Chan San

Our beloved mother and Yeay (grandmother) Chan San, entered into eternity on August 11, 2020 at the age of 63. She passed away at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, British Columbia. Chan is predeceased by her parents, brother and husbands. She will be fondly remembered by her three sisters in Cambodia; her children, Someth (Viney), Sambath (Cristina), Sara (Scott) and 6 beautiful grandchildren, Kai, Quinn, Ariyanna, Alaina, Niko and Leia. Chan was born in Tramkok, Cambodia on March 1st, 1957. She lived in Cambodia until 1979, when she courageously escaped the killing fields and Khmer Rouge Regime with her husband and 2 month old baby. A close friend advised Chan to avoid the war and not return to Cambodia. Chan's husband worked along the Khmer-Thai border, separating the family from each other. Chan and her son fled to Thailand for safety and unfortunately, she lost contact with her husband and it was presumed that he died in the war. Chan lived in refugee camps along the Khmer-Thai border until she landed in Khao-I-Dang refugee camp around mid 1980 to early 1981 with her family and many other Khmer refugees. She spent the next few years waiting for the Canadian government to sponsor her family into Canada. Chan remarried and in 1984 immigrated to Winnipeg with her husband Sam and 6 year old son, Someth. At the time, she was 8 months pregnant with Sambath. Chan began a new life with her family in Winnipeg, Manitoba. In 1988, she gave birth to Sara and in 1993, Chan's husband passed away. Chan was determined to make a beautiful life for her children, despite the obstacles she was faced with. She was a diligent worker, doing whatever was possible to provide food on the table and a warm, loving home, sometimes working 3 jobs as a single mother to support her family. Chan became a member of The New Apostolic Church, a safe and important place for her family, where she also met many friends who became her extended family members. Chan loved the simple things in life like cooking, gardening, fishing and traveling. She was an amazing cook and avid gardener. She loved flowers, nature, dressing up and exploring new places but Chan loved nothing more than her children and grandchildren; they were her pride and joy. The family would like to thank Dr. Ashwell and Dr. Hart from Oncology B.C, the staff at Royal Jubilee Hospital for their care and support as well as the many friends and family who have extended their condolences and kind regards during this time. A celebration of life will take place at a later date in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Mom, we love you and you will be greatly missed.