MLA offers condolences for Hong Kong comedienne
Thu, February 28 2008
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Actress Lydia Shum |
It was a passing felt on two continents. Richard Lee, MLA for Burnaby North and Parliamentary Secretary for the Asia Pacific Initiative, has extended condolences to the family of Hong Kong actress and comedienne Lydia Shum.
Shum, a legend in Hong Kong, where she died of cancer last week following 40 years in show biz both on stage and television, was well known in Metro Vancouver for her tireless charity work . . . as well as her impressive size, her signature dark-rimmed glasses and her spectacular hair-dos. Shum has been established mainly as a comic and dramatic actress, but is not limited to films in those genres.
“Ms. Shum was a talented comedienne. She devoted the best years of her life to entertaining and bringing laughter to thousands of audiences,” says MLA Lee in a press statement.
Shum participated in many charity events in British Columbia including the fundraising gala of S.U.C.C.E.S.S. held annually at the GM Place,” Lee also said.
“Her contributions and commitment to serve the needy will always be remembered.”
Shum, the sister of fashion designer Alfred Sung, married Hong Kong actor and singer Adam Cheng Siu-chow in Vancouver in 1985.
The couple had a daughter, Joyce, but divorced eight months later.
Shum, who entered the Hong Kong entertainment industry as a singer at age 13 in 1958 and made her acting debut just two years later, passed away in Hong Kong following a prolonged fight with liver cancer.
“On behalf of the local community, I offer our sincerest condolences to Ms. Shum’s daughter as well as her other family members,” said Lee. “We are all saddened at the loss of a great comedienne and a community cultural ambassador.”
Shum’s body was transported by a Cathay Pacific passenger flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver, Canada. Shum will be buried next to her parents at Burnaby’s Forest Lawn Memorial Park on February 27 in a private ceremony.
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