Obituary for Kin Wan
Chooi Kin ("Kin") Wan passed away peacefully on May 8, 2021 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, the place she called home. Kin lived a full 79 years of life with love, grace, and compassion. Of Chinese descent, Kin was born in Ipoh, Malaysia, the daughter of Mr. Wan Kee Cheong and Madam Cheong Sau Yoong, and one of 9 children. She was the loving elder sister to Dr. Kar Chan Wan (brother) and Chooi Wang Wan (sister). In Malaysia, Kin studied and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Malaya and worked as a sixth form teacher in Kuala Lumpur. She loved teaching and sharing her knowledge with her students. However, on May 13, 1969, major riots took place in Kuala Lumpur; Kin witnessed atrocities against Chinese students that would change her life forever. With little more than a few hundred dollars to her name, Kin decided to take refuge and immigrate to Canada, the country that would give her the opportunity for security and true independence from the oppression and discrimination that she experienced in her native country.
Through sheer will, courage, love, and compassion, Kin helped many people from all walks of life. In the early 1970s, she worked and lived in the Northwest Territories amongst the First Nations people as a teacher and counsellor. Kin understood what it meant to be an "outsider" and gained their trust and respect. Compassion with tangible results that made a difference to people's lives is what we remember Kin for. She would always say "to imagine yourself in someone else's shoes" and to listen to what people are really saying - not just the words - but the meaning and the feeling of those words.
Kin gave her time, energy, and care to so many people over her life. She never asked for much in return. In the late '90s, Kin was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Instead of giving up, Kin fiercely determined to "beat it." Many who really know Kin are not fooled by her soft and caring demeanor. She had the mental fortitude, strength, and calm that had helped so many people, and it was this same inner power that kept her cancer-free for the rest of her life. Her resilience and determination in the face of adversity is truly remarkable - a miracle made real.
Most of all, Kin will be remembered for her love and unwavering loyalty to family and friends. Kin was a mother at heart as she looked after her younger brother and sister, as well as her niece, Mei Lin, who lived with Kin from the ages of 5 to 9 in Fort Frances and Ottawa. She was the loving aunt to her niece Su Lin as well as her nephews Chee Ho, Chek Yang, and Chek Kwong. Kin was loved by the Wong family, especially Grandmother, who looked after Kin when she was recovering from cancer. With all her family living out of Canada, it was friends and fellow Canadians that she considered an important part of her family.
On behalf of Kin and the family, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to all the amazing hospital staff of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers at Montfort Hospital, Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital, and Ottawa General Hospital. The care, patience, and compassion by these care workers are second to none.
To pay your respects you can visit Kin's niche at the Hope Cemetery in Ottawa. No service at Kin's request. Condolences appreciated online at Remembering.ca. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation - Cancer Centre or Bruce House.
Through sheer will, courage, love, and compassion, Kin helped many people from all walks of life. In the early 1970s, she worked and lived in the Northwest Territories amongst the First Nations people as a teacher and counsellor. Kin understood what it meant to be an "outsider" and gained their trust and respect. Compassion with tangible results that made a difference to people's lives is what we remember Kin for. She would always say "to imagine yourself in someone else's shoes" and to listen to what people are really saying - not just the words - but the meaning and the feeling of those words.
Kin gave her time, energy, and care to so many people over her life. She never asked for much in return. In the late '90s, Kin was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. Instead of giving up, Kin fiercely determined to "beat it." Many who really know Kin are not fooled by her soft and caring demeanor. She had the mental fortitude, strength, and calm that had helped so many people, and it was this same inner power that kept her cancer-free for the rest of her life. Her resilience and determination in the face of adversity is truly remarkable - a miracle made real.
Most of all, Kin will be remembered for her love and unwavering loyalty to family and friends. Kin was a mother at heart as she looked after her younger brother and sister, as well as her niece, Mei Lin, who lived with Kin from the ages of 5 to 9 in Fort Frances and Ottawa. She was the loving aunt to her niece Su Lin as well as her nephews Chee Ho, Chek Yang, and Chek Kwong. Kin was loved by the Wong family, especially Grandmother, who looked after Kin when she was recovering from cancer. With all her family living out of Canada, it was friends and fellow Canadians that she considered an important part of her family.
On behalf of Kin and the family, we want to express our heartfelt thanks to all the amazing hospital staff of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and social workers at Montfort Hospital, Elisabeth Bruyère Hospital, and Ottawa General Hospital. The care, patience, and compassion by these care workers are second to none.
To pay your respects you can visit Kin's niche at the Hope Cemetery in Ottawa. No service at Kin's request. Condolences appreciated online at Remembering.ca. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to The Ottawa Hospital Foundation - Cancer Centre or Bruce House.