother employed in a large footwear factory involved in many roles. Overcoming many challenges of working motherhood, she transitioned to become a Kindergarten Teacher in her mid-thirties and was eventually promoted to Kindergarten Principal before her retirement at the age of 48.

Mrs. Gao’s recent years were spent in the company of her family and friends, near and far. She was a Senior Ambassador of the Calgary Chinese Elderly Citizens’ Association. She was also an energetic member of the Lion Dancing Club and the Seniors’ Support Group, where she participated in fundraising walkathons and volunteering events at long-term care facilities. She often engaged in choir performances, special group trips to explore the outdoors, and dance parties with family and friends. She enjoyed living the last years of her life at the Wai Kwan Manor with many of her closest friends.

Mrs. Gao is survived by her children Xiang Wen Gao (Wei Qun Xian), Wan Zhen Tam (Kie Chun Tam), and Yan Zhen Gao (Gui Ming Yang); grandchildren Xian Feng Gao (Mei Rong He), Helen Tam-Tham (Danny Tam-Tham), Wing Ting Tam, Micheal Tam (Ka Ming Law), Zi Jian Yang, and Zi Kun Yang; and great granddaughter Yu Ying Gao.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB T2E 2V6) on Friday, August 25, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Funeral Services will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Chapel of the Bells, 2720 Centre Street N, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, August 26, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Graveside Service to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

Reception to follow at the Chinese Cultural Centre Cuisine Restaurant (197 1 St SW, Calgary, AB) at 1:00 p.m. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Mrs. Gao’s family on this webpage, see details below.

In living memory of Yu Lian Zou, 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.