Yen Fang Xu Li 李徐艳芳

Thank you for being here today to honor and to celebrate the life of our beloved mother, Yen Fang Li, a woman of quiet strength, selflessness, and boundless love. Her kindness and grace touched everyone who knew her.

Mom was born on December 26, 1947 in Guangdong, China. She was the middle child in a family of three, growing up alongside her older sister, Tsui Lai See, and her younger brother, Jin Zhou Xu. Mom often spoke of her siblings with love, appreciation, and fondness. In 1966 Mom married my father, Tim Li, and together they raised four children: Howard, Susan, Chuck, and Ken. Mom is blessed with six grandchildren: Gabriel, Daniel, Franklin, Gavin, Ian, and Kyle. They were her pride and joy, and each brought a unique sparkle to her life. Mom and Dad’s love and partnership became the foundation of the close-knit family we hold so dear today.

One of Mom’s greatest joys was family gatherings. She loved nothing more than seeing her grandchildren running around, their cheeks flushed red and laughter filling the air. She delighted in sitting at a table overflowing with delicious food, surrounded by the people she loved most. Watching her joyful face during those moments brought us so much happiness.

Mom was an avid gardener with an amazing green thumb. Her garden was not just a hobby but a source of joy and nourishment for our family, with its fresh produce at the heart of countless meals. Generous with her harvest, she shared it with family, friends, and neighbors. Even when her vegetables mysteriously disappeared from her garden overnight, she never minded, believing someone else must have needed them more. Mom also had a gift for making the simplest meals extraordinary. Her hearty homemade pumpkin noodle stew was one of her specialties, a dish that we often requested. Her gardening and culinary gifts will be missed enormously, along with the warmth and love she poured into everything she did.

Mom was a remarkable woman. Some may have mistaken her quiet demeanor for weakness, but we knew it was her greatest strength. She carried herself with humility and simplicity, yet her beauty radiated from her heart and spirit. She was gentle and patient, never needing to raise her voice to guide and teach us life’s lessons. Through her love, she showed us right from wrong and instilled in us the values that shaped who we are today.

Mom found joy in life’s simplest moments. Her wisdom, faith, and kindness spoke volumes without the need for many words. She never sought recognition or reward. Her happiness came from knowing her family was happy, healthy, and united. Life presented her with many challenges, but she met each one with resilience and unwavering faith. In His perfect timing, God answered her heart’s deepest prayers! By His grace, our family came to Canada in May of 1981. God’s faithfulness and grace transformed our family’s lives, filling our journey with renewed hope, abundant opportunities, and countless blessings. Her sacrifices and steadfast love paved the way for the life we are blessed with today, and her happiness reflected her gratefulness to God and her enduring love for her family.

Mom’s life was simple, but her legacy is profound. She taught us how to love deeply, to give selflessly, and to live with grace and humility. Her strength was found in her gentleness, and her legacy is one of unconditional love. Mom had a way of finding contentment in the simplest things, and she was the definition of selflessness, always putting others first.

Mom, we are so grateful for you. You were a gift, and we are so thankful for the time we had with you. You gave us everything you had, and in doing so, you showed us a glimpse of God’s love. Your life was a beautiful reflection of His love: patient, kind, and enduring.

Rest in peace, Mom. We love you more than words can ever say.