Amy Yiu Chee Kan

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our wife, and mother, Amy Yiu Chee Kan. After her cancer diagnosis in January 2013, Amy fiercely fought off Multiple Myeloma before succumbing to Lymphoma at Burnaby General Hospital on January 29, 2014.

She was born and raised in Canton, China, and moved to Hong Kong in 1945 where she attended St. Paul's Co-educational College Primary School. In 1956, she sailed to Northampton, England, where she studied at the Northampton General Hospital School of Nursing. Amy’s first work placement was in Optometry and was on ward rotation till graduation in 1959. She specialized in Midwifery for another year in 1960. In 1961, she moved to Hong Kong and worked at the British Military Hospital before immigrating to Vancouver, Canada, in 1968. During her successful 30-year nursing career at Mount Saint Joseph’s Hospital, she received a Recognition award for “Valuable Contribution to the Nursing Profession” from the Registered Nurses Association of BC.

Upon retirement, Amy volunteered at the Roundhouse Community Centre from 1998 to 2008 and helped form the Roundhouse Chinese Seniors Group. She attended services at North Shore Pacific Grace Mennonite Brethren Church each Sunday; one of which was Easter Sunday in 2012 when she celebrated her Christian baptism. Year after year, her passion for gardening rewarded her with bountiful harvests and fragrant blooms.

Amy truly cherished each moment with her lifelong friends, wistfully spending afternoons playing mah jong or fighting for the bill at dim sum. The telephone was her lifeline. She called her older sister #5, Au Big Chee, everyday, and youngest brother #11, Armstrong, Au Chu Tong in Vancouver; older brother #9, Au Kit Tong in Hong Kong, as well as many other relatives across the globe.

Amy loved spending time with her twin grandchildren, Tamlyn and Trevor, whether it was trying to keep up with indoor soccer, sharing Canucks’ scores, or patiently teaching Chinese. “Amy Poh Poh” always tried to have a little surprise for the twins, while trying to instill the values of hard work and discipline. Amy and her son-in-law, Albert, shared a mutual love and respect for one another. She valued his strong ethics and welcomed his realistic views on life. With his charm and wit, her laughter filled the air.

The true joy of her life was her only child, Joanna, who will profoundly miss her mother’s devotion, love, and sacrifice. Joanna endeavored to learn from her mother’s unwavering sense of empathy. She will treasure the last year of her mother’s life and sadly relinquish the burden of caring for her mom.

John Chun Leung Kan married Amy in 1965 after a 5-year courtship. He adored her strength, kindness, and compassion. They travelled to many destinations, often with friends, while looking forward to gardening at home. Their marriage was nurtured through love, hardships, and continued support for each other. John endearingly renewed his devotion to Amy during the last few months of her life and will truly miss her grace and loving heart.

The Kan family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Burnaby General Hospital, Burnaby Regional Cancer Centre, and Crofton Manor; with special thanks to Dr. Wendy Lam, Dr. Susan Kwan, Dr. Isaiah Shai Bregman, Dr. Daniel Tong, and Veronica Da Conceicao. Their expertise, care, and attention provided Amy with much comfort.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the BC Cancer Foundation would be appreciated. Donations, in memory of Amy Kan, will be designated to support Multiple Myeloma and Lymphoma cancer research at the BC Cancer Agency. Please call toll-free: 1-888-906-2873 or visit www.bccancerfoundation.com to make your donation to the BC Cancer Foundation. Tax receipts will be issued upon request. Cheques may also be sent to BC Cancer Foundation, #150 – 686 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1G1 – please reference this in memory tribute to Amy when you send this gift.

Visitation for family and friends will be held at Glenhaven Memorial Chapel, 1835 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, on Wednesday, February 5, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, where a Funeral service will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2014 at 12:30 pm. An entombment will follow at 2:45 pm at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, BC.