On the morning of April 11th, Yvonne passed away peacefully in her sleep at Normanna Care Home, at the age of 88. She is survived by her siblings, Newman, Arthur, Rose (Jack), Dawn (Sam) and William (Dottie), her three children Trevor (Amy), Warren (Sylvia) and Jennifer and her seven grandchildren Alycia, Chelsea, Johnathan, Nathaniel, Sabrina, Rachel and Megan.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Yvonne was the third eldest of 9 children. Being one of the eldest daughters, school was not seen as a priority for her, and she was asked to help her mother with family responsibilities which included taking care of her younger siblings and working at the family’s fish’n chip shop.
Mom was incredibly determined not to let her lack of schooling define her. Mrs. Rabie, a family friend and mentor took mom under her wings. She was encouraged to finish some of her courses and was eventually trained to teach Afrikaans at the Chinese Kuo Ting High School.
Although quiet and shy in nature, there were many layers to her meek demeanor. Yvonne was a bit of a tom boy. She enjoyed recklessly riding her sports bike, a gift from Norman and she played on a women’s softball team. She was also incredibly resourceful and creative. Even though she had no training, she was often called upon to be the family’s dress maker and drafted patterns on old brown paper bags for Rose’s three tiered skirts and Daphne’s requests for sweetheart necklines and lace pockets. Mom ensured the Song girls always looked beautiful at the community dances.
And the Song girls were highly sought after, especially mom who had a number of suitors. So when Phillip entered the scene, he had to fight hard for her. Although it wasn’t love at first sight for Yvonne, Phillip was a good Christian boy, and his persistence and charm eventually won her over. On February 13, 1965, about a year after they started dating, they were married.
Children soon followed as they married what was considered late in those days, and in 1975, Phillip and Yvonne made the courageous decision to move to Canada with little more than a few suitcases, some boxes with their precious pressure cookers of all things, and the clothes on their backs. Thanks to her brothers Newman and Norman, who supported them upon their arrival in Vancouver, the Shang family never looked back.
Mom and dad both found employment with a little trucking company in Vancouver. After a few years, mom started working at a small Scotiabank branch on Main Street, before making her way to the main branch downtown where she managed the safety deposit boxes. Mom made fast friends with all the staff and customers who were sad to see her retire in 2000.
And shortly afterwards when the grandkids began to arrive, Mom, and eventually dad joyfully cared for many of their grandkids. Mom and dad were the best caregivers any child could asked for .... endless craft supplies, unlimited piggyback rides, the sweetest sugared strawberries and a never-ending supply of unconditional love.
Family meant everything to mom. The only thing that trumped family was her love and commitment to her faith. Yvonne and Phillip worshiped at Olivet Baptist Church for over 50 years, participating in programs, volunteering wherever needed and singing faithfully in the choir every Sunday.
Mom spent the last year of her life at Normanna Care Home. We wish to thank each and everyone of the staff members for their exceptional care and love. In her last days, many of them shared with our family just how much of an impact mom made on them and their community.
Mom was a quiet but exceptional woman with the friendliest smile and the biggest heart. She greeted everyone with a smile from ear to ear and the warmest hug … you were instantly welcomed and loved. Yvonne was the best daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, mother-in-law and friend anyone could ask for and all those who had the honour of knowing her will cherish their memories and miss her forever.
A memorial service will take place on Friday, April 26th at 2 pm at Olivet Baptist Church, 613 Queens Street, New Westminster. Donations can be made in her memory to the Alzheimer’s Society of BC. info@alzheimerbc.org