Nancy was born on July 14, 1932, in Canton, China. She emigrated to Canada in 1954 with her mother Kwan-Ho Woo Jang and siblings Kenneth and Pon Woy to join their father Bak Yee Jang in Calgary, Alberta. The family worked together running the Sun On Food Store and Restaurant started by Nancy’s father.
Nancy met her husband to be in Steveston, British Columbia, in 1959 while visiting friends. Why Hum “Patrick/Pat” was working for the Imperial Cannery Company at the time. They married on May 15, 1960 in Calgary, but resided in Vancouver until 1962, when the couple moved back to Calgary. They joined the family in running mainly the restaurant side of Sun On and also started a family of their own having their son Doug, then three years later Eva.
In 1985, with the sale of the Sun On, Nancy and Pat started the Copper Kettle Restaurant in Marda Loop. Pat was in charge of the kitchen and Nancy worked mostly in the front of the restaurant, always taking the time to chat with customers with her friendly nature. Many of them became “regulars” stopping by daily for a coffee and to get caught up with the news of the day. Nancy and Pat retired together in 1999.
Nancy had been an active member of the Wu Yi Association of Calgary for many decades. She loved getting together with members to celebrate special times of the year including Christmas, summer picnics/BBQs and the volunteer work they shared in.
Over the years, Nancy has travelled near and far including Hong Kong, mainland China, San Diego, Los Angeles, Hawaii, Banff, Lethbridge, Waterton, Vancouver, Victoria, Niagara Falls and London, Ontario.
Nancy was incredibly proud of her children and her grandchildren. She shared in their accomplishments and adventures and had a unique bond with them. She was adept at sewing and made some of her own clothes, knitted scarves, sweaters and vests and excelled at intricate bead and sequin work in her younger years, until arthritis made this difficult. Playing Mah Jong with friends brought her much delight and she was very good at winning. She also loved Chinese music and listening to the radio in her later years and watching Chinese television. Sitting out on the back deck of her home on a sunny day and watching the activity in the park gave her much pleasure.
Nancy is survived by her husband of 62 years, Why Hum “Patrick”; her son Doug (Pauline); daughter Eva (Walter Kay); grandchildren Natalie, Jordan, Jonathan and Michael; her brother Kenneth Jang; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her mother Kwan-Ho Woo Jang; father Bak Yee Jang and sister Pon Woy Chiang.
Our family would like to thank the entire staff of Unit 82 at the Foothills Hospital and Dr. S. Chacko for their exceptional care, as well as those who cared for Nancy at home; Hilary from Vytality at Home, Ryan P. from Integrated Home Care Seniors Team and Lukasz Z. from Integrated Home Care Heart Failure Team and Dr. V. Phillips.
A Funeral Service will be held at Foster’s Garden Chapel 3220 - 4 Street N.W., Calgary, Alberta on Monday, September 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. The family has requested for masks to be worn for the service.
An Interment will follow at Queen’s Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Foothills Hospital via the Calgary Health Foundation at https://www.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca/ or the Heart and Stroke Foundation at https://www.heartandstroke.ca/ if you wish.
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