Mary Cho Kuen NG

With heavy hearts we share the painful loss of Mary Cho Kuen Ng, a brilliant wife, loving mother and generous grandmother.

On the hottest day in recent memory in Vancouver, she ascended to the heavens suddenly on June 28th, 2021 in the presence of family.

Mary was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Chai Wan. She met my father Yuen Kai Ng while working at our grandfather's clothing store on Nathan Road in Kowloon, and became a beautiful bride at 18.

With the dream of opportunity, they moved their young family to Canada and settled in Vancouver with their three sons: Gordon Yiu Kon Ng, Ronman Yiu Yan Ng and Warren Yiu Kee Ng on July 14th 1968.

She was a charismatic and passionate soul who loved life and her family most of all. She found artistic and creative expression in music as an amateur Cantonese Opera singer for charity events in Vancouver and Toronto.

As a successful independent business woman, she opened Risty's Cafe with my father in Vancouver and later her own 99 Chinese Restaurant in Burnaby.

In the late 1990’s Mary moved to Toronto to be closer to her grown children who were starting their lives after university. Here she transitioned from a business woman into a modern woman taking creative writing classes, learning ballroom dancing and playing the piano.

When her grandchildren were born and Gordon's family moved to California, she would take the train across the country for 3 days to help as a grandmother.

My mother's self-admitted greatest achievement was raising and loving her three sons and her three grandchildren. She was very proud of her children and grandchildren’s achievements in school and contributions to society.

In her 60's Mary was diagnosed with Parkinsons, which dampened her energy but not her spirits. She continued to live her best life and was cared for by my father and Gordon's loving family.

When she needed more care, Mary moved to assisted living and shared her love of Cantonese Opera by performing for her fellow residents. My mother's generous spirit and joy for life was amplified with a microphone bringing music and her smile to others.

Mary was predeceased by her parents and two older brothers. Her youngest sister Sandra Ho resides in Vancouver with her children.

Mary's legacy of love is carried forward by her husband Yuen Kai Ng, her sons: Gordon, Ronman, and Warren, her grandchildren Richard, Emma and Zoe, her daughter-in-law Sherry and her son-in-law Jerome.

Mary will be missed for her smile, her sparkling personality and the humour and joy she brought to every occasion.

The funeral service will be held at Mount Pleasant Universal Funeral Home on Tuesday July 13th in Vancouver, followed by a committal service at Ocean View Park in Burnaby.