Game kept mind sharp
LIVING a largely single life and playing mahjong was said to be the secret to 107-year-old Yung Kiu Lui’s long life.
Mrs Lui died peacefully on September 12.
Her granddaughter, Carolyn Draper, said she lived a tough life which made her a “very strong and independent” woman and single parent.
Mrs Lui was born in DooTau Village in the Chungshan District, Kwong Tung State, China in February 26, 1912.
Her parents were Yee Pao Lui and Jang See. She only had one sibling, younger brother Liu Gum Sun.
When Mrs Lui was young her father moved to Trinidad for work where he unfortunately died at a young age, leaving her mother – a seamstress who made clothes by hand – to raise the family in China.
In 1930, Mrs Lui married Sing Wor Young who returned from China after working in Canada.
On Christmas Day in 1931 they welcomed their only child, Irene. The year after, Mr Young returned to Canada to work and support his family in China.
During World War II, Mrs Lui endured many hardships as her husband was unable to send money over. It was only until after the war that he was able to again start sending money. In 1955, Ms Lui moved to Hong Kong to be closer to her daughter.
In 1964 her husband, who was still living in Canada, died. He had not returned to China since leaving in 1932.
“She was single for most of her life,” Ms Draper said. “She was on her own with my mother, she was very strong and independent.”
Ms Draper said her grandmother was firm but loving.
Mrs Lui moved to Townsville in 1970 to join her daughter and her husband Henry Marr, who lived in North Ward.
“She was helping my mum because (Irene) had four kids under the age of six,” Ms Draper said.
Mrs Lui helped with the housework and cooking. From 1974 she worked as a cook in a takeaway cafe and was living in Hermit Park in her own unit before retiring in 1980.
“She was definitely a great cook and a great seamstress, she would make her own clothing,” Ms Draper said.
“She made a lot of her own clothing.
“The outfit she was buried in she made, she made it years ago in preparation for that event.”
Ms Draper said her grandmother did not speak much English but managed to live independently.
She was a part of the Townsville Chinese Club and could often be found playing mahjong with friends every Sunday.
“She played mahjong, she played that regularly. I think that was a really good way to keep her mind sharp,” Ms Draper said.
“Her only ailment was diabetes. Other than that she was very healthy.
“She never drank, she never smoked.”
When Mrs Lui was 99 she moved into the Villa Vincent nursing home in 2011 where staff affectionately called her Lu Lu.
Life from there on slowed down for Mrs Lui after many of her friends passed on. Her daughter Irene continued to visit her twice a week and would bring her traditional Chinese food.
Mrs Lui had six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.