Born in Nanaimo B.C. Canada on January 2,1927,
Lillian Rita Lee (nee: Lillian Suey Ting Mah) 李馬瑞清 passed away in Vancouver, Canada on June 16, 2022, at the age of 95.
Lil’s family were pioneers in BC, as far back as the Barkerville Gold Rush, who later settled in Nanaimo where they ran a fruit and vegetable store. She then met her husband Wally Lee 李華英 in Vancouver when she was working as a bank teller in Chinatown. After they married and had children, they ran a local grocery store. Later, Lil worked as a legal secretary and helped Wally run China Arts and Crafts.
Lil volunteered for decades in the Chinese Canadian community, and was one of the first female founding board members of both the Vancouver Chinese Cultural Centre (CCC) and Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens. She was also Vice-Chair of the CCC Women’s Committee, focusing on fundraising and creating the original Chinatown tours.
Lil was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother - loved by all for her vivacious personality, humour, strength of conviction, and generosity. With her kind demeanor, bright smile, infectious laugh, and ability to speak Cantonese, Toisan, and English, she helped many people in the community and made friends easily. She welcomed family, friends, and those around her with open arms. She was an incredible cook of both Western and Chinese food, baked the best apple pies, and threw fantastic parties.
She was predeceased by her husband Wally Lee 李華英, survived by her children Brian, Cheryl, Karin, and Leanne, and granddaughters Laura, Galina, Naiya, Sahali, and Erica.
Lil will forever be remembered and loved by her family and many friends. May she rest in peace.
Funeral Service:
Date: Tuesday, July 5th at 10:00am
Location: Forest Lawn Chapel, Burnaby B.C.
Visitation:
Date: Monday July 4th from 7:30pm - 9:30pm
Location: Forest Lawn Chapel, Burnaby B.C.
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