Vivian Hsiao Wen Ling

Vivian Hsiao Wen Ling (林沈孝文) passed away peacefully on October 20th, 2023, in Vancouver, Canada. She was preceded by her husband of 67 years, Francis Cho-Feng Ling (林卓峰); and survived by her sisters, Xiao-Min (Vancouver), Xiao-Mei (Sydney, Australia), and brother Xiao Guang (Shanghai, China), her daughter Joyce (and son-in-law Donald Shuen; Vancouver), son Douglas (and daughter-in-law Neah; Wellesley, Massachusetts), grandchildren Collin (Shuen), Alexander, Emma, and Brendan.

Vivian was born Shen Hsiao-Wen, in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China, on October 25th, 1927. She was the oldest of 5 children of Shen Zhong-Ping Shen and Shen-Yan Fu-Zhu. Vivian met Francis Cho-Feng Ling in 1950, while he was at the Shanghai Medical School. They got married in Hong Kong in 1952. When Francis went to Canada for his medical residency, she continued her education, eventually earning a degree in Accounting. For about 10 years, she was the Chief Accountant at Zung Fu Company, the exclusive Mercedes-Benz car dealership in Hong Kong, leading a staff of more than 10. The family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, in 1976. But when Francis returned to Hong Kong to resume his medical practice in 1980, she followed. She split time between living in Hong Kong and Vancouver, until their return to Vancouver permanently in 2011. Wherever Vivian was, she enjoyed entertaining friends and guests with lavish feasts at home and restaurants. A devoted wife, caring mother, and loving grandma, Vivian also possessed an amiable personality, with the unique ability to make those around her feel loved and important. She lived a full life enjoying her travelings, gardening, cooking, Chinese ink painting, opera, and, most of all, shopping!

A Celebration of Life will be held on November 11, 2023, in the Chapel at Ocean View Cemetery, Burnaby, BC, Canada. Donations in lieu of flowers can be made to Villa Cathay Care Home, Vancouver BC., in Vivian’s memory. https://villacathay.ca/in-memory-vivianling/