LIVE EVENT LINK: https://evt.live/lillian-chan

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our mother, Lillian Chan (June 17, 1949 – Aug 2, 2026). She was a faithful daughter of God and a pioneer artist/educator of her time. She was the first Chinese woman in Markham to start Little Big Art School in 1993, a place where a lot of the current creative minds started their journeys. Her students called her Auntie Lillian, and we sometimes called her the same. She wanted the school to be a place to share her passion and love for God and to inspire and educate creative talents.

Her unconventional creative journey started when she was much younger. She went with a friend to Israel to start a Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in 1971 (per Uncle Stephen Ho).  While there, she sidetracked and became the first Chinese nursing student in Israel where she learned to speak Hebrew. A proud, fun fact that she shared with every Jewish person she encountered.

When she left Israel and immigrated to Montreal, she continued to pursue a path in the fine arts. Some of her earlier masterpieces, both paintings and ceramic work, were highly praised by professors who encouraged her to pursue her artistic status. She chose to be an educator instead and completed an art education degree from Concordia University as she wanted to inspire the younger generation. She was deeply rooted in sharing her talent and God’s love. She often said that the school, perched on a small hill, was like a light shining to glorify God’s name in Markham.

Lillian had a gift for bringing beauty into everything around her. Within our family, she was affectionately known as "the rabbi" because she was unceasingly sharing stories of God's faithfulness and reminding us of His love. She was also a warrior. Over the course of her life, she endured 13 surgeries, with faith and suffering, and her courage persevered. She never stopped working hard to regain her strength by faithfully doing her exercises. We walked so often that we became the neighbourhood watch. Mom, we got your strength and stubbornness for life.

Her life was marked by sufferings and faith, but like Canaan, her life witnessed the everlasting promise of God’s presence, strength, and grace. This is the legacy she leaves behind.

We know our mother, Auntie Lillian, would be happy to continue the witness of God’s love and salvation. For expressions of sympathy, donations to emascanada.org/ would be appreciated. Please indicate that the donation is for "Hannah and Erin in memory of their mother" for future mission trips.