Edith Chan
On September 12, 1916, Edith Chan was born as a second-generation Chinese American in the U.S. Her father died when she was only 12 leaving her mother to care for three children. Her mother worked in a sewing factory to provide for the family. However, Edith sewed so much faster than her mother that her mother sent her to the factory while she cleaned up after dinner.
Edith completed only up to the 10th grade at Commerce High School because of hard times but her natural abilities to embrace life and to live life fully taught her everything she needed to be successful in life. At 18, she married her classmate, Albert Chan.
Together they started a dry cleaning business where they worked together for 40 years. In 1974, they retired from dry cleaning and Edith became the manager and bookkeeper for her son, Philip’s model train store. For Phil, the train store was his dream hobby that came true.
After she stopped working regularly at the store, she continued to keep the books until she was 80 years old. She always accounted for every penny and if the workers were short, they would contribute out of their own pockets so that they would not have to get the lecture from Edith.
When her husband, Albert died in 1995, she passed her time by knitting afghans. When she presented them as gifts, people were very appreciative of her handiwork. She found it very gratifying that people enjoyed her work that she made over 25 afghans to give away. She knitted one for each of her grandchildren and their spouses and for all her great grandchildren. All you had to say is “That’s beautiful, I’d love one” and in a month’s time you would have one as a gift from Edith. Now her own daughters, Phyllis and Candi are knitters too.
She loved her mah jong with her friends playing late into the night and sometimes into the morning. Later when she was spending more time at Candi’s home, her grandson, Ryan loaded on a mah jong game on the computer and she would disappear for hours playing by herself. Even when the grandchildren came over, she would appear for a moment to make an appearance and then disappear to get back to her game.
Her friends were special to her. Some played mah jong with her, others got together as the “Y Knot Club,” and still others became the Friday Luncheon Group. Edith and her friends volunteered at the Salvation Army to give back to the community what they have received for themselves.
She was very modern for her day. She was very accepting of all situations allowing her family to grow and mature in life. Edith is remembered for her kindness to everyone. Because of her openness, she became friends to all of her children’s friends. She became everyone’s “Grandma.” She and Albert spent countless vacations with each family.
She was strong and courageous. Things were not always easy but she managed to make the best of every situation. She really demonstrated this through her illness. After having the surgery, she lived her life to the fullest during her recovery time. When the cancer reoccurred, she made the decision that the quality of life was important to her and decided to not have further treatments. She accepted her fate with grace. Throughout all this time of dealing with cancer, she was still teaching the lessons of life to her family.
During the hospice care time, Edith Chan’s family spend much time together that they haven’t had for some time. It was good to have the chance for quality family time. The grandchildren got to know each other better. There were lots of times for laughter, crying and retelling memories with Grandma Edith. Her greatest enjoyment was being with her family and giving of her time with each of them.
One thing that Edith is known for is that she was a well-dressed woman. She cared for the way she looked and made sure that her family looked good too. With her sewing skills refined at an early age, she sewed dresses for the girls for special occasions. She ran a dry cleaning business for 40 years making sure that all her customers looked good too. She loved to shop and would buy new clothes like Calloways and Tommy Bahamas for herself and her grandchildren. And the legacy that she leaves with her afghans will grace many generations to come to be warm and looking good too.
A saying that defined Edith Chan and one that she wanted to share at her service is: “Happy times and bygone days never depart, but grow dearer from year to year within the heart.” You will always remember Edith in your hearts for she truly has been a part of your happiest days.
Edith Chan’s wonderful life was completed on May 18, 2004 when she was 87.