Ms. Suet Ping Margaret Tsang

Ms. Margaret Suet Ping Tsang (曾雪萍) of Vancouver passed away peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, May 31, 2026, after a sudden, significant stroke. Her siblings, nephew, niece, and friends were by her side at Vancouver General Hospital.

Margaret was born on January 6, 1945, in Hong Kong, the fourth child in a family of five boys and two girls. She was raised by caring parents and grew up among loving siblings.

She attended Sacred Heart Canossian College (嘉諾撒聖心書院), a distinguished Catholic girls' school in Hong Kong, and continued her education at the University of Hong Kong (1966–1969), where she earned an Honours Bachelor’s degree in Geography and Geology. Upon graduation, she immediately pursued a career in education—briefly at Tak Nga Secondary School in Kowloon, and from 1970 onward at St. Mark's Secondary School (聖馬可中學) in Hong Kong, teaching English Language Arts and Geography.

Margaret’s dedication to her career in education and her ability to build trust and achieve results were recognized; she was granted promotion to roles including Graduate Mistress, Senior Graduate Mistress, and then Assistant Principal until her retirement in 1993. In these roles, she guided both students and staff. Though a full-time job and home responsibilities for her aging parents demanded much of her time, she followed her father’s example and served as principal for the Holy Cross Church’s English Evening School (1969-1978), which served adult students seeking an English qualification. Even after retiring and migrating to Canada, she took on part-time substitute teaching work in Surrey until 2010.

Margaret travelled extensively, often bringing her parents along. She took part in at least two pilgrimages to Europe organized by the Canossian College Alumni Association. She once said, with her signature broad smile and sparkling eyes, that she had visited nearly every corner of the world. The one place she had yet to go—and truly wanted to—was South America.

Margaret had many hobbies and interests, some self-taught. Throughout her life, she loved to knit; in retirement, she honed her skills and created exquisitely detailed patterns in sweaters, scarves, and hats. Many family members benefited from her handmade gifts. She was also skilled in sewing, Chinese painting, origami, cross stitching, and beading.

She loved sports and was health conscious, hiking, playing badminton, and swimming regularly. She was an active member of the badminton group at Bonsor Community Centre. She walked in the UBC campus daily, was vigilant about eating healthy, and took pride in her physical health, achieving her desire to remain independent and active until her passing.

Margaret was a devout Catholic. In Hong Kong, she taught Sunday School. In Vancouver, she was a parishioner of St. Augustine’s Parish and later of St. Mark’s Parish, and participated in several Bible study groups. As a member of Christian Life Community (CLC) Lighthouse in the Rockies Region—a worldwide Ignatian spirituality group—she attended meetings regularly and offered her home for gatherings. She served as a Eucharistic Minister (volunteer) at UBC Hospital, delivering Holy Communion and bringing love, peace and joy to seniors in Purdy (LTC), often turning routine visits into cherished moments.

One of Margaret’s greatest strengths was her ability to build and nurture her relationships. She played many roles throughout her life—daughter, sister, aunt, friend, godparent, teacher, school administrator, and member of the Catholic community. She was devoted to her parents and family. She took early retirement from St. Mark’s Secondary School to be with her mother, who had migrated to Canada a few years earlier. When her mother was hospitalized, Margaret often stayed overnight to care for her. She maintained relationships with friends, students, and colleagues from all different stages and areas of her life. It was not uncommon that a student she had taught decades ago would reach out to express their gratitude or wishes to reconnect, or for her to run into a group of old friends by chance while out with family.

Her achievements are not only in education and career; they also shine through the lasting impressions she left on others. Those who had the privilege of knowing her experienced her quiet sincerity, extraordinary kindness, genuine love, and unwavering faith.

Margaret will be missed by everyone whose lives she touched, including her family, her colleagues, her students, and her godchildren and their families. Here are some thoughts shared with us by a godchild’s family members:

“The Bible tells us that love does not boast and is not proud. Auntie Margaret embodied these words. Her life was a reflection of a faith that was lived out daily through humility, compassion, and service to others. She gave generously of herself without expecting anything in return, and cared deeply for those around her, often in ways that went unseen by others.

To us, she was the very embodiment of Christ like love—a faithful servant whose actions spoke far louder than words ever could. Her kindness was never performative. Her generosity never self seeking. She simply loved people well, and in doing so, reflected the grace and goodness of God in countless quiet yet meaningful ways.”

Our family could not have said it better.

Though Margaret is no longer with us, her gentle smile and generous spirit will never be forgotten.

Funeral Service events will take place at St. Mark’s Parish, 5935 Iona Drive in Vancouver on Friday, July 3rd, 2026 with the following schedule:

- Visitation: 9:00am - 10:00am

- Funeral Mass: 10:15 am

- Celebration of Life: 12:00pm (Lunch provided; please RSVP at [email protected])

An Inurnment will be held on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at 10:30 am at Forest Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park (Lion’s View section), 3789 Royal Oak Avenue in Burnaby.

Memorial Donation

In lieu of flowers or monetary gifts, donations in the memory of Margaret Tsang can be made to St. Mark’s Parish, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, or the Canadian Cancer Society.