Ms. May Oi Mei Chow

May was born on October 6, 1932 in Hoi Ping, China. She came to Canada in 1958 to join her husband, Pak Gan (Ken) Chow, who had immigrated a few years earlier.

May worked as a seamstress in a factory in Vancouver. She worked very hard and was very frugal. By 1967, she had saved enough money to take over a small coffee shop in South Surrey serving Canadian and Chinese food. So began the legacy of The Golden Lion Restaurant. By 1974, she and Ken had expanded the little family business to a large venue with many employees.

May (and Ken) retired in 1992. She enjoyed traveling, daily walks along White Rock Beach, meeting friends for tea and Mah Jong. Most of all, she doted on her six grandchildren.

May’s passing is preceded by her husband Ken (2023). They were married for 73 years.

She is survived by: daughters Nancy Saxton (Tim), Pat Niwinski (Chris), Jaine Priest (Chris), grandchildren, Sarah Saxton, Evan Saxton, Mike Niwinski (Shivani), Kathryn Niwinski, Conor Niwinski, Bryan Niwinski, brother Ming Feng Fang (Yue Fang Zhou), brother Ming Chor Fong (Lai Kam Fong), and many nieces and nephews and grandnieces and nephews.

While our hearts mourn her loss, we take comfort in knowing that she is at peace.