In memory of

Hui Chiu Li

August 29, 1955 -  February 4, 2024


It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Li Hui Chiu (Nancy), aged 68 years on February 4, 2024. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Southlake Hospital with her loving husband Li Chiang Fen (Thomas) and two children Christopher and Mark by her side. She is dearly loved and will be greatly missed by her grandchildren – Evelyn, Aria and Ian.

Li Hui Chiu was born in Kolkata, India on August 29, 1955. She was the eldest of the 12 siblings.
She was a loving daughter and sister who cared about her family and put their needs first before hers. She started working as a hair stylist at a very young age and took it upon herself to take care of her family. Her journey as a hair stylist started from Snow White beauty salon in Kolkata where her cousin Jenny taught her how to cut hair. There she found her true calling as being a hair stylist and has been cutting hair ever since. In the months preceding her death, at one of her doctor's appointments, her doctor asked her "What would you like to be able to do once you get better?" Her response was "I want to be able to cut people's hair". This shows how much she loved being a hair stylist.

She was a brave young woman who traveled to Pune, Bangalore and New Delhi in search for work at a very young age. She finally settled in New Delhi and worked at Lakme Beauty Salon, Ashoka Hotel. Lakme Beauty Salon was where her career blossomed. She became the go to hair stylist to all the clients there. Whenever a new client entered the beauty salon, they would ask for her.
She was very hard-working; on some days she didn't even get time to eat her lunch because there was a steady stream of clients waiting for her. From there she moved to La Belle Salon, Le Meridien Hotel. And later opened her own hair salon called Oscar. Wherever she went her clients followed.
She considers herself lucky that she was able to get a chance to cut the hair of famous people like Margaret Thatcher (former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom), Bollywood stars like Jaya Bachchan. Her clients ranged from air-hostess to politicians and ambassador's wives.

Although she was quiet and reserved, she was a quick learner.
She didn't let her lack of education stop her from speaking English with her customers. She was not educated in an English medium school, but she learned it while talking to her customers and listening to people talk. Every free time she found at work, she would look at magazines and try to teach herself English.

She was soft spoken, a great listener and patient.
She was not only loved and cherished by her family and siblings, but also by her clients, some of whom to this day have kept close in touch with her.
She was a loving and caring friend to her friends back in India.
She was a devoted Christian who loved Lord Jesus Christ and his church.

She will be profoundly missed and lovingly remembered by her loved ones and we will cherish the beautiful memories that we all shared. She will forever live on in all our hearts.

May her soul rest in peace.

A visitation will be held on Friday February 9, 2024 from 1:00pm - 2:30pm at
Elgin Mills Cemetery
1591 Elgin Mills Road East, Richmond Hill, Ontario.

The cremation will be held at 3:00 pm

We will not be accepting any donations.

Guestbook 

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Lina teng (Niece)

Entered February 7, 2024 from Austria

May her soul rest in peace

Eleanor Chang (Niece)

Entered February 7, 2024 from Secunderabad, India

Rest in peace! Heartfelt condolences to the family. May Lord Jesus give you the strength and be with you all in this difficult time.

Dorothy Lo & Eric Chen (Niece)

Entered February 8, 2024

We offer our condolences.

Vineeta (Friend and hair stylist)

Entered February 8, 2024 from Bombay ..India

I have know Dear Nancy from the early Ninety's.
Even after moving to Bombay i only went to Nancy for my hair. There has never been and will never be a finer stylist than Nancy. God rest her soul in peace..she has always been a very fine and beautiful person and will forever be missed

Sophia Lo and family (Niece)

Entered February 8, 2024 from Toronto, Ontario

Our deepest condolences to Thai Yee Chong and family. May Thai ah Yee’s soul rest in peace.

Photos 

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