Saharra Drayton (First Great-Granddaughter)

Entered February 4, 2023

I’ll love you forever Bak Bak~ 🤍

Oma Sharma (Friend of Rose Kwan)

Entered February 5, 2023 from Toronto

With deepest sympathy on your loss. May she rest in peace.

Lisa Pennacchioli (Friend of Rose and Roy)

Entered February 5, 2023

Rosie,
Such beautiful photos and wonderful memories.
Although we didn’t know her, we’re certain she was a strong, independent force-of-nature kind of woman!
And the resemblance is uncanny!
On behalf of Gianni , Paolo and myself, our sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Celine Ng tong (Friend of Rose Kwan)

Entered February 6, 2023 from London

My deepest condolences to the whole family. What lovely pictures and stories, clearly this was a loving, dedicated, funny, strong and independent woman who led a family full of similar souls. Sending lots of love all of your way.

Susanne Scherer (Friend of Rose)

Entered February 6, 2023 from Pickering

Dear Rose
My deepest condolences on the loss of your mom. My top three memories of her are through the impact she had on you: The inscription “Don’t tell Mom” at your brother’s funeral representing love, respect and yes maybe a bit of healthy fear 😊; the warm and loving way that Roy spoke of your mom showing how welcoming she was; and how often she came up in conversation, never far from your thoughts. She was a strong guiding presence to you and the rest of the family. Take care and sending lots of love to you and the family.
Love Susanne and John

Shui Sin raised her daughters to be strong, self-sufficient and determined individuals. She can take credit for my strength (and my stubboness). She enjoyed travel, being out for family meals surrounded by her grand children and great grand children. She was a quiet person and often subdued, but when she smiled, you could not help but smile along with her. My mother was such an active, strong and independent person, she fooled me into thinking she could live forever. But she had other plans. I know in my heart, she parted ways with us on her terms, it was short, sweet, peacful and without a fuss.

My message to my mother, you sacrificed so much for us, we will never fully comprehend what you gave up. You fought the battles you could and with the rest, you handled the burden in silence. You taught me duty, responsility and discipline, because of you, I pushed myself to take risks. It is hard letting you go, but I know you are happy and at peace now because you are with Rob and Father.

My Pau Pau was an amazingly strong woman. She grew up in times when women had very few rights. Despite the obstacles she faced as a young mother raising her two young daughters back home, she would not let society dictate what she could and could not do. Not many people know this, but she fought for women’s rights and was the first female volleyball player at her high school. She was the matriarch of our family and showed the four generations of women how to represent themselves proudly. I believe the fight in me, the determination in me, and the stoic demeanor I have is because of my Pau Pau. I will forever cherish all the moments I had with her – she taught me all of our traditions, which I will forever be grateful for and will carry forward and teach my daughters.

Pau Pau, I will miss you but know one thing, you were a Phenomenal Woman and I hope my girls and I are half of what you were. Please give grandfather and Uncle Rob a big hug from me.

To my Pau Pau, you were a Phenomenal Woman:
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I’m telling lies.
I say,
It’s in the reach of my arms,
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It’s the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can’t touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them,
They say they still can’t see.
I say,
It’s in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

Now you understand
Just why my head’s not bowed.
I don’t shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing,
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It’s in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need for my care.
’Cause I’m a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That’s me.

THAT WAS MY PAU PAU

There was no one else in this world quite like my mom. She was STRONG, DETERMINED, yet, STUBBORN. Every single woman in our family inherited these good qualities from my mom......but I think I did the most!

Mom, I will miss you. You will always be loved and in my heart. xoxox

It was a hot, sunny, humid day in Cuba and there’s mom with her shades, not breaking a sweat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen mom sweat.

She had in front of her a mound of sliced guava on a plate, there was a look of utter bliss on her face. As per usual, she offered me some guava, I replied, no, thank you. I’m not hungry. She then tried to convince me, it’s so good, it’s sweet. I shut her down, no, I don’t like guava. Mom looks at me and says, you never did like fruit. I thought she would continue, but to my surprise she proceeded to tell me a story. Back in China, before your father and I were married, we were walking and saw a tree with ripe guava, your father knew how much I liked guava, he climbed the tree, he was so strong and athletic, it was not a problem for him. He was plucking the guava and dropping it down to me to catch. We ran off with our guava before we were caught. The guava so was good. She chuckled with the fond memory that went back 57 years. At that moment she looked like she was a teenager again, full of fun, adventure and dreams. I took a few slices of guava from mom’s plate, took a bite and told her I really liked it. From that day onward, whenever I see guava, I think of this story and think of mom.

To my great-grandmother, Bak Bak, you were always so attentive when you saw me. You were humorous in never failing to recognize my imperfections every time we spent time together. However, I knew it was your way of telling me you cared and that you were paying attention to my well-being. I saw you as our family “Queen Pin” – whenever I saw each other, it never failed, you would pull out of one of your secret pockets, a red envelope for me. Those red envelopes were never-ending from you, and I am forever grateful for all that you have done for me. I LOVE YOU, you will always hold a special place in my heart. Rest in eternal peace.

Love, Saharra xoxox