Catherine Lai-Yee Ho, my dear mother, ended her 16 year long war with cancer in the early morning of January 26, 2021. She passed peacefully in her sleep, with her loving and loyal husband and son by her bedside to the last breath.
My mother was born on November 25, 1960 and lived her life in the booming city of Hong Kong until she met and fell in love with a boy named Simon at the age of 20. Together, they decided to start a new life in Canada, moving to Edmonton, Alberta in 1987.
Catherine was first and foremost a dedicated wife and mother. Throughout all the trials of Simon starting his own business in a brand new country, she was there by his side supporting him. And when I joined them in 1992, she was there caring for and teaching me as well.
But what ended up defining her in these last few years is how much of a fighter my mother turned out to be. Catherine was diagnosed with glioblastoma, fatal brain cancer, in 2005. She was given less than a year to live. But against all odds, she fought and won battle after battle against her fatal disease, refusing to go gently into that good night. But the constant struggles took more and more of her as time passed.
At last, she can rest now.
My father and I are having a funeral and private visitation at 9:00am, on Wednesday, February 3rd, 2021. I know my mother would greatly appreciate flowers, especially lilies, or donations to Cancer Research Institute of Northern Alberta in her name. Please contact the Hainstock's Funeral Home for information on floral deliveries.
