Tsao Fa Sent

Tsao Fa (Jeannette) Sent passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 20th, 2022 at home at the age of 93 years. Born in September of 1929, Tsao Fa spent most of her formative years in Meixian, China, where she qualified as a teacher. In 1947, she took the brave leap to wed a charming Line Fong Ching (Lionel) Sent, and moved across the ocean to East London, South Africa. She was deeply involved in the Chinese community, at times teaching Chinese to youth at the East London Chinese School. Jeannette became an independent shopkeeper and was proud to be a property owner in her own right. She is known for her hospitality, cheerfulness and enthusiasm, always ready to walk up to a stranger and to start a friendship, and keeping an open home to travelers. In 2008, Tsao Fa and Line Fong journeyed across another ocean to settle in Calgary, Canada for their retirement years. Constantly active, Jeannette enjoyed gardening, aerobics, lawn-bowling and tai chi, in addition to her daily walks. Her hands were never idle, as she knitted, colored, cooked and played mahjong. She lived a life marked by resilience and fortitude, deep love and friendship, bravery and determination to live her life beyond others expectations.

She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her 8 children, 15 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren, and their families:

Children: Lorna (Clifford Chan-Yan), Lynnette (Jan Swart – deceased), Brenda (Christopher Low), Sandra, Evan (Stephanie), Matthew, Leon (Cynthia), Pamela (Michael Webb)

Grandchildren: Deborah Chan-Yan (Keith Anderson), Sharon Chan-Yan (Daniel Jenkin), Charisse Low (Jackie Ma), Jaclyn Low (Justin Wallace), Lara Low (Alice Markie), John (Gong-Sen) Chu, Cherry Tak (Carl Fung), Jonathan Tak (Tarin), Catherine Sent, Sean Sent, Ashleigh Sent, Michael Sent, Daniel Webb, Rachel Webb, Joshua Sent.

Great-grandchildren: Taryn, Cassidy, and Brendan Anderson; Wesley, Gabriel and Samuel Jenkin, Caitlin and Oliver Ma, Madeleine and Annabelle Wallace, Jessica and Michelle Fung, Benjamin and Christopher Tak

Sadly predeceased by her husband, Lionel (2011), and sons, Thomas (1949) and Deane (1971).

Those wishing to pay their respects are invited to a visitation on Saturday, November 26th from 7:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Foster’s Garden Chapel (3220 4th Street NW, Calgary AB). A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, November 27th at 10:00 A.M. at Foster’s Garden Chapel. Live-Streaming of the Funeral Service is available upon request. Tributes are welcome to be left on the online guest book.

Tsao Fa will be interred at Mountainview Cemetery in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Donations in Mrs. Sent’s name will be gratefully accepted by Hong Ning Chinese Aged Home (429 Marshall Street, Jeppestown, Johannesburg), Calgary Tsung Tsin Benevolent Association (114 3rd Ave SW, Calgary, AB, T2P0E7), and Calgary Health Foundation, designated to Carewest (www.calgaryhealthfoundation.ca).