Mary Lim

Mary C’Tol Lim, age 86, went to be with the Lord peacefully at her home on November 22, 2018. She was born on January 14, 1932 in Kilgore, TX as the eldest daughter of Chee Bo Eng and William C’Tol. She moved to Houston, TX with her parents when she was two years old. She raised her family in West Houston and remained there for the rest of her life.

Mary and her two sisters were pioneering women in the Houston community. All three sisters attended San Jacinto High School and then Rice University. In 1953, Mary finished with a pre-law degree, and she is credited with being the first Chinese-American woman to graduate from Rice University. As a young adult, Mary was one of the first pianists for the Chinese Baptist Church in Houston. After working for two years as an elementary school teacher, she was called to return to her family grocery business, which became a hub of the community of the Third Ward. She faithfully worked alongside her sister at the family store until she was 70 years old.

Mary was a devoted mother, wife, sister and grandmother. She loved being with her children and stated that having children was her greatest joy. She liked to take walks in nature, marvel at the beautiful plants, and pet soft, furry cats. A devoted fan of the Nightly Business Report show, she also liked to read three newspapers a day and clip articles for her children. She tuned in daily to several financial broadcasts and was an avid and keen investor. She loved singing show tunes, hymns, and patriotic songs. In her early years with Alzheimer’s, she loved to tackle simple math equations and solve word puzzles. Mary relished saving little bits of money here and there, and generously provided for her children. She was kind and gracious, accepting strangers and those different than she. Mary maintained her sweet, accepting nature even in her final years.

Mary is survived by her husband of 56 years, Wai William Lim Sr., children Angela (Amy), Allison (Tony), and Wai (Vicky), and six grandchildren: Evelyn, Jocelyn, Pamela, Daniel, Nathanael, and Gabriel. Mary is also survived by her sisters Mae Jean Chan (late Bing) and Mae Fong Chin (late Willie). Mary is preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law Shui-Fong Lam. She is the loving aunt of many nieces and nephews. The family is grateful for Mary’s caregivers who loved and cared for Mary in her last years of life, and that her spirit is now with the Lord Jesus.

Visitation: Friday November 30, 2018 from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. at Memorial Oaks Funeral Home located at 13001 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77079.

Funeral Service: Saturday December 1, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Memorial Oaks Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to support The Gathering Place services via Care Partners Texas (https://www.carepartnerstexas.org) or Chinese Baptist Church.