Guifang Zhang

Born on March 26, 1939, in Tianjin, China, she grew up in Tianjin and graduated from Tianjin Normal University before embarking on a career in Chinese Language Art, teaching in some high schools.

Above all, my mother dedicated her life to her family and her professional career. She was a loving and devoted mother who instilled values of kindness, compassion, and resilience in me and my sister. She will be remembered for her gentle words, warm smile, generous spirit and her passion for Chinese brush painting.

She is survived by her husband Shouye Yao; son Kai Yao; daughter Jijun Yao; granddaughter Juyin Yu; grandson Kyle Yao; granddaughter Xiyin Yu; and great grandson Gunnar Hughes. She also leaves behind a host of extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.

A Chinese idiom says:

Peach and plum trees do not speak, yet a path is formed beneath them.

It's the best description of her personality. She quietly helped others and extended her love to family and strangers alike.

Relatives and friends are invited to a Visitation held at Foster’s Garden Chapel, 3220 – 4 Street N.W., Calgary (across from Queen’s Park Cemetery) on Monday, May 18, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

A Funeral Service will be held at Foster's Garden Chapel on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.