OBITUARIES TO AUNTY LUCY FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS
Lucy was born on 29 February 1923, in Singapore, one of 8 siblings – these were John, Mike, Vincent, Aloysius, Augustine, Catherine, Lucy and Anna (my mother). They were raised in the Catholic religion. Tragically only four siblings survived WW2, these being Mike, Catherine, Lucy and Anna. Mike and Catherine stayed in Singapore and Anna moved to the UK with her English husband, Albert. Lucy subsequently moved to the UK where she lived with them for a while, before moving to Golders Green, north London and resided there for some years. She eventually moved to Vancouver, Canada, where she stayed for the rest of her life, working for the Canadian government.
She never married and was an independent global traveler, and I enjoyed receiving postcards from her various destinations, throughout my life. She stayed close to her remaining sisters and brother, and also her four nieces and one nephew who live in different parts of the world. She visited all of us several times, it was always a happy occasion.
I was very close to Lucy as she would look after me when I was small if mum was away for any reason, and I always felt secure and comforted by her presence. One anecdote that Lucy related to me was an occasion when she came in wearing a fur coat, and I asked my mum if she was a bear - but clearly she must have been a kindly one! She always remembered our birthdays and would write to us, often sending little gifts or clothing. We still have some items from our childhood. She had the most beautiful writing even when she struggled to hold a pen in her later years.
She was a wonderful, softly spoken and deeply religious and spiritual person with a good sense of humour and it was always so touching to see the bond of love she had with her siblings, which she also shared with her nieces, nephew and their own children.
She didn’t like taking any kind of medication and was very much into natural remedies, and who knows – this may have stood her in good stead for a long life.
Sadly old age eventually caught up with her and she had to be transferred to Purdy Pavilion, UBC Vancouver where she was well looked after for the remainder of her days. Lucy cared about her appearance and even though bedridden, was still wanting lipstick, new shoes and her hair done! My daughter Anna and I managed to visit her in 2019 and it was a special and poignant trip that will remain with us always, and we are so grateful we got to see her one last time.
What an amazing long and full life she has had and is now reunited with her brothers and sisters. We will never forget her. With love forever, sleep in peace, dear Aunty Lucy
LEE (Niece)
"Mum would tell us about her sister Lucy as far back as I can remember, so we knew they shared a special bond. By the time Aunty Lucy came to live in England for a while, we felt we already knew her. I remember the wonderful gifts she sent to us for Birthdays and Christmases. They were always interesting or beautiful, like a special mirror showing animated characters, a new-fangled tape-recorder, lacy frocks, silk jackets, unusual food! She sent a gigantic tin of curry powder once that Mum used for years. As she loved ballroom dancing when she was younger, a highlight of our visits was peeking inside her wardrobe full of glitter, lace and spangles. One cast-off ballgown even became the main "Princess" costume in our dress-up box. Lucy stayed with us for a while when we were small and I was fascinated by her prayer rituals every night: I wanted a pink and silver rosary like the one she had. I remember Lucy as being a true Aunty in every sense: even though she travelled the globe, she was deeply committed to her family's children and grandchildren and never forgot anyone's birthday. She wrote to all of us often. I wish I had been able to see more of her in later life, but it was a comfort knowing that she had found her spiritual home in Vancouver. She was a loyal, talented, generous, deeply religious individual. Rest in Peace, Aunty Lucy."
KIM (Niece)
I will always remember our dear Aunty Lucy as a soft-spoken elegant and gentle lady. She did have a good sense of humour and loved to chat especially about family. I learnt a lot about our ancestry from her and will miss her stories.
Although she was well traveled she never forgot her roots and she still loved her Asian food especially “char kway teow” (fried rice noodles). She’s the last of the Phang elders to go and I hope she’s happily reunited with her parents and siblings.
Good bye dear Aunty Lucy and Godspeed
JANICE (Niece)
She was a well travelled independent lady who made a good life for herself away from her home in Singapore. She was always well turned out and took great pride in her appearance. She was very kind to her siblings and was always there to help if they were in need.
Her sense of humour and ability to laugh at herself saw her through difficult times as her health deteriorated. She knew her own mind and was not afraid to voice her opinions.
(I always remember her telling me I was not properly dressed because I didn't have earrings on!!)
She was a very pious Catholic and donated generously to charities.
Her passing leaves us sad but the last time we spoke she said:
" My time is up. God is calling and I'm happy to go. I will see Mike and Anna again"
CHRISTINE (Niece)
Lucy was a sweet, kind and loving Great Aunt. She never forgot a birthday and there was always a beautiful handwritten note accompanying her cards, which usually included a trinket and a godly message to share. It was always a delight to see her, whether she had travelled cross continent to visit, or we were fortunate enough to be able to visit her.
I will always remember that she liked to be well presented, with her hair and make up ‘just so’ and even in her much later years, still having her hair permed regularly at the hospital hair salon. Some of my favourite times to see her however, was when she was with her sister (my grandmother) Anna, where you could see their wonderful sisterly bond and Anna would affectionately call her ‘Ci’. Lucy was one of a kind and she will remain in my heart forever.
ANNA (great-niece)
Dear Aunty Lucy,
That’s how I’ll start because I loved to write to you. I would wait for your letters excitedly; I always loved to hear from you what you had been doing or even if it was just a quick hello. I loved to find out what would be in the envelope, there was always a nice surprise. I would love to see all the different coloured stamps on the parcels, which I still have and treasure.
My cool auntie that lived in Canada, which I loved to tell my friends. Travelling the world and telling me about her adventures, I didn’t know anyone who’s great aunt did that! Sending me fun magazines, interesting things from different countries, beautiful jewellery and precious holy blessed items to look after and keep me safe. I always had a Chinese calendar hanging on my wall or a special lucky red packet, which I still use as my bookmark.
My glamorous auntie, still wearing her make up, with her jet black hair and sunglasses, you were not like a typical elderly lady! I loved that.
I want to thank you for being so thoughtful of me, you never forgot Christmas or birthdays, I appreciated it so much, and I never stopped thinking of you or wondering what you were doing. I know I didn’t write as much as I should have as I got older and I regret that but I’m so glad you at least got to see photos of tilly.
Missing you will not be new to me, as I always missed you, it’s just harder this time.
I will never forget our special heart with two hearts inside that we always drew to each other in our letters ♥️
I’m so glad you were in my life and blessed it the way you did and I am forever grateful, I will love you always xxx
KATIE (great-niece)
I have known Lucy for many years. Enjoyed our time together at dinners and coffee at McDonald's when she lived in the Westend.
She had a great sense of humor and took teasing very well and we sure had great laughs! She found it hard to leave her apartment in the WestEnd! Glad she’s at peace.
SIEW ENG (Friend)
Mass will be held at Guardian Angels Parish, located at 1161 Broughton St. Vancouver, on April 28th at 11:00 am