Jean Ngwe Mar

Great hardships fell upon the family after the Japanese Occupation of China and the outbreak of the Second World War. The family could not return to Canada because of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923 which stripped the Chinese, even those born in Canada, the rights of Canadian citizenship. Upon the repeal of the Act, the family was able to return to Canada in 1947.

Jean did not go to school in Canada. However, she was extremely smart and particularly good with math. She became the first Chinese teller hired by the Bank of Nova Scotia in Edmonton (Her younger sister, Mamie, became the second). She socialized with many of the young friends she made in Edmonton attending dinners, dances, house parties and Edmonton Eskimo football games. It was at one such dance that was held in Calgary where she was matched up with her future husband, Barry.

Jean and Barry were married in 1958 and later moved to Calgary to start a business. They also started a family with their sons Gary (1962) and Kirby (1967). Jean was not only a great mother, but she was also an indispensable partner who kept meticulous bookkeeping records for all of Barry's business endeavours.

There are many exceptional cooks in this family (although Barry who started and operated several food & beverage operations was not one of them). Jean was among the best of them. She taught Chinese cooking at community halls and homes. Lucky was the day when her sons got to eat the day's homework assignments! Her best advice: You must learn how to taste your food before you can cook. She could eat a dish at a restaurant and then produce the same dish at home, but better.

She was also a very well-read person who kept apprised of world events by reading daily papers cover to cover and watching political and business affairs shows.

On May 6, 2026, Jean was attending the Calgary Celebration of Life for her older sister, King Chow (Shord) who recently passed away at the age of 104. Remarkably, all nine siblings reached the age of 90 or more. It was a grand celebration with surviving siblings and nieces and nephews from across Canada and the US. Jean had a wonderful time and had a great smile on her face as she saw family and enjoyed a wonderful lunch.

Shortly after lunch, Jean became ill and went by ambulance to the hospital. Her grandchildren and great grandson traveled that evening from Edmonton and Vancouver. Jean was surrounded by siblings, children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and a great grandson. Having had them all in her presence, she slipped away from this life in the early hours of May 7.

Jean will be missed by her older sister Sue Woo (Tom) of Montana and younger sister Mamie Lee (Jack) of Vancouver and brother Kee Mah of Calgary and children Gary Mar (Nancy), Kirby Mar (Ofra) and grandchildren Lauren (Jordan), Jared (Nicolle) and Mackenzie and great grandson Jace and many nieces and nephews.

She is predeceased by her sisters Suey Jin Kung (Kung Yum Cheng), King Chow (Shord) and brothers Ming Mah (Ping), Hong Mah and Chou Mah. Barry has been waiting since 2007 to serve Jean her tea and toast. She has been waiting just as long to cook him a great dinner. God has welcomed Jean to His Presence. Rest Eternal grant unto her, O Lord, and may light perpetually shine upon her.

A private family service will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel with Interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.