Lan Hong Quon

Born in Canton, China. She was the last surviving sibling of three sisters, Linda and Aster who have both predeceased her. Her father worked here in Canada and sent money home to the family to help make ends meet, as many Chinese immigrants did at the time. She came to Canada in 1952, arriving in Vancouver and settling with her family in High River, Alberta. There she went to school, adapted to western ways, learned english and how to become part of this new world and way of life.

Lan eventually was introduced to Wing. Wing had a cute story in that Lan’s sister, Linda had a boyfriend, Phil. Wing and Phil had been classmates in China and never met again until they began dating sisters in Calgary! Wing was quiet and Lan was very outgoing so was a perfect match complimenting each other. Wing and Lan married March 27, 1956.

Lan and Wing were busy the next decade working the family grocery business Evan’s, KQ Supermarket, and in later years Mamm’s in addition to raising three young children. They still had time to take the kids on road trips Westlock, Vauxhall, Vancouver, and Spokane. The yearly drive to Lan’s sister Aster’s Vauxhall farm was a favorite trip. With her sister Linda and six cousins in tow, they had fun times at the farm. When the kids grew older they worked in the family business. Our uncles Sing and Bing and Phil were also all in the grocery business and mom made sure we bonded with all the cousins working together in the stores. Wonderful memories.

As the kids worked in the stores, that gave Lan free time to attend, with her sister Linda, adult education and dressmaking classes. She was a talented seamstress, sewing all the clothes for herself and her two daughters, Jenny and Donna. Lan’s culinary skills were always put to task, making her specialty for family and grandchildren for every occasion, sponge cake and fried rice with egg on top. This cooking and baking talent was inherited and passed to Donna and now to granddaughter Lindsay.

Her free time included Las Vegas trips with Wing and yearly visits to see her godmother in San Fran and side trips to see her cousin Wing (another Wing) and his wife, Cindy their “5 girls” in Merced, California. No wonder the house is filled with San Fran pictures. She even took Al, Jen, and Donna when they were young on a bus trip down to San Fran and Merced to meet everyone.

When the grandkids were born, she babysat on and off and was very close to them. In fact, if Jenny wanted to know what her sons were up to, she had to ask Grandma Quon. The grandkids could ask advice and she never judged them and told them to be happy and independent. Wing and Lan finally retired and for the past 15 years and travelled across Canada, the western states and around world. They also went on 5 cruises and a European bus tour meeting many people along the way and bringing back souvenirs for all. Lan with her sisters Linda and Aster, took their mom( our grandmother) on a trip of a lifetime, back to China and Hong Kong in her later years while still able to travel.

Mom’s claim to fame is winning first place in a Vegas slot tournament. She was one lucky gal. Over the years, her winnings included a Cadillac on a Scratch 'n Win ticket plus numerous event/banquet door prizes. She had 7 grandchildren…lucky 7! This luck has skipped her kids, but a couple of the grandkids show signs of being lucky! Lan and Wing were casino patrons in their retirement years and enjoyed lunches there and feeding the casino slots. If anyone needed to find them, one just had to go to the casino to look for them. Yes, Lan won more than her share of slot machine winnings, often coming home with many a jackpot and enough to pay for restaurant meals for all.

She embraced everything in life with happiness and a smile, making so many friends along the way. Her loving husband of 64 years, her family, and her friends will miss her dearly. She said she is joining her daughter Donna and going on a forever vacation.

She is home now.

A pictorial tribute of her life can be viewed at the following link https://photos.app.goo.gl/25iPhAmf7eyp7SUn8

There will be a public viewing only, prior to her cremation. There will be no service.

Location: 

Evan J. Strong Funeral Services

5502 2 St SW, 

Calgary, AB T2H 0G9

Date: 

Thursday, November 12, 2020

between  3:00-3:45pm

Parking:

Limited parking available behind the Funeral Home.
Designated parking will also be opened up on the street on the day of the funeral viewing.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lan Hong Quon, please visit our floral store.