Daisy Toy Poon

Daisy passed away peacefully on April 8, 2022 and went to be with the Lord at the wonderful age of 100. She was born in Stockton, California on January 25, 1922 and was the oldest of 5 children. At the age of 14, she got involved with the Chinese Christian Center led by Dr. George Colliver, the founder and chairman of the Department of Bible and Religious Education at the College of Pacific (now University of Pacific). He was instrumental in the development of her Christian faith as well as to many other Chinese youth. Dr. Colliver asked her to serve one year as the Director of Activities where she led worship and preached both in English and Chinese. In 1946, she and John were married at Morris Chapel in Stockton and attended the College of Pacific (now University of the Pacific) where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies. They ended up settling in Sacramento where she focused on raising her daughter Diana and son Timothy. She was active at Earl Warren Elementary School where she would help with schoolyard duties and served as President of the Parents Teachers Association.

In 1968, Daisy decided that she wanted to help young students who had developmental disabilities and needed special education. She served in the Sacramento City Unified School District for 20 years, starting out as a teacher’s aide at Earl Warren Elementary and then as a Special Education Teacher at Fern Bacon Middle School and Goethe Middle School. After she retired in 1988, she and John enjoyed many years of travel where they went to many places: Israel, Scandinavia, Netherlands, Hong Kong, Canada, Mexico, Hawaii, Alaska, and Washington DC, just to name a few.

Daisy loved the Lord with all her heart and served Him faithfully throughout her life. In addition to the Chinese Christian Center, she was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church for 36 years and attended Chinese Grace Bible Church for another 28 years. She participated in Bible Study Fellowship, Kinship Bible Study Groups and the Senior Adult Bible Study Group.

Daisy was a loving wife, mother, friend, and prayer warrior who cared more for others than herself. She would call people when she hadn’t heard from them in a while or when she heard that they had been sick. She was always appreciative of all the prayers that were lifted up on her behalf as well. Daisy also loved interacting and communicating with people, both with the young as well as the old and would say “there is no generation gap”. She especially enjoyed the Toy family gatherings that we would have during Thanksgiving and Christmas as family unity was very important to her.

She is survived by her sister Vi Yip of Lodi, brother Howard (Mary) Toy of Cockeysville, MD, sister-in-law Amy Toy of Stockton, daughter Diana Poon of Lodi, son Timothy Poon of Sacramento, unofficial adopted daughter Jennifer (Alan) Yee of Wilton and their children, Jason (Lisette), Jeremy (fiancee Mayble), and Jessica. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 70 years, John Poon, parents Frank and Mae Toy, brothers Jick Toy and Edward Toy, sister-in-law Frances Toy and brother-in-law Leland Yip. Daisy has many nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, great-grandnephews and great-grandnieces who will fondly remember her.

Many special thanks to caregivers Marcela, Maureen, Natalie, Sabrina and resident Sharon of Vineyard Senior Retreat who lovingly cared for Daisy during the last couple of months of her life. Also thanks to the Interim Healthcare Hospice team.

Diana and Tim wish to express our gratitude and thankfulness to all of Daisy’s family, friends, Chinese Grace Bible Church family and acquaintances for their loving words of support and condolences on her passing. We will miss her smile and the joy that she gave to us all, and mostly for her loving and caring spirit. We are sad for ourselves but we are joyous in knowing she is now able to enjoy life with our dad and especially with our Lord and Savior.

Per her wish there will be no service held. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Daisy’s name to either:

Word Partners, 12575 Ridgeland Avenue, Palos Heights, IL 60463-1867

Chinese Grace Bible Church, 6656 Park Riviera Way, Sacramento, CA 95831

Daisy’s Life Bible Verse:

Matthew 5:16 - "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."