Kim Yuk Wong

Kim immigrated to Canada from China at the age of 25 and settled in Longview, Alberta in December 1955 with her husband Jim Wong. For over 20 years, Kim ran Barney’s Cafe in the heart of Longview. As the quintessential Chinese restaurant in a small rural town, Barney’s became a social hub for everyone from devoted customers, fans of her famous noodles, her children’s teenage friends, and local hunters bringing Kim their latest catch. Life was not always easy; learning English and running a restaurant was difficult and demanding. But whatever the challenges, however insurmountable, Kim would find a way to overcome them, even if it was purely through sheer force of will. While in Longview, she grew to love Stampede Wrestling, Elvis, and potato chips.

She also had an appreciation for the finer things, but always refused to accept them from anyone for herself. A diminutive 4’10 in stature, she was a talented seamstress and made her own clothing for many years. As someone who was accustomed to making the best of whatever’s available, she saved and stockpiled for rainy days, but was unfailingly generous to her friends and loved ones. She never missed an opportunity to bring her family more food than they could eat, or immediately gift her grandchildren with an article of clothing or piece of jewelry she was wearing if they happened to compliment said item.

After her husband passed away, Kim moved to Chinatown in Calgary, Alberta in 1992. After years of hard work, she enjoyed an active social life that included mahjong, long walks, and making sweaters for her children and grandchildren, always at least three sizes too big (to grow into). She continued to make wontons upon request, and even finally allowed her granddaughter to observe her cooking in a way that could be (almost, but never quite the same) replicated. In her old age, Kim was as determined as the day she came to Canada to do things her way -- having taught herself nearly everything she knew, she was still hard-pressed to find someone who knew better. Above all else, she continued to have an indomitable spirit that made her the leading lady in not only her own life, but also in the lives of her children and grandchildren.

Kim will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by her daughter Debbie McHugh, her son Calvin Wong and his wife Barbara Wong, her grandson Tyler Wong, her granddaughter Allie McHugh, and her granddaughter Briana Falls and her husband Chris Falls and their daughter Margot Falls.

Kim was predeceased by her husband Jim Wong in 1983 and her eldest daughter May Lye in 1958.