Mrs. Mei Wah Mah

CHONG, Mei Wah Mah – passed away peacefully on March 29, 2019 at St. Vincent’s: Langara Residence in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the age of 90 years old. Mei Wah was born in Toishan, Canton, China on August 20, 1928. She was the second of eight siblings. She was known for being exceedingly generous and kind. Over her lifetime, she took care of her elders, her siblings, as well as many generations of her family. Mei Wah was the singular driving force that kept her large family together. As a young woman in China, she would gather kindling to make extra money, and draw the water from the well by herself to prepare meals for the entire family. When her father was captured and held for ransom before World War II, she led the family in finding the money to pay for his release. Mei Wah had a tough life, and worked hard at multiple jobs, but she embraced all the challenges to protect her family and ensure everyone had a better life ahead. Mei Wah was an excellent cook, and she first arrived Toronto, Canada in 1967. After working at her sister’s bakery business, she ultimately settled in Trail, British Columbia. She was the head chef at Canton Cafe in Trail for more than thirty years, but she went above and beyond to cook Cantonese specialties for her own family. Her sticky rice (lovingly hand-wrapped in bamboo leaves), deep-fried Chinese dumplings, and rice rolls were legendary. She also loved to eat, and in her later years, would enjoy chicken feet at weekly dim sum and steamed fish (from head to tail) at family dinners. After her husband Sun Chee (Gary) Chong passed away in 2005, Mei Wah finally retired from Canton Cafe and moved to Vancouver. She spent many happy years living independently, just a few minutes away from her older son Simon and his family. Mei Wah is survived by her son Simon and grandchildren Elaine, Fanny, and Gina (Tjong) of Vancouver; and son Benny (Ursula) and grandchildren Michael (Bhavisha), Peter, and Christine of Coquitlam. She was pre-deceased by her husband Sun Chee, daughter-in-law Martina, and many of her siblings. Mei Wah will be remembered forever and missed dearly by her family and friends. She leaves an immense hole in our hearts (and our stomachs). A Funeral Service will be held in Forest Lawn Chapel, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, on Wednesday, April 10th, at 1pm (viewing to start at 12 noon), with burial immediately afterwards at Forest Lawn Cemetery. After her burial, a celebration of Mei Wah’s life with dinner will be held at Fortune City Seafood Restaurant (2800 East First Avenue, Vancouver). Please let Simon know if you will be attending the dinner.