Ping Ngan (née Lau) Lee

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ping Ngan Lee (Lau) at Victoria Hospital on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Her illness was unexpected, her decline was rapid, and her passing was sudden.

She is the beloved mother of Mon-Fai, Wai-Hing (Gary Bucknell), Wai-Lin (Robert Johnson), and Wai Ying (Michael Oates). She is also the cherished grandmother (Popo) of Lauren Reinholt (Phillip Mics), Jordan Bucknell, Dominic Oates, and Thomas Oates.

She arrived in Canada in 1968, living in Stratford, Ontario until moving to London in 1972 to open the Golden Dragon Restaurant with her husband, the late Frank Hop Lee (2010), eventually selling the restaurant in 1996.

For those who knew her during her years at the restaurant, she was the tireless, ever-busy abiding spirit who always had a twinkle in her eye along with an open and welcoming smile. She never felt truly comfortable speaking English, but it never deterred her from getting to know you better, to offer words of encouragement and cheer.

She was an avid numismatist, amassing collections of Canadian coins and bills to give to her family; she had a magpie eye for jewelry, purchasing choice pieces throughout her life for her family; she loved flowers but generally avoided the outdoors since she feared insects; she was happy to defer to the wishes of others unless it seemed really wrong to her.

She found joy in eliciting a smile from a baby, taking care of her grandchildren (particularly when they were babies), spending time with family, road trips, and shopping with her grandkids.

Her greatest joy was in knowing her children and grandchildren were happy, healthy, and well-provided for. We will miss her forever but know she lives on in our hearts and memories, a guiding spirit watching over us from afar.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 26, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Westview Funeral Chapel, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where a funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. Registration and proof of double vaccination will be required to attend the visitation or the service.

To register for the visitation, please click here: Registration page for Ping’s visitation on Friday, November 26, 2021 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

To register for the service, please click here: Registration page for Ping’s service on Saturday, November 27, 2021 at 10:30 a.m.

Ping’s open and kind heart extended to many, but particularly to those in need. In celebration of her generous soul, kindly consider a memorial donation to the London Food Bank or United Way Elgin Middlesex.