Loi Du (余陳卓英) was born in Namhoi, China on October 10, 1918 and is survived by her children: Betty, Jane (Tony), 華 (娟), 強 (玉), Viviane (Vinh) and John (Mandy); grandchildren: Tom (Mona), Susan (David), Kimberley (Arthur), Linda (Loi), Angela (John), Alexandra (Will), and Anthony (Anne-Laure); great-grandchildren: Alexa, Layson, Logan, Jonathan, Zachary, Lynkin and Joshua.

She faced multiple upheavals over her lifetime -- escaping the Second Sino-Japanese War with her late husband, 余三多, and settling in Saigon, only to be displaced once more by the Vietnam War. From Vietnam, she travelled to the safety of Hong Kong and finally, in 1981, arrived in Canada and achieved final refuge with her family in Toronto.

In the city, she was a well-recognized member of her community; her daily walks through Grange Park and Chinatown would often be interspersed with conversations with neighbours. She also loved a fierce game of Mahjong with her family and friends.

Loi Du is remembered for her incredible culinary talent. In her modest kitchen, she could transform an everyday dish into something surprising and delightful, or just as easily prepare extravagant, multi-course meals for the entire family. Her cooking was an expression of her love.

Over the course of her 102 years of life, she was loved and respected by many friends and acquaintances, as she was always willing to help and never asked for anything in return. Her courage, strength, and generosity were extraordinary and are a source of her family’s pride and inspiration.

Sadly, Loi Du passed peacefully, reuniting at last with her beloved late husband, in the early evening hours of Thursday, March 25, 2021 with her children and grandchildren by her bedside. Her family and friends will miss her beaming smile and unconditional love, and will forever carry her memory in their hearts.

The celebration of Loi Du’s life will be held on April 1st at 11:00am EST at Mount Pleasant Funeral Centre. Due to the current pandemic restrictions, it will be a small gathering for immediate family only. A live stream will be available for those who wish to join in the remembrance remotely.

Friends and relatives may express their condolences on the guestbook page. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Chester Village https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/broadview-foundation/, which took care of Loi Du in her final years, or University Settlement https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/28190/, an organization that contributed so much to her family and where Loi Du was proud to be an active volunteer.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at Chester Village for their exceptional care of Loi Du during her last years and to all those that sent their love and prayers during this difficult time.