Rose Diane Lum

With profound sadness our family announces the passing of Rose Lum at 95 years old. Encircled with her family's love, she closed her eyes and found peace. We were blessed with her presence for so many years.

Rose was born and raised in Victoria, alongside her brothers John, Roland and sisters Mary, Anne, Ruth, Maye, Ora, Daisy, Sylvia. She was the tenth out of eleven children and is survived by her sister Verna. The family lived in a house on Blanshard Street near the Save On Foods Memorial Centre until the house was expropriated by the City of Victoria for $10,000. She enjoyed forty-eight nieces and nephews, and many long-time loyal and loving friends.

At age six, Rose had a bad case of rickets on both legs, so her legs were bull legged/crooked. Her family could not afford steel braces. Her Mother made wooden braces, and for many months each night after dinner, she bound Rose’s legs together. Her Mom taught Rose a Chinese prayer to ask God to heal her and this was very successful, as her legs straightened. When she was six or seven years old, some of her siblings moved to Vancouver, and Rose learned to take on household duties. Despite hardships the of the Depression and so many mouths to feed, Rose’s family managed without ever having to ask for social assistance or help from anyone.

She recalled an enjoyable school life. She was at English school during the daytime, then attended Chinese School at the Chinese Presbyterian Church each weekday afternoon under the tutelage of Miss Grace Lee and Miss Scott. Rose’s parents wanted their children to learn and remember their Chinese language, background, and culture. As a twelve-year-old, she worked in a grocery store from 8:30 am – 12 midnight on weekends. She was paid $1.10 for each day, which Rose gave most to her mother for loaves of bread, and she kept 10 cents. This was a true example of how Rose was always helping others at such a young age. The government eventually regulated a pay increase, so the daily rate went up to $1.75. On days off she together with friends would visit Beacon Hill Park, which as of 1947 allowed entrance to Chinese people. For a bus fare of six cents, she could do sightseeing, picture taking and enjoy the view of beautiful flowers. She and friends also liked to get together to dance “The Jitterbug” a lively swing favourite.

Rose found employment with the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the first woman of Chinese ancestry to be hired. Her duties were to translate and assist the Chinese customers to send money drafts to family in China. Rose’s presence in the bank drew many Chinese customers from other banks. Her pay was $64.00 per month with an extra $5 per month for the special translation services that she provided. After three months another colleague complained so the Bank put a stop to the translation services and took back the $15 previously paid to her.

Rose was a vibrant, vivacious, extroverted, resourceful, talented, and capable woman. She lived by her strong moral Christian values of honesty, respect, generosity, goodwill, and contribution.

Rose met Ed, the love of her life at the Public Chinese school on Fisgard St when they were both sixteen years old. They enjoyed going to basketball games and roller-skating. They dated for seven years and were subsequently married for 56 years. They began raising their family of two sons and two daughters. She supported her husband in all his businesses; Ming’s Kitchen (first take out service in Victoria), The Cherry Bend Motel by Beaver Lake, Ed Lum Greenhouses, and in his role as Alderman (now known as Councillor) and Mayor of Saanich (second mayor of Chinese descent in Canada). Rose accompanied Ed to numerous events and on trips to Quebec City, Ottawa and Scottsdale, Arizona. With no nannies in those times, she juggled childcare, cooking, customers, bookkeeping and other necessary chores.

Rose together with Ed was a founding member of the Victoria Chinatown Care Centre in 1981. She was an active devoted elder in the Chinese Presbyterian Church and her father Lee Heme Woo was a founding member. She believed deeply in volunteering and proudly offered her time and knowledge. She began at the Veteran’s Hospital in the Red Cross Lodge, B.C Council for Families (Seniors Advisory Council), the Canadian Immigration Welcoming Committee, Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of B.C., Beta Sigma Phi, The Chinatown Lions Club Annual Lantern Festival. In June 1986 Rose received the Honorary Citizen Award of Victoria award from Mayor Gretchen Brewin recognizing her forty-year contribution with multicultural activities throughout the City. She was recognized nationally as a Woman of Distinction. Wherever Rose has gone, as a banquet speaker or with children teaching about Chinese New Year customs, she has represented herself and the Chinese Canadian women of her community. She together with dear sister Sylvia were the first Chinese women to join Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. In the 1960’s, Rose and Ed were recognized as the first Chinese couple to attend the State Ball at BC Government House. Even up to the age of ninety, she was volunteering as she said “playing mah-jong with the elderly” at the Chinatown Care Centre.

Rose and Ed were really a strong team; they dished out strawberries for the Saanich Strawberry Festival that Ed initiated, and cooked chow mein for the Victoria Folk Festival, harvested seaweed at Ten Mile Point and picked watercress in Gordon Head. She was a passionate home maker and loved sewing and fashion, cooking, baking, foraging foods, canning jams, jellies, fruits, and vegetables. She had a zest for life and especially loved ballroom dancing and music. She was warm and welcoming to all her guests. Her annual dinners would host up to 60 people as the Lee and Lum families gathered. So many people were inspired by her enthusiasm, friendliness, and positive outlook on life. Rose was passionate about spending time with her family. She loved having her father live with her and her family for 9 years until he passed. She enjoyed her Sunday morning coffee with Jan and Wendy and looked forward to her Sunday dinners at Mark and Julie’s home with all the grandkids. In her later years, she would never complain and often say, “I’m fine”. In her last days, she recalled having a wonderful and interesting life.

Rose was predeceased by her parents Lee Heme Woo and Lee Chow Shee (Elizabeth), loving husband Ed (2007) and her eldest son Glenn (1997). Rose will be lovingly remembered by her family; Glenn’s wife (Rita), Jan (Ken), Wendy, Mark (Julie). Her grandchildren; Andrew, Michelle, Ashley (Shane), Kassondra (Dan). Her great grandchildren Zoe (Kieran), Malia, Ella, Kallan, Ava, Leo and her great-great grandson Layton.

The family would like to thank the wonderful caring staff at the Gorge Road Health Centre and Dr. Rod McFadyen. Thank you to Reverend Vincent Tan. By request there will be no service, she will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, wife, sister, aunt and community member. In lieu of flowers donations to the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation. The family would appreciate any memories shared.