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MONICA IRENE KEW

Born: Jul 21, 1932

Date of Passing: May 17, 2012

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MONICA IRENE KEW The family mourn the passing of our sister, aunt and great-aunt, Monica Irene Kew. Born the oldest of the late Irene and Harry Kew's children on July 21, 1932. Passed away in Winnipeg, Manitoba, on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at the age of 79. Monica was born and raised in Hong Kong, attended the private Anglican British Girls School (Diocesan Girls School) and continued on to a nursing career in radiography. A change in career to social work took Monica to Winnipeg in 1963, where she obtained a BA and Social Work degrees. Monica had a wide circle of friends and many interests from English country dancing, classical and chamber music, to gourmet cooking and water colour painting. She volunteered and fundraised with several musical organizations including the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and sang in the church choir. Her faith was important to her; she attended church regularly and served in various capacities in her church. She is survived by her siblings, sister: Veronica Lau in Vancouver; Jennifer (Matthew) Choy in Hong Kong, brother: Irvin Kew and sister-in-law: Nicola Kew in Victoria; nephews in Vancouver: Vernon (Betty) Lau; Verdi (Nancy) Lau; Alexander (Christine) Kew; in Hong Kong: Vergil (Sang) Lau; Benjamin (Joey) Choy; in Edmonton: Dr. Jonathan (Isabelle) Choy; in Victoria: Jason (Joan) Kew; niece: Henrietta (Nicholas) Gregory in Vancouver; seven great-nephews and seven great-nieces. A memorial service will be held at St. Michael and All Angels Church, 300 Hugo St. N., Winnipeg on Friday, May 25 at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or to the Canadian Cancer Society. Special thanks to Father Klassen and all her close friends who cared for her in her final days.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 22, 2012

Condolences & Memories (9 entries)

  • My belated condolences to the Kew family. My years in Winnipeg were made memorable by having known Monica who was always kind and generous in sharing her life experiences with us younger undergraduates. Even though it was years before we met again in Vancouver, Monica remained steadfast in her professionalism and attention to details in all that she did. In many ways her influence on me personally is profound and far reaching than I had realized. She will be missed and not forgotten by us who had the privilege of knowing her. - Posted by: Minnie Ko Wong (friend) on: Jul 25, 2012

  • Please accept my belated condolences to the family. Monica had been a big sister to me, since the day we met in U of M. I also studied social work, and Monica had never stopped giving me assistance on those studies, and shared with me work experiences. One year we shared the apartment during the summer months, and she taught me how to cook and clean, and best of all how to organize 5 people sharing the same apartment. We still reminisce the good times we have had on her last visit to Toronto. Thanks to Alfred, for alerting us; Monica, will surely be missed by all of her U of M friends.   - Posted by: Lily Choi (Friend) on: Jul 24, 2012

  • Please accept my belated condolences to the family. Monica was a most generous person always concerned with her friends' health and well-being. As a social worker, she was always ready to help other needy people. Filled with the zest for life, she had great taste in music, the arts, antiques, and the art of cooking. I met Monica at the U of M when she returned in the early 1970s to complete her degree in social work. I was just starting university. We lived in the residences during the academic year, and for a couple of summers, a group of us including Monica shared an apartment together. In the apartment Monica organized everything and ran the place like an elder sister and we all had tremendous fun together. Many of us remember fondly the great times we had had. I left Winnipeg in 1974 for Toronto but as a testament to Monica's loyalty to her friends, she never lost touch with me and a few close friends over the several decades when we were living apart. Monica and I exchanged birthday greetings every year, and communicated on the phone occasionally. I discovered the sad news only when I telephoned on her birthday a few days ago. In the summer of 2010, Monica finally visited with me in Toronto after her pilgrimage to Quebec. It was a happy occasion and we had a reunion of sorts with several friends who attended U of M.. She will be sorely missed. - Posted by: Alfred L. Chan (Friend) on: Jul 24, 2012

  • Our Sincere Condolences to the Kew Family. Monica was a long time member of the Manitoba Antique Association and will be deeply missed. The Executive and Members of the Manitoba Antique Association. - Posted by: Carolynn Derkach, Manitoba Antique Association (Fellow Member) on: Jun 04, 2012

  • Monica Kew was a inspiration to me. I am sad that I will not be able to make the service today but sending love and comfort to the the family from afar. She was a great woman and will be missed greatly. - Posted by: Kelsey (Friend) on: May 25, 2012

  • My condolences to the family. I met Monica when we both worked at the Selkirk Hospital for Mental Diseases. She was a bridesmaid at my wedding in 1971. We kept in touch all these years. She was always a fountain of information and support and I always enjoyed her company. I would try to contact her on my various trips to Winnipeg or she would also visit me in Calgary. I will miss her greatly. - Posted by: Lorraine Ellis ( Allison ) (friend) on: May 24, 2012

  • My dear Monica was a most talented and wonderfully kind soul. She told me her hands were the symbol for her life. We shared so many interests and collaborated on so many fundraising events together; we also enjoyed frequent trips to Chinatown. She had a zest for life and always had a creative idea for something new! I will miss you, dear friend! - Posted by: Candace Ritchey Chapman (Friend) on: May 24, 2012

  • Dear Monica, I'm so deeply sorry that you have left us so soon. You have been a dear friend, role model and colleague. You've touched so many lives with your kindness, dedication and generosity. We will miss you. - Posted by: Antoinette ZLoty (Friend) on: May 23, 2012

  • My condolences to the Kew family. Monica was most helpful to V.G.in obtaining copies of our archival tapes. She had friends who would have the new technologies to do this, and we would visit them together. Monica also took part in an Historical Fashion Review, held as a Fund Raiser for All Saints Church. She modelled a beautiful early 19th Century dress, which she had made into an exact replica. Monica always paid strict attention to detail. At this same event she was very involved with the refreshments for the large audience. Unfortunately, Monica's health did not allow her to dance as much as she would have liked. We will miss you. - Posted by: Jackie Soble (V.G.dancing friend) on: May 23, 2012

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