Athene Pui-Wah Yao

Athene Pui-Wah Yao passed away peacefully in Calgary, Alberta, on Thursday, March 9, 2017. Athene is lovingly remembered by her beloved husband of 49 years, Frank, daughter Yvonne, son Peter and his wife Louisa, and son Stephen and his wife Janet. She will be deeply missed by grandchildren Braden, Charlize, Kyan, Dehati and Kiana.

Athene was born in Shanghai, China and was raised by Chao Yu Heng and her father Qui Xue Ji. She is survived by brother Qiu Yun Long and niece Qiu Yi Hua; brother Qiu Yi Yi and wife Lou Hui Wen and nephew Qiu Zhong Yuan; brother Lu De Pei and wife Wang Zhi Yun and nieces Lu Yi Ling and Lu Yi Zhen; and sister Qiu Mei Mei and husband Zhang Wu Jun and niece Zhang An Qi.

She met Frank early in childhood as family friends. Majoring in Mathematics and Physics, she moved to Hong Kong in 1962 and eventually married her sweetheart in 1967. Together as a family of five, Athene emigrated to Canada in 1977 and worked hard to provide for her family - studying additional diplomas at SAIT while also working two jobs. In her career spanning over 20 years as a geophysicist in oil & gas exploration, she retired in 2002.

Athene will be remembered as an extremely devoted wife and mother. Her greatest joys were the company of friends, playing mahjong, watching TV soap operas, playing computer games and cooking her children's favorite meals. She particularly enjoyed traveling and visited numerous countries worldwide. Athene placed a strong emphasis on family values and instilled a sense of work ethic and dedication to education in her children. She lived with great integrity and generosity, leaving behind a tremendous legacy of love. She will continue to live on in the memories of her extensive family and closest friends.

In recent years, Athene’s health declined rapidly as she was afflicted with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP). Over the last several years, she was cared for affectionately and devotedly by Frank. In her final months, she was greatly cared for at Wing Kei Care Centre.

Relatives and friends are invited to pay their respects at a Visitation held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 - 4 Street NW, Calgary, AB (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Saturday, March 18, 2017 from 6:00 p.m to 8:00 p.m. A Funeral Service held at Foster’s Garden Chapel on Sunday, March 19, 2017 at 10:00 a.m., with interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.

If so desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made directly to Wing Kei Care Centre, 1212 Centre Street N.E., Calgary, Alberta, ℅ Kayln Leung.

If writing a cheque out to the Wing Kei Care Centre, please indicate Athene Yao in the memo section, as tax receipts will be issued for donations above $25.00.

Or you may donate online via https://www.canadahelps.org/dn/26864