Joan Wai-Yeuk Lam

Our mother, Joan Wai-Yeuk Lam of Walnut, California, returned to the Lord and joined her husband, Thomas Man-Fong Lam in heaven on November 2, 2020. She passed peacefully at home and was surrounded by her family. She was 93. Joan was born in Swatow, China to a prominent Lee family on July 25, 1928. She was the sixth child of 13 children born to her father Mr. Lee Yai Chow and mother Lee Sau Jing.

Mom was the principal of a Catholic School in Swatow, and met her husband who was a teacher there. She was smitten by his charm, good looks and an easy-going nature. He was liked by everyone. Despite their vast difference in the Chinese social hierarchy, they were married with the full consent of her father. That was a miracle in itself. Grandpa Lee, Joan’s father, was worried sick about mom being alone in the midst of an upheaval created by the Communist uprising in China. Grandpa Lee received a letter from the parish priest in Swatow who acted as a matchmaker for our parents, asked for Mr. Lee’s blessing and attested to our father’s good character and their wish for a holy matrimony. The thought that mom had found a man whom she can trust and love, gave him comfort. And, without much ado, he consented.

Mother had always been in the driver seat in the family. As soon as dad was released from the communist prison camp, she urged him to leave China and with the help of the church to settle in Hong Kong. And soon she followed with her first born child. While seeking for a suitable place to raise a family, our parents accepted a missionary job in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where she took the position as the principal for St. Joseph Catholic School, and where dad assisted in the missionary as a teacher and music director. Until their work visa expired they returned to Hong Kong with a growing family for 4, and then, were blessed with 2 more. Five years later our mother’s ultimate dream became a reality. We immigrated to the United States on an ocean liner SS McKinney in the spring of 1965.

Mom was always a very reliable, punctual, and hardworking individual. Her work ethics were unsurpassed by anyone which earned her promotions in Bank of America, and later, in Wells Fargo. Her punctuality was remarkable that one of her associates declared, “When I see Joan arriving for work, I know it’s 8 o’clock”. Together, they’d earned their American dream. They purchased a house in Walnut, and dad in his busy work schedule graduated with Bachelor Degree.

Retirement was the happiest time in their lives. They travelled all over the world. Volunteered in Church. They joined the choir and dad, naturally, directed the choir. Joan enjoyed tending to their garden, taking care of their grandchildren. Life just couldn’t get any better. And so, they grew old together.

Her beloved husband of 67 years preceded her in death in 2018. She is survived by her children: Theresa, Charles, Kathy, Louis, Mary, Cecilia, 6 grandchildren and a great grandson.

Joan's legacy of faith and perseverance through trials, devotion to family, diligence and loyalty to her employers, her integrity and dignity will always be the qualities her children will always cherish and examples to follow. She is loved and treasured by her family and friends.

This is not a farewell, but, until then.