Siu Chu Yee

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Siu Chu “Helen” Yee, our beloved mother, grandmother, wife, sister, auntie and friend. Helen passed away peacefully at home on January 28, 2021 surrounded by family following her battle with cancer.

She will be sorely missed by her four children: Simon (Siri), Bobby (Heather), Jenny (Alexander), and Michael, five grandchildren: Taro, Kirin, Rachel, Ryan and John, her siblings: Betty, Sammy, Susanna, Michelle and Elsa, and her many cousins, nieces and nephews. Helen was predeceased by her husband Yuen Eng “Jack” Yee, as well as her parents Mui and Shui Wong and brothers Hoi Shan and Tom.

Born in Hong Kong on April 23, 1952, Helen was the third oldest out of eight siblings. She then immigrated to Canada in 1975 following a whirlwind romance when she met and then married her husband Yuen Eng “Jack” Yee. The two settled in Winnipeg, Manitoba where Jack opened up a Chinese-Canadian eatery called Pearl City Restaurant. That same year Helen gave birth to her first born, Simon. Helen would help manage and run the restaurant alongside her husband. In the early 2000s, Helen branched away from the restaurant, and worked for Continental Crest and Embroidery as a seamstress for several years until her retirement.

Helen loved her family dearly, and kept in close contact with her family overseas. At home she took every opportunity to place family photos on every surface she could muster. She was so proud of everything her family accomplished. She delighted in becoming a grandmother, and loved her grandchildren. Many of their photos are proudly displayed. Being involved with her family, especially her grandchildren, brought about much laughter and joy.

In her spare time, she enjoyed watching Chinese dramas and films, tending to her garden, sewing and going out for walks. She was quite fond of her plants and flowers, and enjoyed relaxing outdoors. In her retirement she traveled more often, heading back to Hong Kong to see family, experimented at growing vegetables, and ventured in creating new recipes in the kitchen. Helen loved taking photos, capturing moments of her everyday life as well as her travels. We are thankful to have so many memories caught on camera to be cherished for the future.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the nurses, doctors and staff at Cancer Care Manitoba and Palliative Care Manitoba for their care, as well as the kind staff at Thomson in the Park for their assistance.

Our dear Mama has shown incredible resilience in her life, having uprooted herself from her home to live in a land where she knew no one and did not speak the language, only to create that home for herself and her family for 45 years. The strength she displayed in her sacrifices helped us to grow to be who we are today. We love you, we miss you, and will strive to be happy and healthy like you always wished for us. Thank you for everything, Mama. We love you so much.

The service will be attended by family only on February 10, 2021 at 10:00 am. For those who wish, you may view the livestream by using the 'Join Livestream' link below in the services section.

Friends and family are encouraged to make a donation in Helen’s honour to Lung Cancer Canada to help fund research.