Panel data provided by Madison's Canadian Lumber Reporter.

City Honours Lily Chow

By Elaine Macdonald

                
Lily Chow                                   


Lily (centre)cutting ceremonial ribbon at  Chinese Memorial 
at PrinceGeorge Municipal  Cemetary in August of 2002

Prince George is losing one of it's hardest working dedicated residents and a significant cultural asset.

Lily Chow will soon leave this city which has been her home for decades. At the most recent Council meeting, Mayor Colin Kinsley made a presentation to Ms Chow on behalf of all Prince George residents. He presented her with a framed collection of prints by local artists, depicting Prince George's bridges. Appropriate, as Lily has been the bridge between the Chinese culture and Prince George. She has captured and preserved the role of Chinese Canadians in the development of Northern Interior B.C. and has always been available to be the language bridge between Prince George Business and Chinese delegations. To give the gift more local flavour, it was framed in mountain pine beetle stained wood.

Born in Kuala Lampur Malaysia in 1931, Lily came to Canada in 1967 as a qualified teacher and taught biology, general science and Mandarin at PGSS and Duchess Park Secondary.

She has a Bachelor of Education Degree from UBC and Master's of Education degree from the University of Victoria. Although she retired from teaching high school in 1993, she continued teaching Mandarin at UNBC.

Lily has always been very active in the Prince George Community. She has been a member of many committees, including the Winter City's Committee and the Prince George Chinese Heritage Preservation Society.

Her first book "Sojourners in the North" won the Jeanne Clark Local History Award and is used as a textbook in many colleges and universities.

She has been awarded the Queen's Jubilee Medal for documenting Chinese history in the Norhern Interior and remains active in preserving Chinese Heritage in Barkerville.

Lily has often been called upon to act as interpretor for Chinese dignitaries visiting Prince George, has been asked to interpret in the courts and has given presentations on Chinese Canadian History at schools and universities including Beijeing, Laoning and Guangdoang China.

In accepting the gift from Mayor Kinsley, Ms Chow told Council, she is thankful for the gift, but will leave Prince George with a heavy heart as she has met and worked with so many wonderful people over the years, especially the City staff.


Previous Story - Next Story



Return to Home