Rosemary Chan Kay

Rosemary Chan Kay was born in Rabaul, New Britain, Papua New Guinea on September 18, 1924. Her father's name was Tee Cee Wee (Malaysian Fukien Chinese, a.k.a. Chan Ching Fai in Cantonese) and her mother's name was Lam Wo Oi. Rosemary's birth name was Tee Kinsoon. Rosemary had five siblings: Bernard, Joan, Margaret, You Fai and Joseph.

Her family, in partnership with two other families, owned and operated successful copra plantations and a general store in Papua New Guinea. Her father was the Honorary Consul for China as he was respected by other nationalities and able to speak English as well as Chinese. In 1937, Rosemary survived the horrifying experience of the eruption of a volcano that rose from the sea in Papua New Guinea. While carrying her youngest brother, she ran with her family underneath darkened skies through fumes and falling ash to reach safety.

Rosemary's father recognized the importance of an English education and, therefore, sent each of his children to boarding school in Australia. In February 1939 Rosemary and Joan were sent together by ship to the Methodist Ladies' College in Melbourne. In late December 1940, being independent-minded, 16 year old Rosemary departed MLC to attend Metropolitan Business College in Sydney where she studied shorthand.

In 1941, Rosemary and her siblings were planning to celebrate Christmas with their parents in Papua New Guinea. Instead of returning with her older brother Bernard, Rosemary decided to wait until school vacation began for sisters Joan and Margaret. However, by then the imminent threat of war in the region closed all travel by sea, so the three sisters were stranded in Australia until the end of WWII in 1945. During this time they lost all communication and financial support from their parents. Rosemary was able to continue college by working part-time for Griffiths Bros, a tea and coffee wholesale company. Sadly, her eleven year old brother and father were casualties of the war.

Everyday life goes on, even during a raging world war. Rosemary met her future husband Wallace Lew Kay at a dance in Sydney while he was there on R & R. This is surmised to have occurred in either 1942 or 1943. Wallace was a Staff Sergeant assigned to the Headquarters Squadron V Fighter Command in New Guinea. They corresponded by mail after Wallace left Australia.

Rosemary decided to visit Wallace in Seattle in 1949. She flew aboard a propeller-driven airplane carrying only one small suitcase. Rosemary's return ticket went unused because she and Wallace married on August 20, 1949. They lived with her mother-in-law for about four years in the Lew Kay family home near Broadway (current location of Seattle University). During this time their first child Laurene was born and in 1953 they purchased their own home. Then in quick succession Claudia, Bernard, and Arnold were born.

Rosemary was a dedicated mother and wife with extraordinary talents. She became an exceptional self-taught seamstress, had great expertise with a pair of knitting needles, and could cook amazing American and Chinese meals with equal capability. Her legendary hombows will be missed.

Because of her sewing talents, the manager of the Fabric Department at the Bon Marché (now known as Macy's) asked her to make clothing for the mannequins. Rosemary sewed for her entire family and generations of other families and friends...from elaborate wedding dresses to tailored men's suits to children's playwear.

In addition to her talents mentioned above, Rosemary is perhaps most remembered for her abundance of generosity and kindness. Giving gifts to others was something she enjoyed and was very important to her. Because of her spunky, positive and independent outlook on life, she was constantly surrounded by friends and acquaintances.

She enjoyed socializing with her neighbors who treated her with kindness and were always offering to lend a helping hand. On weekdays she drove herself daily to Northgate Mall where she was a familiar face to many employees at Macy's and Nordstrom. She was always warmly greeted at her local bank and grocery stores. Rosemary also loved entertaining friends and particularly enjoyed hosting family gatherings. The afternoon before her passing she had been busily shopping for groceries for Thanksgiving.

In addition to her four children, Rosemary's immediate family includes her sons-in-law Rod and Lonnie, daughter-in-law Julie, grandchildren Kim, Derek, Chrissy and Kenny, and step-grandchildren Larry and Brenna.

We will miss our mother/grandmother; not many like her pass through this world. Her Christian faith was a stalwart of her life and we take comfort in knowing she lived her life to the fullest. She has joined our father/grandfather and is now at home with the Lord.