May Jang

August 30, 1934 – December 1, 2025

The world was blessed with the birth of May on August 30, 1934, in Vancouver and from that moment she brought joy and pride to her family, and throughout her long 91-year life, to everyone else who met her. The youngest of eight children, she is survived by her sister Joyce.

In 1957 she married Leslie Jang who passed away in 2018 with whom she had a 61 year long and happy marriage. Together, they had three children, Kerry, Colin, and Carlene; and later four adoring grandchildren Nicholas and Rachel from Kerry and Vicki, and Christopher and Evan from Carlene and Michael Sit.

May was a pioneer being among the first Chinese Canadians to work in government services in British Columbia, beginning at the Department of Veterans Affairs at Shaughnessy Hospital as a stenographer in the 1950’s, then as a secretary for the Juvenile and Family Court. After raising her family, she returned to the BC Ministry of the Attorney General as a Court Clerk, rising to an appointment as a Justice of the Peace in 1986, a position she held until she retired mid 1990’s. During her working career, she also taught a Chinese cooking night school class for the Vancouver School Board and sold cookware at The Contented Kitchen then located at Lougheed Mall in Burnaby.

May had an infectious sense of fun and grace and always thought about the welfare of her family and friends alike. She was the consummate caregiver. Described by all who knew her as resourceful, practical, organized, smart, elegant, and beautiful; and most notably that she did not suffer fools in any way at all.

An avid reader of science fiction, she also enjoyed attending live theatre, Big Band music, in particular Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, Harry James, and Benny Goodman whose music was heard throughout the house. She loved to dance and threw a damn good party. May made this world a better place.