Diamond Yee Jing (Chan) Quong

Diamond Chan was born on January 13, 1917, in Victoria, B.C. She and her brother, Leslie, were raised by their mother in Victoria and later in Vancouver. Unfortunately, her father, who was also born in Victoria, died of diphtheria shortly after the birth of Diamond. He contacted it when he was translating for new immigrants in the hospital.

Diamond married Jim Quong, who was working with the American army building the Alaska Highway. When he asked her to marry him, he promised she would only be away from Vancouver for six months. Six months turned into over forty years!

Diamond was a wonderful mother to four children. Meiyan, the eldest, was six when Meilin arrived. Four years later, Meijane was born followed two years later by Ken

She was so proud of all of her children and always emphasized how important it was for them to have a good education. Because she was raised by a single parent her own education was cut short of a high school graduation. She had to find a job to help the family. Diamond worked as a bookkeeper and in later years as a seamstress.

Diamond was a great cook and entertainer. She was generous with her family dinners and often invited church, work, or school friends to join the family. She was Active in the Anglican Church ACW and enjoyed catering those delicious “finger” sandwiches and “dainties.”

The family wrote:

We all share fond memories of helping Mom in the kitchen, whether stirring or putting drops of cookie dough on baking sheets. Dad decorated many wedding and birthday cakes that Mom made, and we were able to learn by watching the process! One of our family traditions is to remember our mom by making her Christmas carrot pudding and serving it alight with brandy.

Her Christian name, Diamond was given as her parents thought she was “most Precious” like a diamond. She was indeed a precious daughter, wife and mom to all of us and for those 94 years we feel blessed.

She is sadly missed by her children: Meiyan (Jeff), Meilin (Jim), Meijane (Raymond), Ken (Kathleen) and her loving grandchildren: Ben, Cameron, Lauren, Spencer and Madeleine.

Diamond passed away on March 4, 2009. She was predeceased in 2003 by her husband, Jim, of 60 years.