Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Centrefunerairecotedesneiges.com for the Yim Lee family.
On early Saturday morning, 9/17/2022, Helen Yim Lee Szeto Jay, crossed over the rainbow bridge. She suffered from progressive dementia since 2011, and experienced 2 strokes in her last 2 months. Her eldest daughter, Annie Jay, moved mountains to fulfill our mother’s wish to remain in her home as she aged. She died peacefully in her sleep in her own bed, in our family home, in Montreal.
Helen was born in Guandong, China on November 18th, 1941, to Kwan Man Wan and Szeto Wing. British teaching nuns gave her an English name which she did not like, so she named herself, Helen (of Troy). Leaving elementary school for lack of tuition, Helen worked counting pills in a pharmacy and earned 15 cents per week. She was allowed to keep 5 cents for herself and gave the remainder to her mother to help sustain the family. On July 26th, 1959, Helen married Jin Gune Jay, and promptly immigrated to Montreal, Canada. Together, they achieved the dream of a home with a white picket fence, and created Annie, Tony, and Jeannie. In 1974, Helen and Jin Gune opened the South Pacific Restaurant in Ville Émard, Montreal, where we all worked for many years. Helen was predeceased by Jin Gune Jay on June 25th, 1986. She carried on with the business until it was sold in 1989.
Helen was known to many in Chinatown as a good friend to have along for important appointments for her ability to translate between English and Cantonese. She also used her tremendous natural business acumen to help friends negotiate terms of loans and mortgages with bank representatives.
Helen was a curious traveller as she explored various destinations such as Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and various places across the United States.
Helen was a survivor. She was the best mother she knew how to be. She worked hard, budgeted, and saved enough to not only send money home to her family and Jin Gune’s family, but also to help make the restaurant happen. She was a shrewd and determined business woman, a wise investor, a scary negotiator, and an enthusiastic fourth direction for Mah Jong.
Helen was proud to be a grandmother to twins Matthew & Timothy, and Emma. She was thrilled to be a great-grandmother to Haley, Jennifer, Evelyn, and Eli. Helen is also survived by her older sister, Lily Jong, and 2 younger brothers Michael Szeto and Stephen Szeto.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, in memory of Helen Jay. We thank the CLSC and the Mortimer B. Jewish General Hospital for their support and service.
A celebration of Helen’s life will be held at Dignité Centre Funéraire Côte-Des-Neiges on Monday October 3rd, from 1-6pm. Her ashes will be interned the following day at the adjacent cemetery at 2:30pm.
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