Yuk Kwun Ip (nee Lam) was born in Canton City, China a century ago. She passed on January 10th 2025 in Mississauga ON Canada at the grand old age of 101

Yuk Kwun was pre-deceased by her parents, Lam Kui Wing (father) and Lee Chun (mother), Ip Yue (husband) and infant son Ip Dat Lam, 3 step sons: Sam Ip, Dr. Stephen Ip and Thomas Ip. Also predeceased by 2 brothers Lam Sik Yuen, Lam Sik Kwai, and 3 sisters Lam Yuk Kam, Lam Ching, Chan Yuk Tao.

She was survived by:
• 6 children and their partners, Stephen (Viviana), Virginia, Helen (Harry), Frances (Danny), Judy (Alan), May
• 6 grandsons, granddaughters and their partners: Jonathan, Jason, Jennifer, Christopher, Catherine, Alana, Coty, Evan, Andre
• her youngest sister Chan Yuk Mei.

Yuk Kwun was born in China in an age of great turmoil – world war, foreign occupation, economic devastation. She met and married her husband of 42 years October 19th1941 and moved to Hong Kong ahead of communist forces taking over China in 1949. There in Hong Kong, they raised and educated 6 children (they lost one in infancy), working hard in the restaurant business to provide food, shelter, education and health care for a big family, through economic vicissitudes with no government support.

Thanks to her sister Yuk Tao and her husband Peter Chan who generously acted as sponsors, in 1972 the whole family immigrated to the wonderful country of Canada where the children (younger ones) continued with their education, going to high school, and then universities, and the older ones found good jobs, a typical immigration success story. Eventually, the children got married and produced lovely grandchildren. Her children are all seniors now and are enjoying comfortable retirement, travelling the world and generally having a good time.

Yuk Kwun was a great homemaker but also a fashionista who loved beautiful clothes and shoes. She dressed well and was always immaculately put together when she went out, hair coiffed and nails painted. She also insisted that the family look good as well and she tirelessly made beautiful outfits for her little girls. She also made a well decorated home with furniture sets for every room. There were Christmas trees and stockings stuffed with surprise gifts, and for Chinese New Year, there would be peach trees in full bloom in the living room, and pots of chrysanthemums and vases with gladioli, sugar and crunchy savory snacks and lucky money packets.

She was no slouch when she left her house to ferry the children to and from school, to the beach and on her shopping sprees. She bought a car and got a driver’s license, rare for females back in 1957 Hong Kong and challenged other drivers on the road to see who’s better at maneuvering the steep and winding roads of Hong Kong.

Above all else, she was a business woman who built businesses with her husband and helped him run restaurants to make money to support the family.

They retired when they moved to Canada. They made interesting new dishes for family and friends to enjoy. They travelled to Florida to enjoy the warmth and sunshine. After her husband died, she spent her leisure time playing mahjong with friends and relatives, travelling to see all the wonderful sites in China and Europe and cruising the Caribbean. Even when she was too old and frail to travel, she would still want to be driven to various parks along the lake and going out to eat her favourite Chinese dishes. So altogether, she enjoyed a pretty good retirement.

She lived to a really good old age of 101 and saw her children settled, her grandchildren thrive, living good lives. Still, we are all very sad that she moved on, and we will miss her greatly. As an old Chinese saying goes: there is no feast that does not end no matter how good. We will continue to remember fondly and with gratitude her love for us and the time we got to spend together.