Viona Yim Lan Yu-Lam 林余艷蘭夫人

On Friday, September 8^th, 2023, Viona Yim Lan Yu-Lam, or Viona Lam for her friends, loving wife to Horace Lam, passed away peacefully, with her children, Rica and Eric, by her bedside. She was 73 years old.

Viona was born on February 3rd, 1950 in Toisan, China to So Ha Chan and Wai Yun Yu. She spent her early childhood mainly in Guangzhou until the family moved to Hong Kong in the early 60s. There she pursued middle and high school education. 

She immigrated to Canada in 1971. Not having a strong foundation of English, she often struggled in the language. When she came up short in English fluency, she made it up with her sweet personality. Throughout the years, she made a lot of friends of all ethnic backgrounds.

It was while in Montreal that she met Horace and on June 19th, 1976 she married him. They moved to Ottawa in 1979 where they had their first child, Rica, and two years later, welcomed their second child’s arrival. They successfully raised their two children, Rica and Eric, through university while living in Ottawa.     

Viona had a passion for sewing, cooking, travel and ballroom dancing. One friend said of her, “If someone is wearing an unaltered dress, she is not Viona.” She almost plans her alterations before she purchases a dress. As to her cooking, before she retired, she could cook up a storm. For the Chinese New Year dinner, she would cook up to six dishes of different meats and vegetables.

Her love for her grandchildren was apparent in everything she made, especially her congee (jook).  They just adored Popo-made congee. The one ingredient which was hard to replace was her love.

Viona often attended various classes with her Chinese group at the Yet Keen Seniors Day Center in Chinatown.   When she wasn’t dancing or playing ping pong, she would be arranging the next family gathering or keeping tabs on everyone in WeChat or WhatsApp.  

Viona was predeceased by her father, Wai Yun Yu, and mother, So Ha Chan. She is survived by her husband Horace, her two children, Rica Lam Hopkinson (Michael Hopkinson) and Eric Lam. Grandchildren Cameron and Spencer Hopkinson. Sisters, Ching-Woon, Carmen and Margaret, brothers George and Edward, and many cousins, nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday September 15th, 2023 at the Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services (280 Beechwood Ave, Ottawa) from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., with Words of Remembrance to follow at 3:30 p.m.. In lieu of Flowers donations may be sent to: Yet Keen Seniors' Day Centre online via SWCHC's CanadaHelps page (credit card only):  https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/12742?v1=true  (Select "6. Yet Keen Seniors Day Centre). You can leave a memo to indicate whom on behalf you are donating.