Mrs Florrie Chan

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 47, 6 May 1986, Page 7

Mrs Florrie Chan

The funeral of respected Ohakune identity, Mrs Florrie Chan was held on Saturday. Mrs Chan, who lived in Ohakune for nearly 40 years, died while on holiday in Wellington with her family. She Was the daughter of one of the best-known Chinese cooks of his time, Wong Mong Jook, who cooked for the Chinese Embassy. Florrie Wong was born in Feilding, the third of nine children. When she was 25, she married Ernest (Ernie) Chan at the Ohakune Presbyterian Church. They moved to a green-grocery business which was established by Mr Chan's father, Chan Fung, at Ohakune Junction. In the Chinese tradition, Mrs Chan followed her hus-

band's lifestyle and worked at the store, right up to the day before her first child, Richard, was born. Ernest Chan later built the house in Mangawhero Terrace where Mrs Chan lived until she died. Mrs Chan took after her father in her cooking skills. Her cream sponges and apple turnovers were famous. After Ernie Chan's death two years ago, Mrs Chan continued supporting the organisations her husband had been involved with. She helped organise food forfunctionsat the Masonic Lodge and was a member of the Lodge's ladies section. She also supported Rotary which her husband previously belonged to. "She was concerned about people and helped anywhere if she knew help was wanted," said one of her good friends Mrs Beryl Pearson of Ohakune.

Mrs Chan was very involved in the Fresbyterian Church, but mixed with ministers of all denominations. She has been very involved with the Church Opportunity shop. Many of the sympathy cards received by the family have expressed Mrs Chan's "generous, gentle and gracious qualities." She died in Wellington while visiting her adored sons and grandchildren. She appeared to be in good health and her son Richard said she was trying to decide whether to make a trip to America or China! Mrs Chan leaves her son Richard, a Wellington solicitor with two children, and son Michael, an accountant in Wellington also with two children. She also had four brothers and four sisters who are still living. She was buried next to her husband at the Ohakune Cemetery.