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BORN
1940
DIED
2022
FUNERAL HOME
Mary Lai Obituary
Born on January 7, 1940 in Hong Kong, China Mary was the oldest of seven children of the late Jong Man Yip and Liu Hee Tai Yip. She was also predeceased by her brother, Jackson Yip.
Mary and her devoted husband, Paul Lai, were married in 1960. In 1969, they moved from Brooklyn, NY to Colonie, where they owned and operated Jack's Chinese Restaurant together for almost three decades. Mary and Paul have resided in the Capital Region for over 50 years.
Mary was a devout Christian and dedicated member of the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Albany. She enjoyed participating in Christian Fellowship, exercising at the Village of Colonie Senior Citizens Center, and dining out with friends and members of her church community. Most of all, Mary was a devoted wife, amazing mother, and loving grandmother. As the family matriarch, she was a model example of how to live life with faith, love, and compassion. She will be sorely missed.
Mary was survived by her husband, Paul Kok Hung Lai, her five children, Vincent (Agnes) Lai of Hong Kong, William (Mimi) Lai of Albany, David (Angela Cheng) Lai of Westchester, Edward (Mia) Lai of Boston, MA, and Cynthia (Shigenobu) Morinaga of Germany; her five siblings, Elaine (Phillip) Ho, James (Ling) Yip, Ken (Kenneth) Eng, Lillian (late husband Henry) Lee, and MaryAnn (Frank) Lee; eleven grandchildren, Samantha, Alexandra, Benjamin, Justin, Skylar, Grace, Megan, Ethan, Mason, Madison and Emma; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 4 until 7 p.m. and on Tuesday from 9 until 10 a.m. at Griswold Funeral Home, 1867 State St., Schenectady.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Entombment will take place at Evergreen Memorial Park.
Please consider a donation in Mary's name to the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Albany in lieu of flowers. Donations may be placed in a collection box during the service, mailed to 901 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12208, or through the church website at https://www.cccga.org
To leave a message of condolence to the family, please visit www.sbfuneralhome.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Mary Lai
Sponsored by Griswold Funeral Home.
1 Entry
Dominick and Shireen Fasciglione
March 12, 2022
Our sincere condolences to the Lai family. Mrs. Lai was a friendly and gracious neighborhood mom when I was a kid. She will be missed.
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