Debbie Khoo Aung

It is with great sadness that the family of Debbie Khoo Aung announce her sudden passing on Thursday, March 13, 2025.

Debbie is lovingly remembered and survived by her husband, Steven; 4 children Florence, Vincentia (Craig), Stevenson (Angélique) and Stephanie (Huy); 9 grandchildren Noemi, Andrew, Matthew, Steven, Shen, Remy, Maaya, Keoli and Amaris; and her siblings Juliet (Albert) and Stanley. She is also mourned by numerous extended family members and friends. Debbie was preceded in death by her parents Kay Tee Khoo (2003) and Shu Tin Khoo (2021).

Debbie Khoo was born in Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Burma) on May 4, 1949. She was the oldest of 3 children. Debbie’s life was marked by her commitment to family. At a young age, she helped her mother care for her siblings (the youngest being 10 years younger than her). She studied chemistry and took great interest in learning Japanese language and culture while in university. In 1973, she met Steven Aung in Yangon through a family friend and they married in 1974 in Myanmar. Shortly after, she followed Steven to Canada where she supported him as he re-established his license and career as an internationally trained physician. This involved multiple moves across Canada where she experienced a culture very different from that in Myanmar. The family resided in Vancouver, Montreal, Newfoundland before finally settling in Edmonton, Alberta in 1983. They had 4 children and she loved to share that she had 2 children born on the west coast (Vancouver) and 2 on the east coast (Newfoundland). Her love and commitment to her family continued when she and Steven supported her parents and siblings as they eventually immigrated to Canada. Throughout her life, her Buddhist faith, devotion and love for her family were pillars upon which she built everything. With Steven becoming increasingly busy, she became the foundation upon which the family flourished. She had a firm hand, guided by a loving heart and instilled in her children the importance of drive, perseverance and a strong sense of self. She was someone who showed love through service and action. Her dedication to family was visible in every aspect of her life as she chauffeured, tutored, advocated, helped at school(s) and the clinic, hosted events and people, babysat, and later became a steadfast caregiver to both her mom and husband. She loved jewelry (especially gemstones) and would never be caught leaving the house without earrings. She also loved her Asian snacks and never hesitated to share whether anyone felt ready to try them or not. As the kids grew older and she was able to travel more, she loved her trips to Southeast Asia and all things Southeast Asian (especially food). As the family expanded, she took great joy in sharing all things (and pictures) about her grandchildren. Those who crossed paths with her remember her kindness, humility and the natural effortless manner in which she carried herself. She didn’t sweat the small stuff. She lived in the present and she loved to laugh. A lot of people remember her smile. The family feels so fortunate and blessed to have had such a gem of a human as a wife/mother/grandmother/sister in our lives. We know that she lived a life fulfilled and take comfort knowing she is now at peace.

A funeral service honouring Debbie’s life will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 9:30 am MDT, GMT-6. Location of service will be at Hainstock’s Funeral Home and Crematorium (9810 – 34 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB, Canada). For those not able to join locally, the service will be live-streamed through the funeral home website. The family invites all to join them to bless Debbie and help collectively send her spirit off to a peaceful realm. Both black/dark or white/light attire as traditional colours of mourning are welcome. Debbie will be laid to rest in a family plot at Ocean View Cemetery in Vancouver, B.C. where a private family burial service will be held.

The family would like to express gratitude to all who have shared love, kindness and supported Debbie during her life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following charities in Mom's memory that supports causes that were important to her: 1) The Salvation Army, 2) Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, 3) Diabetes Canada, 4) Edmonton's Food Bank, or 5) Doctors without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) emergency response in Myanmar to support relief efforts from the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake.