It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Florence Fong Chow on May 13, 2022 after a courageous battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by Francis, her husband of 40 years, daughters Vanessa (Adam) and Valerie (Ioan), grandchildren James and Alex, parents Kowling and Powoon Chow, sister Vivienne Poon (Ka), and brother Patrick. She was born in Beijing, China in April 1956 but moved to Guangzhou at an early age. After Florence and her family immigrated to Canada in 1976, she attended Langara College and graduated from Simon Fraser University with a Bachelor in Business Administration in 1982. She worked for Western Canada Lottery and then BC Lottery as data analyst from 1983 to 2000. Since her early retirement, she became an enthusiastic gardener and developed an interest in pressed flower arts. She volunteered for the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind as a guide dog walker and adopted Quella, who’s a cancer survivor, in 2011. She loved to travel and had visited more than 40 countries in Europe, Asia, and Central America. She also took several cruise trips to Alaska, Mexico, central Europe, Australia and New Zealand. We are all grateful for the care and support that she received during her sickness by our family physician as well as the doctors and nurses at the Cancer Clinic in Victoria, the VIHA Home and Community Care, the Victoria Hospice, and the Royal Jubilee Hospital Palliative Unit.
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A message from Florence
April 1, 2022
Celebration of Life, Love and Happiness!
Dear my family and friends,
Many of you may already know about my long, vigorous battle with cancer and treatments that I went through the past few months. I have decided now that I will move on to my next journey, celebrating and appreciating my life full of happiness and love.
I was first diagnosed with 4th stage ovarian cancer in October 2014. Two small recurrences in the summer of 2015 and 2016 were well treated with radiation therapies.
I had another painful recurrence in October 2018 and underwent radiation and chemo treatments from November 2018 to May 2019. I had over a year of being in recovery and able to create memorable moments with my family and friends. These times were so precious!
My ovarian cancer returned in February 2021, and I experienced symptoms soon after. I went through surgery in June 2021, and a course of radiation in August and September 2021. Both treatments did not work out well. I had persistent and increasing pain since early April 2021 and it became worse each month.
I started receiving chemo treatments on December 3, 2021. The 1st chemo seemed to work well in reducing pain, but also led to many complications and side-effects. I ended up in hospital for a couple of days in December. My oncologist and other doctors were concerned about the risks and effects from the treatments.
I was very determined and stubborn to fight for myself and to continue the chemo treatments. I finished my 5th cycle of treatment on March 22, 2022 but have not experienced any improvement. I have decided that I should stop here as the treatments haven’t improved my quality of life. I have tried really hard the last four months and won’t regret anything!
Thanks to my husband, lover, soulmate, and caregiver, Francis Yee, who has been taking care of me and supporting me throughout these most difficult times. We will reach our 40th year anniversary in July this year. I’m very grateful to have my parents, Kowling and Powoon Chow, raising, caring and educating me, and providing me with an excellent life in Canada. My dearest sister, Vivienne Poon, who is also my soulmate; we grew close together in our childhood and have always given each other support, sharing both our happiness and sore moments in our lives. To my younger brother Patrick, we have so many fond memories growing up, and experienced many adventures while travelling together!
Next, my lovely, charming daughters, Vanessa and Valerie, you have extended our family trees with two wonderful sons-in-law, Adam Holley and Ioan Virgolici. My two adorable, loving grandsons James and Alex kept me alive and my spirits up throughout the past few years with my fight against cancer. I won the battle. Life was short, but I enjoyed and appreciated every moment! Celebrate life! Keep smiling 🙂!
I just want to take this opportunity to say hello and goodbye to everyone before I get any worse. I also want to let you know that I don’t want to have any funeral service after my departure.
Me and my family are very grateful for the excellent service, care, love and compassion from our healthcare professional teams. For over two years of the covid pandemic, they’ve risked their personal lives helping patients and their families go through illness. Our most heartfelt thanks and appreciation. Special thanks to Dr. Attwell, Dr. Holloway and Dr. Jill Cowlrick.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following organizations:
BC Cancer Agency http://www.bccancer.bc.ca/donate
Victoria Hospitals Foundation https://www.victoriahf.ca/donate/
Ovarian Cancer Canada https://ovariancanada.org/Get-Involved/Donate
Victoria Hospice https://victoriahospice.org/donate/
Canadian Guide Dogs For the Blind https://www.guidedogs.ca/donate/
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Sad to hear that. Believe Florence is now in God’s paradise and enjoy the eternal life.
Our condolences to you, Francis, and your daughters Vanessa and Valarie, as well as the rest of the family. Florence was a wonderful human being. She was caring and sharing. Her support for the Camosun African Awareness Committee is very much appreciated. We will miss her a lot. We pray to the Lord God to comfort and strengthen you in this time of sorrow.
Francis & Tina Adu-Febiri
We have so many wonderful memories of Florence. Lucy and I are really missing her. 愿嫂子一路走好。你和家人节哀顺变。
昉表一路走好🙏在天堂无痛苦
永遠懷念我的二姨媽
永遠活在我的記憶中我的心中
Always in my memory and my heart
I have so many wonderful memories of her. Forever love Chou Family
An excellent role model to live a wonderful life full of caring, courage and love. May the peace and love of God be with Florence and the whole family!
Dear Francis and family,
Our prayers for all of you and for the eternal rest of our dear Florence. I had the privilege of working with her at the lotteries. Always remember her nice smile and warm laugh. Even now I recall her warm smile and voice. May the Lord grant her peace in heaven.
José and Jennie Siu
Our deepest condolences to Francis, the Yee family and the Chow family. May Florence rest in eternal peace. She was our sweet , gentle, loving and thoughtful niece , we shall miss her dearly.
亲爱的Florence，你的音容笑貌、你的善良会永远铭记并活在我们心中！愿亲爱的姐妹安息主怀！盼望家人节哀顺变！
My deepest condolences to Francis, Vanessa and Valerie and to all who are grieving Florence today.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this very difficult time. She was a wonderful friend when we worked together at the lotteries. We take comfort that she is now free of pain and is now with our merciful God.
My deepest condolences to Francis, Vanessa, Valerie and to all who are mourning the loss of Florence. She was a wonderful friend when we worked together at the lotteries. We always used to lunch together and talk a lot about our kids who are the same age. I will always cherish our friendship. Am so glad I was able to talk to her for a few minutes a couple of weeks ago. We take comfort that you are now free of pain and are now with our loving God.
二姐
永遠懷念你❤️
一路走好🙏
愿逝者安息🙏生者节哀顺变……
Deepest condolences from the Lau family to the Yee, Chow, and Chung families. It’s a blessing for us to have known Florence in our lives. May she rest in peace.
My deepest condolence to Francis and family, to Yeetze and Yeetzefu. I share your sorrow and mourn with you. So many things went through my mind when I learned the sad news. I regret I didn‘t have the chance to meet her more often. She has touched my heart. May she Rest In Peace.
Our deepest condolences to Francis and their beloved daughters. Please feel comfort that Florence is, free of pain, resting in peace and love of God.
Tina and Manwai Tam
Our deepest condolences to Francis, Valerie and Vanessa and all at home. Flo was my first professional contact when I started work at WCLC in Winnipeg back in 1990. I only knew her by her voice as she called me weekly to obtain sales figures. Then we became coworkers when I joined BCLC in Richmond. When her family settled in Victoria, Boon and I soon joined them as we both found jobs here. We are destined to spend the last 30 years first as colleagues, then friends and in the last 10 years like sisters. Our families have also grown close. Flo is a kind hearted soul – super strong on the inside. She has fought cancer over and over again with much positivity. She is very generous – so many of my plants in my garden are gifts from her. She truly cares – when I was suffering from depression, she would walk with me for hours and we would go pick rocks by the beaches because she knew that brought me some relief. She is very creative – only when she was teaching me how to work with dry flowers did I realize the beautiful art pieces on her walls despite being in her house countless times. Anyone that have crossed paths with Flo will know that behind her soft spoken demeanour is a generous, humble and authentic human being. It is so painful to know Flo is no longer with us but we rejoice that there is one more angel in heaven.
Please accept my deepest condolences to the entire immediate and extended family of Florence. Florence was a strong and loyal team player and colleague. God Bless you all. Michelle Carinci
阿昉一路走好。懷念。
Dear Valerie and family, we are so sadden by the news of your mother! Our deepest condolences and may our thoughts help comfort you. The love of a mother can never be replaced, you will always carry her in your heart and cherish your memories! She was a beautiful lady inside out. Keep her spirit alive and celebrate live as she wished. Have a peaceful journey Florence…
Our deepest condolences go out to Francis, Valerie, and Vanessa. Florence’s kind face and cheerful spirit remain forever in our fond memories. In this challenging time in your life, may our friendship, sympathy, and heartfelt condolences bring you comfort.
Florence 昉表 will be fondly remembered for her charming smile that has always brightened up the room or whatever social spaces she has graced.
昉表一路走好🙏
永远怀念你🙏
My deepest condolences to Francis, Vanessa and Valerie.
My thoughts are with the family.
May Florence rest in peace.
Our deepest condolences go out to Francis, Valerie, and Vanessa. Florence will live in our heart.
天堂没有痛苦，愿您的下一个旅程顺遂、幸福。
My condolences to 昉s family, I wish you all the strength you need in these sad times. I am deeply touched by her farewell letter. It is an extraordinary testimonial of her courage in facing sickness and pain.
Uncle Dacfey, 德暉舅父
I was shocked and grieving so much for the whole week. I knew Florence from our college days, went to Toronto together, had the honour of being her bridesmaid, and worked together at BC Lottery. There are so many fond memories! Florence, I miss you and you will forever live in my heart! Francis, Vanessa and Valerie, be strong and courageous, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rest in peace Kow Mo. We will always remember you for your fun loving ways and happy smile and will miss you. Thank you for inspiring us with your courageous fight. Safe travels. 💜