April 1, 2010

Statement about Maria Ho

J. Kwan: I rise today to pay tribute to a woman who was deeply committed to her family and equally committed to being a teacher, both by profession and in the community she served so energetically for over 40 years.

[1340]

Maria Ho, known as Mimi, fell ill suddenly on Wednesday, March 10. She was diagnosed with an inoperable brain condition at the hospital and died peacefully the next evening surrounded by her husband, three daughters, grandson, and other close family members and friends.

Mimi founded the Strathcona Chinese Dance Company at the community centre in 1973 and was artistic director for 37 years until her death. The company has performed countless times in locations across Canada and in many places around the world.

Mimi’s dedication to dance as a cultural expression did not end with her artistic leadership. She was also a very determined and successful fundraiser so that the costs of productions, costumes and travel were covered. In fact, I ran into Mimi just a few months ago at a fabric store, and — yes, you guessed it — she was looking for material for her dancers that she could produce for their productions.

Mimi was a recipient of many local, national and international awards of recognition, too many to list here, but they include a Civic Merit Award from the city of Vancouver in 1996, several cultural services awards from the government of Macau and a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister of Canada in 1998.

Mimi’s efforts extended to other community organizations and causes as well. Among other things, she was a founding and life member of the SUCCESS Foundation and a life member of the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver. Over the years, she raised money for the cancer research fund — very fitting that we’re wearing daffodils today — Vancouver’s Children’s Hospital, flood relief in China in 1991 and 1995, and she raised over $10,000 for the Sichuan earthquake relief in 2008.

There will be a memorial service to honour Mimi April 3 at 2 p.m. at the Chinese Cultural Centre. I invite all who knew her to attend.