Michelle and Bruce Kilby (daughter and son in-law friend)

I hope you and your family can seek some comfort through a poem I wrote. For your mother will always live on in your memories and be your strength through the difficult times. Your parents are together now in each other's arms and will be your guardian angels to help guide you and your family through times ahead.  Bruce and I send our love and condolences to both you and your family.

Connie Geier (Niece)

My deepest condolences on the passing of your dear mother. I will always remember Aunty Margaret as a cheerful, lovely lady who could dance up a storm! Unfortunately I will be out of country this Sunday, but I will definitely be thinking of you all and Aunty Margaret. May she rest in peace.

Donella Chong (niece)

So sad to hear the news about Auntie Margaret's passing. I hope she left this earth peacefully and knowing that her work was done. She had so many interests in addition to her family and obviously enjoyed teaching others and sharing her skills. Now she is able to reunite with Uncle Howie. Sincere condolences to you, Debbie, Cindy and your families who will miss her dearly, I'm sure. Hugs from Donella, Krysta and Kurtis

Christine Bernardi (granddaughter's friend)

I have very fond memories of your Grandma. She was such a fireball and had such joy about her. And her dancing. She tore up the floor at your wedding.

Linda Popata (fellow traveler on the Italy tour)

We will always remember your parents on the Italy coach tour 10 years ago.  Your parents were so special  everyone on that bus trip remembered them with such kindness. I'm sure you all have wonderful memories to share.  Our sincere condolences.

Jan Smith (daughter's friend)

Your mom touched and made a difference to many young lives as a teacher.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Abe & Tu Lee (nephew & wife from Toronto):

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and the rest of our family on the west coast. We're happy that we were able to come see Aunt Margaret last year when we did.

Michelle Wong-Con (niece):

Living up the street from my family, Auntie Margaret's presence was always woven into the quilt of my childhood. She looked after me in the summer when school was out for both of us but her teaching didn't stop. She gave me things to do to keep me occupied. One summer she let me help her paint her garage which was a great responsibility for a kid. It made me feel so grown up. And later she let me help babysit my baby cousin Aaron. I still remember how she laughed so hard when Aaron sneezed while I fed him beats. She laughed even harder when she saw the red beat speckles stained permanently onto my crisp new white shirt and laughed at my poor attempt at hiding my disgust.

As an adult she allowed me to assist her in teaching Chinese cooking classes for the Vancouver School Board. I learned a lot from observing those classes: cooking budgeting, prepping. But what I saw most of all was her passion for making her students laugh. Her best one-liner was this knife is duller than I am. It was met with big guffaws from her students. I must admit I borrowed that line a few times.  Thanks Auntie Margaret.  That was a good one.

Auntie Margaret graciously gave me her Chinese cooking classes when she retired. She gave me the recipes and the confidence to carry on what she started but her legacy at the school never faded. People often asked where Margaret was and how Margaret was doing. Her recipes for living life to the fullest will stay in my heart forever.

Jenny Catterall (grandson's partner)

I had the pleasure of getting to know Margaret in the last few years and I was struck by her positivity and lively personality. She would often take time to give me teaching tips and tell me stories about the education system when she herself was teaching. She also gave me advice for keeping those "bad" kids in line. She will be greatly missed and I am grateful for the chance to get to know her.

Mark Wong  (nephew)
I have fond memories as a child when we were growing up on Elliott street. 
Auntie Margaret was very good to me and I cherish the times we had during family dinners. 
The most enjoyable part of Auntie Margaret's dinners for me was her home made lemon meringue pie. My favorite! 
Always looked forward to it when I was a child. Couldn't get enough of it! 
Picture a happy child with lemon meringue pie crumbs all over my face.
Running around the house looking for fun.
That was me. Those memories will be with me forever!
Thank you Auntie Margaret!

Julie Imada (neighbour from her Pender St. home)

Margaret was such a lovely person.  She was such abubbly personality and I always enjoyed my visits with her.
She always had interesting things to talk about. I am so happy I got to meet and know both of your parents.Both she and your dad were such wonderful neighbours to have. 
They both helped me a lot after my mom passed away.

LISTEN WITH YOUR HEART

The world is a beautiful place with a lot to say
Take the time to listen , just listen everyday

Love with an open heart

Where there is love
You will find me

Where there is love
You will hear me

For I am there beside you
In the echoes of your mind

The whispering wind amongst
the trees

The rain gently falling

The waves upon the sea

The music inside you calling

Just listen, listen with your heart
Within our song we never part

Gordie Piper (grandson):

Here's a memory of when Po Po started drinking wine
As most of you all know Margaret loved her glass of wine. It all started when Cindy came over for a celebration dinner with an expensive bottle of French wine at the Elliot street house. Margaret had only tried alcohol once years before this instance and that didn't go over too well with her body. Nonetheless she had a glass of wine with Cindy, and while she didn't exactly appreciate the refinement of this wine, she knew she liked it and Po Po the wine lover was born. Her love of wine produced her infamous sayings when offered a glass of wine "I'd thought you'd never ask" and "Po Po doesn't have to work tomorrow"

Sean Cannon (grandson):
Out of all the great memories I have of PoPo, a few in particular come to mind: she would never hesitate to put out an amazing meal no matter the occasion. Her and Gong Gong were supportive from day one of all their children and grandchildren no matter the route life was taking them on. 

In 2004, most of the family accompanied them to China, and we got to see so much of their history and even some distant relatives. While we were sightseeing near Tiananmen Square, PoPo accidentally started following the wrong tour flag. You can imagine the panic and (retroactive) humour in trying to find a small little old Chinese lady in, well a sea of small little old Chinese ladies. Luckily smarter heads prevailed and she stopped trying to find us, and eventually Aaron came across her. 

She'll be greatly missed but luckily so many of her qualities continue on through her daughters, son in law and grandchildren.

Jessica and Aaron Spouler (grandchildren):
For the smallest person we knew, she had the biggest heart.  For her, there wasn't a line between family and friends.  This extended to our friends and significant others', who were welcomed without question.  Her accepting nature made her family bigger everywhere she went.
PoPo was someone with great integrity; she was always there for you when you needed her without enquiry or protest.  Her moral compass didn't waver, she stood up for what she believed.  And while she was on Chan time, she would always be there for you even if it was 45 minutes late.
She has inspired and passed on many of her admirable traits that we see every day in our family: her strength, her compassion to care and love for others, being able to make a friend anywhere, and her unfailing optimism.  Some of her passions became our passions, such as: travel, teaching, and the ability to create beautiful pieces of art.  Her love of cooking was contagious; we all have memories of cooking in her tiny kitchen making delicious feasts or yum cha.  
It's impossible to describe PoPo without Gong Gong, Howard Chan, as the two were inseparable. For as long as we knew them, they were always busy doing something.  In the garden, in the workshop, travelling, or doing taxes, they did everything together.  Not only was their work ethic indomitable, they put most people who call themselves organized to shame.    
The thing we admire most about PoPo, however, was her resilience and her ability to see the best in people.  We've heard her stories of having to move to Canada as a little girl, and had endured hardships we can't imagine.  Still, she listened to our problems with compassion. She accepted and loved us for who we are, supported us, and we are so grateful for the love and respect she had for us.  And that's something we'll always take with us.
As a final toast to PoPo, which is the toast that she loved to give, we want you to join us in three words that we feel embodies her, To food, family and friends. Amen.

Rebecca Close (granddaughter):
As all of you are surely aware, my Popo was an incredible woman in so many ways, she was like a Popo to so many people, more than just the five of us. Everyone who came across her would fall in love straight away, and how could you not?! Her joy of life, great sense of humour, amazing cooking skills and just her loving, caring and friendly nature would always draw people in.

I learned so much from Popo, one being the ability to cook for and host great parties, and love every minute of it, a skill many of my friends and family are thankful for! Some other wonderful gifts from Popo were her ability to just let loose and have fun enjoying life, like when she and Gong Gong ripped up the dance floor at my wedding; or eating a full 10 oz T-bone steak to the amazement of everyone  Where does she put it?!; To just be silly sometimes, a skill she and Gong Gong mastered over the years, one that we are all now practicing every day. And of course her ease in just saying exactly what she thinks, I think I got that one pretty early on!

I have worked away a lot in the past 15 years, so I missed out on a few important family events, but I was blessed she and gong gong were able to come see me both at work on ships and in England; but this last year I was especially lucky because I got to spend a lot of quality time with Popo here in Vancouver, especially with her living so close to my mom's house. I would go for a run and finish at her house to say hello, or just pop over to have a glass of wine. This taught me the most important thing ever, which is how important family is, and to cherish every moment with them. 

I will continue to learn from Popo in years to come, taking lessons from the memories she left me, through the characteristics she shared with our family and the little bits of Popo I see in all of us here today.

Deb Cannon (daughter):
Mom was my pillar of strength and sense of family throughout my life.  She was firm with us growing up but taught us important life lessons of independence, strength, a strong work ethic, and to try not to be judgemental, especially in a time when both Mom and Dad were judged for their ethnic background.   My favourite memory was Sunday dinners where there was lots of laughter and joking as we shared a meal in our Elliott Street home.  

Both Mom and Dad were so supportive of their family.  I recall them coming each year to the Dragon Boat Races that I competed in and cheered on our team.  In one race, we had both Mom and Dad at the front of procession leading our team to the race dock, with Mom wearing the team shirt and holding our team flag proudly, shouting out our Team name.

Their support and encouragement to always do my best is what has guided me to be where I am today. Mom gave me many gifts and lessons in life that I will always cherish.

Linda Spouler (daughter):

If there were words to describe Mom, these would be some:
Determined
Independent 
Tenacious
Loyal
Mischievous
Social
Loving
Proud
 
Here are my stories that depict these characteristics:
 
DETERMINED/INDEPENDENT 
Mom ordered the loveliest women's and children's dresses while she ran her dress shop.  I remember that the store was at the front of the house we lived in and sometimes we'd sneak into the shop to look at the dresses.  Mom had these paper lipstick protectors that the customers had to wear so that the dresses would not be soiled.  We also got to wear some pretty fancy dresses  even though all 3 of us had the same dress, but in a different colour.   She also an expert seamstress, and provided alternations to customers.  I remember her explaining to me why the pants with the yellow strip down each side was called banana pants by the RCMP.  I wish I was able to keep some of the silk stockings from her inventory when she closed the store in 1962.  

Mom was such a hard worker, even after she retired from teaching; she continued teaching Chinese cooking with the Vancouver School Board.  She enjoyed the lesson planning, shopping, explaining what the ingredients were to her students and overseeing them learn her techniques for successful and delicious Chinese dishes.  

Mom had such a green thumb, she loved gardening and her crops were so plentiful.  Even when we lived in Port Alice, I remember following her (along with the neighbour's dog Guppy) to the community garden and helped her dig, plant and reap her patch of garden.  It was always a puzzle to me why she had plastic plants indoors when outside was so green.


TENACIOUS 
While attending full time university, she booked a room at the Motel 2400 on Kingsway for the weekend to have some peace and quiet from her 3 adolescent daughters to study for her final exams.  
 
LOYAL
She was married to Howie Wowie for 60 years  full stop
She supported his desire to also create his own business, so during her teaching career he was able to create a construction company.
She was so supportive of our marriage to the Chinese family elders with their attitude of mixed marriages.

SOCIAL 
She loved to visit with all her family and friends.  
She welcomed any opportunity to have lunch, dinner and wine.  She loved to eat and had a good appetite for such a small person.  One of her favourite meals was an 8 oz. prime rib dinner which she was able to finish.  
She loved dessert - somewhat of a challenge for a diabetic.
We treasure the many family gatherings with good food and wine.  She was always willing to participate in board, dice and party games 
She also treasured her lunches with her sisters, Mandarin Club friends and colleagues.

LOVING and PROUD
Her family was extremely important and she never hesitated to support them all. 
She was so proud of all the accomplishments of her family.

MISCHIEVOUS 
I remember her sharing stories and a picture of a fashion show she put on while owning the dress shop in Port Alice.  As the last model, she came out wearing a burlap sack with a giant red bow.
During family celebrations, there were always munchies and snacks.  She was so funny to watch to see if she could "get away" with things. At a family dinner, she wasn't supposed to have too many chips, but she asked each grandchild to give her some, which gave her more than what she was supposed to have. 
During a Sunday family gathering, many people declined another glass of wine, however, Mom pipes up with "Popo doesn't have to work tomorrow!"
This Mischievous has definitely been passed on to daughters and grandchildren.

OBITUARY

Margaret Cheryl Chan

March 6, 1927 – January 12, 2016

Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park

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