elevated RsmMi December 7, 1936 – January 24, 2022

elevated RsmMi Visitation
Friday, January 28, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

elevated RsmMi Due to Covid-19 capacity restrictions, friends may have to wait to pay their respects during the visitation period. We are inviting family and friends to a walk-through visitation only to pay their respects, offer condolences and then kindly exit the building to allow for others to enter.

elevated RsmMi Holy Cross Catholic Funeral Home
211 Langstaff Road East, Thornhill, ON, L3T 3Z6

elevated RsmMi Private Funeral Mass
Saturday, January 29, 2022  – 12:00 p.m.

elevated RsmMi A Private Funeral Mass will be held in the Chapel of St. Joseph within Holy Cross catholic Funeral Home. If you wish to view the mass, please click on the link below at 12:00 p.m.

elevated RsmMi Click here to view the mass.

elevated RsmMi Obituary

elevated RsmMi It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dearest Irene Sau King Yu on Monday, January 24, 2022 from complications due to Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She passed away peacefully at Michael Garron Hospital, at the age of 85 years, surrounded by her loved ones. Beloved mother of Kim Yu. Longtime friend of Fr. Stan Fortuna, her adopted “grandson”.

elevated RsmMi Irene grew up an orphan in a convent in Hong Kong. In her early 20s, she became a governess working for the Consul General of Hong Kong, among other diplomatic envoys, and was able to travel the world. Some of the countries she visited in the 1960s before she settled down were Japan, Italy, Egypt, The Netherlands, India and Germany where she embraced the cultures and often picked up the languages.

elevated RsmMi Irene got married in Canada in her early 30s and used her savings to help purchase a home in East end Toronto. She worked briefly as a Health Care Aide at Toronto General Hospital before giving birth to a daughter, Kim, who she doted on endlessly. Her husband, who came from a very traditional and old fashioned background, only allowed her to work part-time from then on, but she was always hardworking, cheerful and friendly to all who she met. She tried to instill in her daughter that same pioneering spirit, strong work ethic, and generous and loving heart.

elevated RsmMi Over the years, Irene still fully supported her husband and even helped bring his family over from mainland China in the 2000s. She traveled very infrequently and got to see some of China with him and at one point, Cuba, with her daughter. In later years, Irene grew apart from her husband and his family and eventually, she and her husband separated after four decades of marriage.

elevated RsmMi Irene was finally able to travel more again visiting Hong Kong, the U.S., Italy and Poland. She was also able to do fishing trips in Ontario, New York and California – all of which gave her great joy – with her daughter.

elevated RsmMi After spending a few years at Providence Healthcare when she fell ill, it was evident that Irene would have much better care elsewhere. Irene was supported by her daughter and living with her when she passed away.

elevated RsmMi Special thank you to Dr. Kit Lee at the South East Family Health Team, Dr. M. McIntrye and her team at Toronto Rehab, Dr. Carmela Tartaglia at the PSP Clinic at Toronto Western and the many nurses and doctors including Dr. C. Smith, Dr. J. Rosenberg, Dr. J. Abrahamson, Dr. D. Vasilou, Dr. Hynes, Dr. T. Gilas and Dr. D. Mendelson who have taken/were taking good care of her at Michael Garron Hospital before she passed. Irene will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by all her extended family and friends. May she rest in peace.

elevated RsmMi Visitation
The family thanks everyone for the beautiful flowers. In lieu of flowers, please also feel free to make a donation to Francesco Productions, Michael Garron Hospital or the PSP Society of Canada in Irene’s name.  

elevated RsmMi Interment
Christ The King Catholic Cemetery
7770 Steeles Avenue East, Markham, ON, L6B 1A8