Lucilla Kwai-Ying Leung

It is with a very heavy heart that we announce the passing of Lucilla Kwai-Ying Leung on February 13th, 2022 at the age of 74 in Winnipeg. She will be sadly missed by her husband Alan, of 47 years; children Carmen (Tom), Calvin and Carrie; grandchildren, Riley, Jasmine, Haylee and Phoenix; siblings Paul (Jackie) and Barbara (Jeremy); and nieces and nephews, Stephen, Janice, Denise and Wendy.

Lucilla (盧桂英) was born in Hong Kong and is predeceased by her parents Lo Fu (盧富) and Kwok Yuk Lin (郭玉蓮) who owned a noodle shop. She attended Belilios Public School (庇理羅士女子中學), which was (and still is) one of the most prestigious secondary schools in Hong Kong, and then Northcote College of Education (羅富國教育學院) to become an elementary school teacher. After teaching for 2 years, she decided to leave home to start a new life in Canada. In 1969 she moved to Winnipeg on her own to attend the University of Manitoba where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1972.

In 1965, Lucilla met her husband Alan (梁華山) at a dance party in Hong Kong. They dated for many years before marrying in May of 1974 in Rugby, England. They lived in England for just a short period of time, as Lucilla found the weather in Winnipeg more appealing (even with the frigid winters). They moved back to Winnipeg 6 months later where they established their roots and started a family. Lucilla devoted her entire career of almost 40 years to the University of Manitoba as a Library supervisor. While she worked full time in the library in the daytime, she also supported her husband’s businesses (The Dragon Store, Sunco Foods and LUAL Imports) in the evenings and on weekends. She was the definition of hard-working. Lucilla enjoyed hosting gatherings to feast, sing karaoke, dance and play her favorite game – mahjong! Whether she played at high levels with her skilled friends, or just for fun with her grandchildren, she would never say no to a round or two. She loved bringing people together, always welcoming everyone around her and making sure no one left with an empty belly. Lucilla also loved to travel and always made time for family vacations. She enjoyed experiencing new things, trying out different foods and shopping. When she wasn’t travelling, she and Alan’s exuberant personalities and leadership skills allowed them both to be active and contributing members within the Winnipeg Chinese community.

Lucilla’s family meant the world to her and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for her children and grandchildren. She was happiest when she was surrounded by her family, especially by her grandchildren, eating together, and sharing stories of the past and the present.

Lucilla’s caring nature, generosity, warm heart and laughter will be dearly missed. As she rests in peace, reunited with her parents, we will always remember her and keep her close to our hearts.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, February 25th, 2022 by invitation only at Thomson ‘In the Park’ Funeral Home. The viewing will begin at 10:30 am and the service will be at 11:30 am. A reception will follow. All guests are required to wear a mask and show proof of vaccination.

Friends and family may also join the service virtually by accessing the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/N2tzM-5G_oU

A private family interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly ask for donations to be made to one of the following:

Diabetes Canada http://crm2.diabetes.ca/goto/Lucilla_Leung or to the Kidney Foundation https://kidney.akaraisin.com/ui/PersonalPages/p/Luci