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BORN
1944
DIED
2014
Lan Sum Obituary
Born in China and raised in Hong Kong, Lan's passion for learning had led her to Canada. She earned an M.Ed (Special Education) from Acadia University in 1974, and soon started working as a Psychological Consultant for school boards in Nova Scotia. She moved to Toronto in 1979 to pursue PhD studies in Special Education at the Ontario Institute of Studies in Education. In 1982, Lan was employed by the Scarborough Board of Education as a School Psychologist. She worked for the Board until retirement in 2009.
Lan was committed to making the world a better place. She had played a vital role in promoting race relations in the Scarborough area, leading to the founding of the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Scarborough. During her tenure with the Scarborough Board, Lan had utilized her academic background and multicultural sensitivity to address the needs of immigrant students. In many cases, she devised creative ways to help special education students with high needs to increase their academic and developmental abilities, and received numerous commendations from the school board for her work.
In January 1988, Lan was appointed to the Centennial College's Board of Governors by the Ontario Ministry of Universities and Colleges. She was the first Board member of Chinese descent. On her second term, Lan was elected Vice-Chair of the Board .
Lan excelled at everything she did, among others: writing, arts and crafts, gardening, cooking, public speaking, and sports. Lan also had a deep appreciation of Chinese literature and the skills of a good calligrapher, although her artistic talents may be over-shadowed by her activism. After her retirement, Lan continued to lead an active life that included exercising, hiking, travelling, gardening, attending seminars, as well as other community engagements.
Hers was a life well lived.
A memorial service will be held at Jerrett Funeral Home, 8088 Yonge Street, Thornhill, on Saturday, December 13, 2014 at 11 AM. Visitation will begin at 10 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Yee Hong Well Foundation would be appreciated. Online condolences may be placed at www.jerrettvaughanchapel.ca.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
36 Entries
Vickie Woo
November 26, 2015
Hi Kok Kwan,
I need you to give me your e-mail address so I can drop you a line. Your last e-mail is through the legacy.com with no-reply.
Vickie
Dec 2011
Vickie Woo
October 20, 2015
I was so shock to find out Lan's passing in Spring. My deepest condolences to her family. Lan was my first friend in Canada at Acadia 43 years ago even before Joe was my friend and then spouse. She visited me in Calgary a few times and once with Kok Kwan. I am glad that we went to Albert Gohs Singapore and Malaysia reunion in December 2011 and had a great time. We saw each other last at Paul and Meis BBQ in Mississauga June 2014. Life is so fragile and unexpected. I will follow Lans example to live each day to the fullest with no regret. I like to meet with Kok Kwan when I am in TO to give respect to Lan. Please contact me.
Ron Lowe
December 15, 2014
I am shocked at the loss of my colleague and friend. Her work as school psychologist at my school was thorough and effective for staff, students and parents. After her retirement, we met as friends and learned of her travels, gardening and on-going self education. She will be missed. My deepest condolences to her family.
Eric Li
December 13, 2014
Lan was a Program Advisor to the Vision Youth Leadership Program. I still remember in 2001, when we first started to plan for the program, Lan agreed to help us without any hesitation. Lan helped us to shape our program and provided numerous ideas for improvement. The last time we met was Lan came out to the Popvote in June. Lan cared a lot about Social justice and inequality. Thank you Lan for all your selfless works for Vision Youth and the Chinese Canadian society. You did make the world a better place. We all will miss you.
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Mary Yeung
December 13, 2014
I am deeply saddened and shocked by the news that you have left us in such a sudden way. Your charm of wisdom, your passion of Chinese poetry, your confidence and assertiveness have presented your special character. You are a kind-hearted and thoughtful person. I still remembered your kind words and the story of your old days you shared with us. You shall be missed. My deepest condolences to Lan's family.
Joanne Bourque
December 13, 2014
It was with sudden shock and deep sadness that I learned of Lan's passing... Her strong convictions and ready efforts to help others, with her many talents and time, are remembered, and remain the Legacy and Light she leaves in this World...
Lan was an Advocate and an Ally in the most positive sense of the words. She gave a voice to those who had little, in her strong support and advocacy for newly-immigrated students and their families and for her fellow-countrymen in both China and Canada. Lan was a Daughter dedicated to her mother and family, who helped to ensure that they were cared for and protected. Lan was a Friend who kindly, and generously, shared her wealth of knowledge ranging from newcomer psychology, to medicinal teas, to teaching about financial markets, to those eager to learn. She enjoyed attending psychology conferences together, and made a point of celebrating both her own and others' achievements in life. I will remember Lan's kindness and support during both difficult and joyful times...
Deepest condolences are offered to Lan's family and friends in their loss. I will miss her. She will not be forgotten.
Gloria Fung
December 13, 2014
Lan Sum was dedicated to the promotion of social justice and democracy. She will be remembered forever by all of us at Canada-Hong Kong Link and Occupy Central with Love and Peace Toronto Support Group.
Elsa Tsang
December 12, 2014
Lan, I first met you on Yellowstone National Park hiking trip organized by Ambrose in 2008. You sat behind Bill and me on the coach bus. We got more time to chat and I felt you were very talented and knowledgeable. Later, as we hiked together more, I found that you were very compassionate and kind hearted. Remember on the most recent hiking trip to Finger Lakes in May, 2014, you came close to me and comforted me. I should have thanked you that your smile and comfort had deeply touched my heart. I regret that I did not tell you earlier. And now you are gone….. You are dearly missed.
My sincerely condolence to the Sum family.
Monica Wolkowski
December 12, 2014
My sincere condolence to the Sum family. It was with great sadness that I learned that Lan had slipped away so suddenly. We met so many years ago in the spring of our professional life, and I remember her as a passionate, caring advocate for all children needing support, and especially sharing her knowledge of the Chinese culture as we helped new immigrants settle into our education system.
Rest in Peace Lan. You have left your footprints and the world is a better place for your having been here!
Barbara Houldin
December 12, 2014
I recall most, Lan's engaging laughter, amazing spirit and passion for causes but I particularly enjoyed her stories about her many adventures. Looking back now, I see that Life in general, was an adventure for Lan; one in which she made a positive difference in many lives. She will be missed. My sincere condolences to her family.
Blane Little
December 12, 2014
What a terrible shock it was to learn of Lan's passing. And what a huge loss to the Sum family, to Lan's friends, and to the world.
The news is hard to absorb, partly because one of the most striking impressions I had of Lan – across the 4 decades that I knew her – is that she never aged. She seemed perpetually young, and was always brimming with health and life. Moreover, her health and strength were clearly mental as well as physical. What a GREAT person she was!
For Lan to disappear now – when she still had so much to give and still so much to enjoy – is a tragedy that struck me like a physical blow. It's an unexpected turn of events that must have rendered so many hearts so heavy ...
I extend my deepest sympathy & condolences to the entire Sum family.
Geri Stairs
December 11, 2014
Saddened to hear of Lan's passing.
Iris Molloy
December 10, 2014
I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of Lan's passing. Lan and I shared many memorable experiences over the years both as colleagues and as friends. She was a dedicated professional and touched many lives with her kind and generous nature. She had many interests and talents, and lived a full and active life. I admired her dedication to her family, her wonderful sense of humour, community involvement, abundant energy, and her fearlessness in all of her endeavors.
My sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family. She will certainly be missed.
Eliza Leung
December 10, 2014
Dear Lan Kwan, I enjoyed our talk. You had an extremely broad and curious mind, and a heart open to life's possibilities. I'm sad that you are gone. But glad you were not afraid.
December 10, 2014
" I was so sorry to here about Lan's passing. She was such a sweet person who always made time to stop and talk to me about her garden even going to the point of bringing me some of her flowers for me to plant.
I will always be reminded of her every time I look at them ! " Judith B. (Scarborough)
December 9, 2014
Lan was a wonderful, supportive colleague to work with who made a positive difference in the lives of the children she worked with. I was saddened to hear of her sudden passing. My very deepest sympathy to her family. Margot Baker (Toronto, ON)
George Lam
December 9, 2014
Lan, no word can express my sorrow and sad to let go of a friend with enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, generosity, multi-talents and activism like you. You were always be well respected, praised, embraced and relied on. Your life was well lived to the fullness. You have no regret at all. We are so blessed and proud to be a friend of you. You will be fondly remembered and missed forever.
Janice Currie
December 9, 2014
I feel words a bit inadequate for the shock this has been. Lan was a force in this world...always energetic, dedicated and with the utmost integrity. I admired her spirit and her perseverance, along with her love of laughter, exercise and health. She was an amazing person and I am better for having known her.
I will miss her spirit and her friendship.
Elaine Attwood
December 9, 2014
Lan, was a woman of compassion and I feel blessed that our paths crossed.
My sincere condolences to Lan's family.
Winnie Ng
December 9, 2014
The Chinese Canadian community has lost an important advocate, a woman leader and above all, a tireless activist. I met Lan back in the early 1980s when we were both active working on various issues such as advocating for the increase of nursing home beds, the head tax redress campaign, etc. She was passionate about equality, social justice and community engagement. She always spoke with such clarity and confidence. She will be dearly missed by all of us.
Thank you so much Lan for your work, leadership and activism. You had made such a difference in the community. I just wish we had the foresight and time to celebrate and salute you! Go well my friend and sister,
Winnie
Winnie Ng
December 8, 2014
The Chinese Canadian community has lost an important advocate, a woman leader and above all, a tireless activist. I met Lan back in the early 1980s when we were both active in CCNC's head tax redress campaign. She was passionate about equality, social justice and community engagement. She always spoke with such clarity and confidence. She will be dearly missed by all of us.
Thank you so much Lan for your work, leadership and activism. You had made such a difference in the community. I just wish we had the foresight and time to properly celebrate and salute you! Go well my friend and sister!
Winnie
December 8, 2014
Lan has been our neighbour for over 10 years. We still remember one winter day after heavy snowfall, Lan went out with her ski and poles to have her cross-country skiing on the street. She had a passion in Life!
We are deeply saddened by the news of Lan's passing. Our heart felt condolences and prayers go to her family and friends during these difficult times.
Peter and Celia Lai (Markham)
Jeanne
December 8, 2014
Lan was always a vivid, knowledgeable and literacy elegant lady to me. Her charming stories and poetries both in Chinese and English had accompanied so many of our hikes. We will miss that for sure.
Wish you rest in peace.
Jeanne
December 8, 2014
Lan was always a vivid, knowledgeable and literacy elegant lady to me. Her charming stories and poetries both in Chinese and English had accompanied so many of our hikes. We will miss that for sure.
Wish you rest in peace.
Jeanne from Hiking Group, Toronto
Rosita Chow
December 8, 2014
Lan Kwan, Sum, I used to call you LAN SUM, mixed up your last and first name but you never correct me. We are hiking friend over 10 years, have had lots of good memories during hiking and travel trips leaded by Ambrose. You such a knowledgable lady, looks like a live dictionary, once we were at Toronto Batanical Garden, I was surprised you recogized all kinds of flowers and name them. Shopping at Garden Basket with you was fun, I still remember you taught me how to select good food and how to read the label on the can, etc....
Hardly to accept you leaving us quitely, deeply sad.....
Light up a candle for you, watch your step, Bye LAN, resting in peace, you will not be forgotten.
Helen Chan
December 5, 2014
Lan and I crossed paths many times. I began teaching in her high school in Hong Kong just after she graduated. We first met, however, as fellow graduate students at OISE and later on as colleagues at TDSB. Lan used to live on the same street as my father and our fathers became friends as well.
In Psychological Services and at the schools she was assigned to at TDSB, Lan was well known and well respected. She worked very hard and was always on the side of the students. Knowing Chinese, she could easily communicate with the parents, particularly when she was working in the Immigrant Assessment Team or working at the schools that had a large Chinese population.
Lan had strong opinions about promoting the status of psychological associates. She became one herself after passing the exam, which enabled her to do some private work after she retired from the board.
After retirement, Lan devoted her time on looking after her mother, on travelling and volunteer work. She and a group of former colleagues met regularly for lunch, where we talked excitingly about our experiences and our former lives at the board.
Lan was very supportive of her family and travelled to South Africa, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the US to visit them. She was all for rational thinking and the individual's right in choosing when to die. Lan was very much a person of action. Her energy and focus on health, her sense of justice, her attention to details and discipline, her activism, her sense of humour,her brightness, and her interest in the financial market, will be forever remembered.
December 5, 2014
Lan, I am in disbelief that you are no longer with us. This is devastating news. It felt like yesterday when you approached me to tell me the news of your condition and asked me to look after your house while you went in for treatment. Our time getting to know each other over the years has been an absolute pleasure and you are a good friend and neighbor.
I will miss watching you take care of your garden and teaching me about all the diverse plants you nurtured throughout the years. Thank you for being so kind to our children, watching our house and taking care of our flowers while we were away. It was always appreciated. I wish I could have done more for you and got to know you better, I'm sorry.
You are a good person and have a sweet soul. May you rest in peace and hope to see you again one day.
Our utmost sincere condolences to the Sum family. We will miss Lan very much as she made a significant impact on our lives.
Ian, Katrina, Ethan and Pierce
Rowena Kir
December 5, 2014
Lan and I were senior high school classmates when I entered Maryknoll Fathers' School in 1959. So we have known each other for well over half a century.
Since we graduated from high school, we had kept up with our friendship. Our paths had crossed quite a few times since we both left Hong Kong. I remember her coming to visit me in San Francisco in 1975/1976 shortly after I started doing research for my Ph D study at UC Medical Centre. After I moved to Australia, I saw her several times in Toronto during my business trips to Toronto in the 1980's and 1990's. For my first visit to Toronto, she arranged for a reunion with a few of our other high school classmates in Toronto. She also invited me to spend a night at her house. I got to meet her parents for the first time. Her father was quite healthy at that time despite his elderly age. I was very impressed with his knowledge in Chinese literature and I can see where Lan's command of the Chinese language and her beautiful Chinese calligraphy came from. Since 2000, we had met each other several times when both of us happened to be in Hong Kong.
Lan had always said she would like to visit Australia. Even in one of her last emails to us, she said she would be coming to Perth to visit our classmate Sam Tang and I am sure to Sydney to visit me...
Lan's passing was too sudden for us to take in and accept. Her image has been on my mind in the past few days. I keep remembering her talent in imitating the mannerisms of our high school teachers. We used to get so much laughter from her imitations. I will always remember Lan as a person with a strong sense of self-respect and self-confidence, a dedication in promoting social justice and a tenacious desire to keep bettering herself in every respect.
She will not be forgotten by her classmates. She is now resting in peace.
With sincere condolences to the Sum family,
Ellen Wong
December 5, 2014
I can hardly believe you have so quietly and peacefully left us. I have known you for 10 years and how quickly these years seem to have passed us by. We have experienced many hiking adventures together throughout the changing seasons. Just like the changing seasons of our lives, we have been through the hardships of winter together and enjoyed the breathtaking beauty of fall. The special times that we shared seem just like recent memories of yesterday. Thank you for your companionship, lessons, and stories that you have shared with those around you. You were the kind of friend who was always there to help and to lend a listening ear. You had a beautiful gift for words. I remember on many occasions turning to you for help. My friend, where are you now at this difficult time? Now that you are gone, we are left with your loving memory. Rest in pace. You will forever remain in our hearts.
Joanna Li
December 5, 2014
I am sad to lose a hiking friend and a volunteer partner in the Toronto Botanical Garden. The more so, when Lan and I were in close contact in her final days.
Below is a message from Ms Sue Hills of Toronto Botanical Garden:
"Hello Joanna, so very sad and stunned to receive this news. Lan made a positive impact wherever she directed her skills and charm, our sincere condolences to her family and friends."
Fred and I conveyed our deepest condolences to the Sum family.
Ellen Wong
December 4, 2014
LAN, ???????????????, ????, ??????????, ????, ????, ??????, ??????????????????????, ??????, ????, ????, ????????????. ???????, ?????, ????, ????????????, ????????, ??????. ??????, ???????????????...............
Love and Miss You, Rest In Peace!
December 4, 2014
Lan's selfless devotion to the betterment of children's and fellow citizens' well-being was exemplary. It is a great loss to the community. Our deepest condolences,
Eric and Monita Ho
December 4, 2014
Shocked to hear this bad news. Please accept my deepest condolences.May Lan Sum rest in peace now.And may Lan's family has strength to go through this tough time.
Ling Ma
Rick Sin
December 3, 2014
The Chinese Canadian community has just lost an outspoken activist. Lan Sum's dedication to racial equality and human rights for all will be dearly missed. Rest in peace!
Penny McGuigan
December 3, 2014
Lan and I worked in Shelburne county , in the elementary school, she a psychologist, testing abilities and offering help To teachers by designing individual teaching plans. I was organizing programmes for my class in the Learning disabilities resource room. We enjoyed solving problems and working with the children. my parents, immigrants from Scotland welcomed Lan into their hearts and home. We were sisters and kindred spirits. LAN introduced me to Chinese Art and Cantonese cooking, we went camping with inter varsity Christian fellowship. We sailed Mahone Bay on Dad's schooner. I met Her sister and Brother at my parents home. . LAN has blessed me with health, knowledge and has increased my circle of friends. And a new family, that she shared with us. She attacked any problem with compassion, patience and showed wisdom.She encouraged me to move to the Annapolis Valley, after she had settled in Middleton, closer to Acadia university. Meanwhile Lan still had the travelling bug, and toured, Russia on her summer vacation. I taught in the resource room for learning disabilities and LAN continued her work as school psychologist. I'm Annapolis county. We were happy to be neighbours again. We both took up running as a hobby. She was so active and fit, a real inspiration to me. She had to go back to OISE to begin her studies for her doctorate in Special Education. She was near her father and mother and siblings in Toronto.
She stll kept in touch with me and my family. She attended my wedding at the Manning Chapel, Acadia..her correspondence was always filled with encouragement and humour, although she had many family losses to bear over the years.she and Kok-Kwan came home to Nova Scotia, to celebrate "our" Mum's. 95th birthday. God has been gracious to me by sending me such a dear and loving friend. She left us so soon, and behind her she left trail of light for us to follow. Wisdom, peace and harmony.
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