Mrs. Georgina Lai Tong Kwong

We share the sad news of the passing of Georgina Lai Tong Kwong, and celebrate the rich, vibrant, and long life she shared with all of us. Beloved mother to Carolyn and Marilyn (Brian) and grandmother to Benjamin and Jonathan. She is predeceased by husband Edmund, brothers Gil, Ray, and Dougie, and sisters Lee and Ping. She is survived by sisters Diana and Bonnie, and brother Willie. Georgina peacefully departed this world at the age of 98 on July 16, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

Born as the eldest daughter of nine siblings on August 14, 1924, Georgina grew up in a close-knit and nurturing home. From a young age, she exhibited a caring and compassionate nature, taking on the role of a protector and caregiver to her younger brothers and sisters. During the Great Depression, when her family had to sail from Canada to China on the Empress of Russia, Georgina, who was only 8 years old, helped her mother ensure her younger siblings were cared for and safe. When she was 13 years old, her mother was hospitalized for tuberculosis. Again, Georgina took on responsibility without hesitation, leaving school in Grade 8 to help raise her younger siblings. Later in life, her mother acknowledged her sacrifice by enrolling Georgina in a bookkeeping course -- skills she used to eventually establish her own bookkeeping business.

Throughout her life, Georgina was a pillar of unwavering love and support for her own family. She married Edmund Kwong and together they navigated many hardships to provide a better life for their daughters. Their love endured for 46 years, until Edmund passed away on January 27, 2000.

As a mother, Georgina was an endless source of wisdom and guidance for her two daughters, Carolyn and Marilyn. She instilled in them the importance of family values, caregiving and kindness, which they carry with them today. This was exemplified by Carolyn in her dedication to caring for Georgina through her later years, and by Marilyn in the values she instills in her children, Benjamin and Jonathan.

Georgina’s nurturing spirit made her a trusted confidante and a source of comfort to many people, including her extended family and friends. Known for her compassionate listening and genuine care, she had the extraordinary ability to make everyone feel valued and loved.

Georgina lived a life that embodied finding joy in the little things such as listening to opera, cooking wonderful meals for her family, and playing tennis well into her 80’s. Augmenting this simplicity though was a keen sense of style. Being from a family of tailors, her personal style exuded that of a classy 60’s Hollywood starlet. In her later years, Georgina always had a twinkle in her eye, especially around her grandsons whom she adored and constantly showered with little gifts and treats.

Though we mourn her passing, we celebrate the remarkable legacy Georgina leaves behind. Her life was a beautiful tapestry of love, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to family. She taught us the value of family bonds, the importance of compassion, and the strength to face challenges with grace and courage.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Paul’s Foundation