Mrs. Mabel Mar

Beloved Mabel (Lee) Mar passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, January 30, 2024, surrounded by 3 generations of loving family.

Born in Victoria, British Columbia on July 4, 1910, Mabel was the eldest daughter and the third of 14 children. She married her beloved Sunny Mah, had 6 children and was widowed in 1953.

An inspiring matriarch to her 6 children, 17 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren, she was a supercentenarian and Canada’s oldest living citizen at 113 years and 210 days at the time of her passing.

‘Granny,’ as she was affectionately called, devoted her life to her family. She cared for 4 generations, instilling values of kindness, helping others in need, honest hard work, and doing what was right. Long after leaving home, family members all found their way back to her to spend long hours at her kitchen table soliciting her wise advice and thoughtful guidance. At 105 when asked what she would like to pass on to future generations she replied, ‘Do unto others as you want them to do to you. That would be the best.’

A sharp and clever woman ahead of her time, she recited handwritten affirmations taped to her bathroom mirror. Her life philosophy was ‘go with the flow’. She was eternally hopeful and curious about what was coming around the corner.

Feisty and not afraid to speak her mind, she called herself ‘Able Mabel’. Her grit, fortitude and self-assurance enabled her to achieve whatever she set her mind to. From raising her 10 younger siblings at the tender age of 12 to taking up Chinese knotting at age 80 and winning a province wide award at the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE) in her first year!

Wiser than her years, she had a youthful spirit and radiant appearance. She was dignified, elegant and stylish without pretense. Resourceful and self-reliant, she sewed, knitted or crocheted fashionable outfits for herself and others throughout her life. Everywhere she went she exuded warmth with her genuine smile and welcoming acceptance. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them instantly feel special.

She lived simply, and generously shared whatever she had. She never complained about hardships and appreciated everything she had in life. She loved a great laugh and being mischievous. Granny and her vivacious energy will be missed and always remembered.

Mabel was predeceased by her husband Sunny, son Victor and his wife Pansy, son-in-law Bill Wong, grandson Kirk Wong, parents Ernest & Kate Lee, and siblings Henry (Cecilia), Arthur (Isabel), Howard, Esther Young (Jan), Gordon (Betty), Helen, Ruth Young (Gong), Edith Young (Bing), Beatrice, Daniel (Irene), Ella Wong (William), Leonard (Ivy), Douglas (Jean).

She is survived by 5 of her children: Verna Tak (Laddie), Betty Wong, Allan (Patricia), Andy (Sue), Sylvia Chang (Ian); 16 grandchildren: Lisa Kingsley, Joni Mar (Clint), Todd Wong, Marke Wong (Selene), Colleen James (John), Geoffrey Mar (Giulia), Connie Geier (Frank), Sandra Yuen, Bryan Mar, Diane Read (Ken), John Mar (Joelle), Stacie Lum Min (Francis), Adena MacLean, Christina Chang, Andrea Chivers (Doug), Jennifer Mar;

27 Great-grandchildren: Johnee Wong, Michelle Kingsley (Simon), Chad Kingsley, Sean Kingsley (Cecilia), Cameron Wong, Kira McLean (Stuart), Brittany Geier, Alex McLean, Joelle James, Mikayla Geier, Lauren-Jane Mar, Grayson Mar, Joshua James, Caleb James, Skyler Huy, Cohen Blackstar, Siena Mar, Isaac James, Zephyr Sunstar, Jade MacLean, Madeline Chivers, Acadia Mar, James Mar, Calvin MacLean, Owen Chivers, Olivia Mar, Lachlan Chivers;

5 Great-great-grandchildren: Keri-Ann Kingsley (Matthew), Clarissa Smedley (Colin), Brandon Smedley, Jordan Smedley and Isla Paspoporn-Kingsley. As well as many adored nieces, nephews and their families across Canada, the United States and Europe.

The entire Mar family would like to thank Marilou Tuzon who lovingly cared for Mabel for 12 years and to all of the wonderful staff at the St. Vincent’s Langara Care Home, especially her devoted care givers Lily Cao and Ochie de Leon for their special attention to Granny.

A private family service will be held in her honour at a later date. She wished for no flowers or donations be made on her behalf. Instead she would like to be remembered with a smile, and an act of kindness for someone- especially those in need. The family would be most grateful if you would take a moment to share a favorite story about Mabel so that her future generations could better know just how remarkable a woman she was.