It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Josephine Wan-Yee Chow on July 16th, 2021. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Josephine was born in Hong Kong on November 2, 1950. Being the youngest child and the only daughter of the Chow’s family, she was adored by her parents and two older brothers. She attended the St. Francis’ Canossian College for both elementary and secondary education and studied English Literature at the Hong Kong Baptist University. Through her studies Josephine accumulated an impressive collection of books which her family still greatly admires to this day. After graduation, she spent a year teaching English in a secondary school and then joined the civil services of Hong Kong Government working in the Housing Authority, where she met and married Sam Wong, her companion of life.
Josephine dedicated her life to her family as a devoted wife and mother. After working nearly 18 years in Housing Authority and was about to advance to a higher management position, she selflessly gave up her own career in 1996 at the age of 45 and immigrated to Canada to secure a better education for her two sons, Kenneth and Dennis. Kenneth, who had a forgettable time in the highly regarded Diocesan Boys’ School in Hong Kong, completed a Bachelor in Computer Science at University of British Columbia and Master of Business Administration at City University of Hong Kong. Dennis, who failed grade 6 math in elementary school, went on to complete a PhD in Microbiology at University of British Columbia and MD at University of Toronto, and he is now a specialist in Internal Medicine and Clinical immunology and Allergy. She taught her sons to live their lives to the fullest with loyalty, honesty, modesty and integrity. Most importantly, Josephine supported her sons through their ups and downs, and her words of encouragement and comfort held the world together for them whenever they encountered challenges.
To support Sam in obtaining his professional accounting designation, Josephine took care of the entire family and home in all aspects almost alone for the first two years in Canada. With Josephine’s full support, Sam eventually obtained CPA designation and successfully acquired a management and professional job in the Treasury Department of the University of British Columbia in 1999.
Josephine was a good-hearted person who truly loved helping others. She was a person who devoted herself to make a difference in the world. Through the sponsorship program of the World Vision, she had been gifting for more than 20 years supporting children of various poor and developing countries for change of life and improvement of education and living environment. She was also a long-term donor to various charitable organizations in Canada. Even when she was ill, she proactively provided encouragement to other fellow patients based on her own experience and was delighted to see her effort bringing a change to others.
Josephine was predeceased by her father Chow Kuen Man, and her elder brother Chow Hing Kai. She was survived by her mother Wong Mui Ying, elder brother Chow Hing Chuen Louis, and sister-in-law Cecilia Chow. She will be missed dearly by her beloved husband of 40 years, Sam, her sons, Kenneth and Dennis, daughters-in-law, Sally and Eileen, three beloved granddaughters, Chelsea, Courtney and Charlotte along with numerous cousins and relatives in Hong Kong, Australia, Canada and US.
The absence of her love will leave a gaping hole in the lives of her family and friends. She will be remembered for her immense kindness, selflessness and generosity. Josephine will be forever loved and never forgotten.
A funeral service will be held on July 29th, 2021.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the BC Cancer Foundation in Josephine’s memory at bccancerfoundation.com/Josephine_Chow
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Josephine Wan-Yee Chow July 16th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Aldergrove, Province: Colombie britanique