Wai Heung Chan
1942-2020
It is with sadness that the family of the late Wai Heung Chan
announces her death at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital on Saturday,
December 5, 2020, at the age of 78. Born in Canton, China, on October
17, 1942, she was the wife of Wing Hung Foo Chan of Fredericton. Wai
and Wing are perhaps best known as proprietors of the former Pink
Pearl Restaurant in Fredericton, NB.
In addition to her husband, Wing, Wai leaves behind her
children, Norman Chan of Fredericton, Rosemary Roy (Paul) of North
Carolina and Clara Chan of Florida; grandchildren, Alexander Roy and
Benjamin Roy; sister, Wai Kuen Wong (Kim) and brother, Wai Check Mah
(Jean); nephews, Kenneth Mah and Kai Wong; nieces, Sharlene Mah, Linda
Wong and Mae Wong.
Wai was predeceased by her parents, Hoi Kan Mah and Wuet Hoi
Mah, and sister, Wai Kuen Wong.
Wai emigrated to Canada through Hong Kong in 1965 where she
met her long-time husband, Wing. They were married in 1965 staying
briefly in Saint John before relocating to Moncton where Clara was
born. The family moved shortly thereafter to their long time home of
Fredericton where both Rosemary and Norman were born and the family
grew up.
Wai and Wing worked at several restaurants before deciding to
open their own restaurant in 1989 (The Pink Pearl) located adjacent to
the Police station on Queen Street in Fredericton. Unfortunately, this
restaurant was destroyed by fire in 1995. After a few years of early
retirement, Wai and Wing decided it was time to revive The Pink Pearl,
building in a new location on Queens street across from Officers
Square in 1998. The restaurant closed for the last time in 2001. Both
restaurants were very popular and received several write-ups in travel
magazines and guides. For years afterwards her regulars still called
them up begging for Wai to cater with some of her specialized
dishes.
There will be a visitation at McAdam’s Funeral Home on
Thursday, January 7, 2021 from 2:00 – 4: 00 pm and 7:00 – 9:00 pm. For
those unable to attend in person, please join the following links to
view the visitations:
from 2:00 – 4:00 pm: vimeo.com/497253100
from 7:00 – 9:00 pm: vimeo.com/497253469.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Wai’s memory can
be made to The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada ( www.heartandstroke.ca
).
www.mcadamsfh.com
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Wai Heung Chan 19422020..
Death notice for the town of: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick