In memory of
Lilly Kwan
November 20, 1962 -
March 25, 2024
Lilly Kwan, affectionately known as "Mama Kwan" to her children's friends, passed away on March 25, 2024, at the age of 61 in Toronto. Born in Belize, Lilly was the oldest of the Belize-born children in a close-knit family, taking on a maternal role and caring for her younger siblings. Her love and warmth extended beyond her immediate family to numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Born in Belize, Lilly was one of ten siblings, with six born in China and five in Belize. Her family upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility and compassion, which she carried throughout her life. Additionally, Lilly's diverse linguistic background reflected her multicultural upbringing. She was fluent in Spanish, Toishanese, Cantonese, and English, a testament to her remarkable quadrilingual skills.
Lilly dedicated over 30 years of her life to a career at Scotiabank, where she made lasting impressions with her unwavering dedication and commitment. However, her true passion lay in her family and hobbies. She found joy in spending quality time with her husband Kenny, son Bryan, and daughter Tiffany, embracing every opportunity for family gatherings and game nights. Lilly had a special affinity for video games, particularly Shop Titans, Overcooked, and Switch Sports, where she excelled at volleyball. She also enjoyed challenging herself with sudoku and word puzzles.
Known for her vibrant personality, Lilly's presence lit up any room she entered. She was fun-loving, loud, and kind-hearted, always putting others before herself. Raised in a bustling household, Lilly valued family above all else and embodied the spirit of selflessness and generosity. Her love languages were acts of service and quality time, exemplified by the hours she spent meticulously peeling oranges for her loved ones, removing even the tiniest fiber bits.
In addition to her love for her family, Lilly had a soft spot for animals, with her WhatsApp profile always adorned with pictures of various creatures. She was particularly obsessed with a wild turkey that she encountered daily while driving her daughter to work. This turkey even made it on the local news: "Scarborough's wandering turkey caught after evading capture for months."
Lilly's memory will endure through the countless lives she enriched with her boundless kindness, infectious laughter, and unwavering love. Her ability to find humour in every situation brought joy to all who knew her.