- Date Of Birth: Jun 23, 1955
- Date Of Death: Jan 7, 2023
- Spouse: Peter Wong Bing Chung
- Siblings: Hedy Chan Chui Siew, Sonny Chan Cheok Siew, Robin Chan Chiok San
- Children: Michelle Wong Choo Yian, Melissa Wong Nguk Yian, Melvin Wong Hwang Chee
- Resting Place: Methodist Christian Cemetery, Kuching, Sarawak (https://goo.gl/maps/UhZNpJhmP9DUAvoa6)
- Occupation: Assistant administrator for Corporate Finance Division (CFD) in SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation)
- City: Kuching
- State: Sarawak
Early Life
Daisy Chan was born on June 23, 1955 in Miri, Sarawak. She was born into a family with four siblings and she was the youngest. Her late father passed away when she was 10 years old and was brought up by a single mother.
She began her primary school education in 1962 in Primary 1 (aged 7) at St. Mary’s Primary School (girl school) in Kuching, Sarawak until she completed her Primary 6 studies at age 12 in 1967. She subsequently entered her secondary education years in 1968 in Form 1 at St. Mary’s Secondary School and graduated with a high school diploma in 1972 in Form 5. She was famously known among her classmates to be the tallest in the class and the first to begin a married life.
Career
She obtained her first job at Kutex Sdn. Bhd. and served from September 9, 1974 until April 30, 1980 where her final position was a senior accounts clerk. She eventually left for SEDC (Sarawak Economic Development Corporation) where she served for 35 years from May 2, 1980 until June 23, 2015 when she retired at the age of 60. She started as an accounts clerk and eventually promoted to be the assistant administrator for the corporate finance division (CFD) where she was in charge of payroll.
Throughout her career, Daisy was awarded Pingat Perkhidmatan Terpuji (PPT) medal from the state government of Sarawak in October 24, 2009 under the Public Service Medal (Pingat Pentadbiran Awam) category in recognizing her public service. She also received SEDC’s Long Service Award for her 30 years of dedicated and loyal service from May 2, 1980 to May 2, 2010, as well as the 2014 SEDC Integrity Award. She was awarded an excellent service award from the Sarawak government in 2014.
Family and Personal Life
Daisy got married to Peter Wong Bing Chung in 1974. They were blessed with two daughters and a son – Michelle Wong Choo Yian, Melissa Wong Nyuk Yian and Melvin Wong Hwang Chee. During her married life, she moved from place to place in Kuching, namely Ellis Road, Pisang Road West and Stapok Heights. She was a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She seldom complained nor seek acknowledgment from her family for the hard work she endured. She was the “Rock of Gibraltar” of the family for keeping the family positive and together, especially through hard times.
Daisy was passionate about baking, cooking and craft works. During her early married life, her hobby was making crochet tablecloths and cross-stitch art. Before her death, she was still seen making crochet dishcloths (also known as scrubbies) and giving them away to friends, family and acquaintances.
She is also known for her chicken curry, cheese straw biscuit, and pineapple tart biscuit which she often served her guests during every Chinese New Year celebration for over 20 years. She frequently shared cooking recipes with her friends and family.
She was also famous for her exceptional handwriting. She maintained her flawless handwriting skill from her childhood until her death.
Daisy enjoyed collecting kitchen gadgets and appliances. She owned a proud collection of Tupperware containers stretching from the largest (24 liters) to the tiniest (the size of a keychain). The last electrical kitchen appliance she purchased was a Philips air fryer.
Most of her friends and family remember her for being a very positive and friendly person. In fact, she was one of Dr. Voon Pei Jye’s favorite patients at Sarawak General Hospital. She often treated her children’s friends as her own friends and was known as a trusted confidante among everyone.
Even though she lived in a middle-class family, Daisy Chan is known for her altruistic quality. She is known to be generous among her peers and family members and was willing to give rather than to take. She donated to her church and hospital. She was a great listener and comforter, and was often the first to extend birthday wishes to her loved ones and friends.
An avid traveler when the opportunity arose, she had been to countries like Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK, USA and United Arab Emirates. She visited Australia on four occasions.
Tributes
You smiled when others frowned,
You cheered when others groaned,
You served when others took,
You mended what others broke,
You comforted when others griefed,
You stayed when others heaved,
You taught when others learned,
You eased when others burned,
You gave for others to receive,
You spurred for others to achieve,
For now, you rest while we continue to be inspired,
For now, you sleep while we remember you forever.
Melvin Wong
My dearest small mushroom, will always missing your warm hugs and generosities.. the one that always fullfill my life with never ending praises 🥰🥰 forever in my heart ❤️
Charlene Chan
Gooma, my second mother, my caregiver, my biggest supporter in my life. She was no other person but herself.
Callia Song
Dearest Daisy,
You are the sister I have never had; friendly, kind, helpful and caring. You warmly welcomed me into the family. You gave me advice and help when I went on traveling. You even offered to drive when we went out to eat together. You made sure I was ok even though you were the one not well. There’s endless memories….will always be remembered in my prayers. Rest in peace with the risen Lord dear. Amen.
Freda Ng
Auntie Daisy was a warm and welcoming person. Her cheerful personality inspired me.
Wong Ho Lock
She is kind and thoughtful, and the biggest fan of her children.
Wong Ho Hock
To my dear Daisy Chan in heaven,
My last encounter with you was at Rita Ong’s shop in 2022.
I have a brief moment with you and when I shared with you how I have lost four of my members in my family, you too shared that brief moment of your struggle with me too.
You said, “I have always kept myself in a positive outlook for my family and friends.”
This is for you, dear Daisy.
A Beautiful Daisy
Daisy, Daisy, Daisy,
A flower that always blooms everywhere,
A hope that gives inspiration to others,
A love that never fails to your family and friends,
A cheerful gesture that gives us joy,
A positive outlook to remind us what Life is all about,
Daisy, Daisy, Daisy,
That is who you are, beautiful inside and outside,
Gone but not forgotten.
Jennie SYK, Miri – Jan 10, 2023
My dearest Daisy in heaven,
It’s been a few days since you left us but you have been in my thoughts every day. Still can’t believe you are gone from us but thankful that you are now in a much better place in the eternal kingdom with Jesus.
We have been school mates from primary 1 to form 5. Those years are very vague in my memory, but I do remember visiting you in your home in Pisang Road West. Your mum was always so hospitable and generous with the food. Yes there were always nice things to eat at your house.
Remember how we used to spend hours in Aurora coffee house enjoying the chicken pies with Lingham’s Chilli Sauce and iced lemon tea?
After Form 5 we went our separate ways, but what a joy it was that we were able to reconnect some years ago and calling ourselves the Goldies. And boy did we make up for the lost time, spending hours and hours eating, catching up, chattering, reminiscing, dancing and doing what Goldies of our age do. We were usually the loudest and stayed the longest in all the venues we patronised, from kopitiams, to cafes, restaurants, hotels and the Sarawak Club. I guess we Goldies just wanna have fun!!!
Dear Daisy you were always so cheerful and positive and had such an infectious laugh. No one would have guessed that you had so much to deal with. You are truly an inspiration to others and I’m sure you were and will continue to be a role model to your children and grandchildren. Yes, your family was always so important to you. No matter how exciting the gatherings promised to be, you would never allow them to come in the way of your family time during weekends.
We will certainly feel your absence in our gatherings but we know you are surely smiling over us and laughing with us.
Farewell and love you my dear Daisy.
Lily Kong – Jan 11, 2023
Daisy, we were schoolmates since 1967. I got to know you better in our Golden Goldies years from 2015 when we started the WhatsApp Group and slowly gathered all members from year of 1972 Marians. We had such fun with regular crazy meetups for brekkie, lunch or dinners. I really cherish our friendship and the time spent together. We were so happy chatting endlessly as if there was no tomorrow. As if that was not enough, we would then adjourn to another venue to continue our meetings and eat some more. You even offered to pick me up to go together to attend our Goldies Get-Together Dinners.
On every Goldie’s birthday, you were always the earliest bird to send birthday wishes. We are truly going to miss these early cheerful greetings. Our friendship grew stronger when we began to share the same interest in crocheting and knitting, handbags and many more other topics. We often chatted privately so I will really miss that. You were such a strong lady and so very positive.
Though you are gone you are surely not forgotten. Daisy, I will cherish our friendship forever. ♥️
Lily Sia – Jan 10, 2023
My memories of Daisy – such a kind, positive, friendly, sweet & loving friend. Always cheerful & a regular at our breakfast/brunch meetups. Rest in peace, my dearest friend. 🙏Amen.
Mary Wee
Buah hati 😭 so sad to hear our dearest Daisy’s passing. Rest in peace dearest. Going to miss her 😭😭😭
Siti Zabeth
I am no writer nor a poet but a memory of Daisy that will stay in my mind and all of us.
Daisy, our dearest friend since childhood days.
You have become our calendar in our golden years, for some of us who can forget easily. 🙈🤣
Your lovely text, in the wee hours of the morning, greeting us of a reminder of our BIRTHDAY date will never be forgotten. WHAT a treasured memory to me!!!!
I bet you some of us, can’t even remember our own birthdate BUT YOU DID, Daisy. Bet you, Goldies some of you will agree with me.
Daisy, you have a dear heart ♥️ to do that without a miss. So for each one of us, you will come to our mind, first thing when our birthday comes around saying
Oh No!!! Daisy is not here to announce to us. We will miss you Daisy. ♥️🧡💙
Nancy England – Jan 10, 2023
To my constant companion… in cooking classes, walking to the bus terminal, giggling over sweet nothings, so many others… you have left a void in my life!!! 😪😪
Gladys Ee
Sad to hear of Daisy’s demise. Rest in peace. Will miss you n your joyous laughter
Julia Kueh
Oh dear, really feel sad and teary as she is such a sweet person. I will miss her and may her soul rest in peace.
Linda Wong Ju Yit
So very, very sad and missing my dear friend and ole classmate, Daisy from St Mary’s Primary school days already, after reading the news posted above. Our dear Daisy Chan, our good friend, rest in peace now. The memories that we shared will always be in our midst. Fare thee well, my beloved one. We will miss you dearly, dearest Daisy Chan.
Lily Eu
Oh no….we were messaging each other not too long ago……dearest Daisy rest in eternal peace. Will miss you…your infectious laughter & your kindness. 🙏🙏🙏😭😭😭
Jane Nichol
OMG. I just talked to her the other day when she was in the hospital for check-up. May our dear friend Daisy Chan RIP. So sad to read the news. Amen…
Datin Sareena Lim
Oh, oh, oh, so sad to read. The first grand mama in our group. The one who keeps track of our birthdays and always the first to wish us Happy Birthday.
Lilian Ong
Oh no, my last chat with her was on 2nd of Jan, Monday, when she posted the photos of our pre-Christmas gathering at Sunnydale. 😭😭
One of my besties in school. Will miss her so much. May her kind, loving soul be at peace in heaven 🙏
Adeline Lee
Can’t believe it! No wonder I couldn’t sleep last night! Oh my dearest & bestie Daisy.
A great loss of a friend to all of us. May you RIP. ❤️❤️❤️
Connie Loo
Daisy, knowing you during my young days and being classmates then, was indeed a blessing. You’re such a good friend, as beautiful like your name, the beautiful flower of Daisy. I remembered during our school day’s time, you used to cycle to school, passed by my house, and we used to cycled to school together.
Daisy, you may be out of our sight but never out of our heart!
Life moves on, but memory don’t. You may be gone with the Almighty Lord but our Friendship will always remain in my heart forever. I miss you…😍😭❗
There is Friendship imprinted in our Hearts that will never be diminished by time and distance… ❤️❤️❤️Love you Daisy.
Jubidah Taha – Jan 10, 2023
Hey Melvin and family! Here’s a toast to your mom, we did not get a chance to know her, but we do know you and by extension, she was special, who cared about others, kind and thoughtful and always there to lend a hand, an ear or just something as simple as a smile 😊
Here’s to Mom! Cheers!!!
Peter & Lucretia
I was very shocked to hear of your passing on 7/1/2023 morning when I woke up & I couldn’t believe it. We shared a lot of friendship together as colleagues & we were also both born in Miri and both of our parents were friends too. I will definitely miss our chats & sharing of recipes & cooking together with sister Hedy. Most of all I will miss is celebrating our same birthday together although I’m just a year older. May you rest in eternal peace with our Almighty God. 🙏🏻
Vivin Lee
Dear Daisy,
I am so sorry to hear about the news.
I remember meeting you in Kuala Lumpur, and I could feel that you have a kind and warm spirit. You must be truly a special person who will be deeply missed by all who knew you.
Gone too soon but may God be with you.
Jasmine Lee – Melvin’s friend
