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LENA (FUNG HA) YEE
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Lena (Fung Ha) Yee, on March 8, 2026, at the age of 96. Lena passed away peacefully at home with her family by her side.
Lena was predeceased by her husband, Yuen Ark Yee; her son, Philip Yee; her brother, Bak Ming Ng; and her son-in-law, Adam Rickner.
She will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by her children, Marion Tuzi (Mario), Walter Yee, and Cathy Rickner and daughter-in-law Mei Ying Lei. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Jonathan (Marivic), Jason, Justin (Lisa), Natasha (Joel), and Skye (Tyler), and her great-grandchildren, Kyra, Emma, Izaac, Jayden, Lucas, and Izabella. Lena is also survived by her siblings, Fung Tai, Pearl, Chung Ming, John, and Fee Wah.
Lena was born on January 11, 1930, in Taishan, Guangdong, China. As a young girl, she loved learning and excelled in school. She later worked in her father’s store in Taishan until she married her beloved husband, Yuen Ark Yee, in 1947. A year later, they welcomed their first child, Philip.
In 1955, Yuen Ark Yee immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba, and in 1959 Lena joined him to begin their new life in Canada. Her first job in Canada was as a seamstress in a clothing factory. Soon afterward she worked at her husband’s uncle’s store, Wah Hing Grocery Store in Winnipeg’s Chinatown. Having learned how to make tofu before coming to Canada, Lena used that skill to make fresh tofu and grow bean sprouts for the store.
In 1979, Lena and her husband opened Yee’s Grocery Store in Chinatown. Lena continued making tofu and growing bean sprouts for their new business and helped run the store when she was not preparing tofu. She worked at Yee’s Grocery until the early 1990s.
Rather than retiring, Lena continued helping her children at 4 Seasons Chinese Food Restaurant, where she helped until she was in her mid-80s. During that time, she created one of the restaurant’s signature dishes, fondly known as “Mama Yee’s Chicken.”
Lena worked tirelessly throughout her life to provide a better life for her children. She loved going out for dinner with her family, and after retiring she enjoyed going to the casino with her sister and watching Chinese movies.
Above all, Lena’s greatest joy in life was spending time with her family. Her strength, kindness, and devotion to her loved ones will always be remembered.
The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Karen Williams, the Palliative Care Team, the staff at Home Instead and their Care Pros for their kindness and compassionate care. We would also like to express a special thank you to Lena’s Nurse Practitioner, Parusia Purohit, for the exceptional care, support, and time she devoted to Lena.
A Celebration of Life for Lena (Fung Ha) Yee will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Glen Lawn Funeral Home, 455 Lagimodiere Blvd., Winnipeg. Viewing will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Mar 21, 2026
