Yim Heong Lew

Departed on September 2, 2011, and resided in Darien, CT.

Yim Heong Chan Lew, a resident of Darien for 19 years, passed away on Friday, September 2, 2011 in Renton, WA after returning from a family cruise to Alaska. She was 79 years old. In Chinese years, she was 83 years old.

Mrs. Lew is predeceased by her father Kung You Chan, mother Yuk Ying Ng Chan, sister Kam Heong Wong, and brothers Yuk You Chan and Yuk Lai Chan. She is survived by her brothers Yuk Kee Chan, Yuk Nging Chan, Yuk Lem Chan, daughter Diane Lew-Seger and her husband Andrew, and son Daniel Lew and his wife Fiona; granddaughters Laura Ruth Seger, Lindsey Anne Seger, Rebecca Lew, Kristina Lew, and Olivia Lew, and thirteen nephews and nieces. Mrs. Lew was born on November 16, 1931 in the village of Luk Tun in Hoisaan city in mainland China as the eldest of 7 siblings. Mrs. Lew married Peter Kwong Lew in 1949 and emigrated to the United States in 1958. With only two years of formal education in China, after arriving in the United States, she obtained her citizenship, raised two children as a single parent, and started and ran a laundry in the Bronx, NY. She sponsored her five brothers, sister and their families for immigration to the United States. After her laundry business, she worked as seamstress in New York City’s Chinatown, and also started a Chinese restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with her brothers. Mrs. Lew moved to Darien, CT in 1992 and lived with her son Daniel and his wife Fiona.

Mrs. Lew was deeply grateful and devoted to the wonderful friends and family who helped her in America. She enjoyed cooking, gardening, playing mah jong, and traveling. Mrs. Lew was very proud of her children, granddaughters, nieces and nephews, and their families, and was delighted that they are all able to pursue the American dream. Family and friends are welcome to attend a vigil and memorial service to be held on Tuesday, September 13, 2011 from 4pm to 8pm at Leo P. Gallagher & Son Funeral Home, 2900 Summer Street, Stamford, CT. Telephone: (203) 327-1313 The funeral will be held on Wednesday, September 14 at 11am. A traditional Chinese service will be held at the funeral home followed by a graveside service at Spring Grove Cemetery, Darien, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to AmeriCares, www.AmeriCares.org, 88 Hamilton Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902. To place online condolences, please visit www.leopgallagherstamford.com