MAH, Sau King “Shirley” (Yu)
April 6, 1936 - 2025
Our hearts are broken as we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Sau King ‘Shirley’ Mah.
Shirley was born on April 6, 1936, in the Guongdong Province (also known as Canton) of China, Toisan (Taishan) district, “Barksar” Town, Nansung village.
Shirley attended elementary school in the small village where she lived. She was an eager, diligent student, excelling in all her classes. Following elementary school, she was then accepted into Fencai Middle school, in the busy district of Et Hoi (now known as Huohai). Her father was enormously proud of her academic accomplishments and he built a two-story house nearby, so that Shirley could attend and walk to the school every day.
Shirley’s greatest childhood passion was singing Chinese opera songs. She told her grandma that her dream was to someday perform professionally. Self-taught, she learned to sing difficult songs from various operas. Whenever possible, she would attend local performances. When Shirley and her friends needed respite from homework and studying, they hopped on a ten-minute boat ride to the theatre to treat themselves to a Chinese opera performance.
In June 1955, Shirley and Jimmy were married in Hong Kong. After much celebration, they travelled back to Prince Albert where Jimmy worked long hours at the Airways Café for his father. Shirley worked at a nearby photo studio, colouring black and white photos with special pencils. They lived in a large generational home with many other family members.
In 1957, Shirley and Jimmy decided they wanted their own home and moved to Moose Jaw to open the well-known Arcade Lunch restaurant on the corner of Home Street and 4th Avenue. They became famous for their Fish and Chips Fridays and the ‘Softball’ meal (a hamburger smothered with gravy with fries). Firefighters, police officers, mechanics, truck drivers, friends, local high school kids, and many others from the community were regular patrons. Shirley was always busy, serving out front, sometimes balancing five plates of food while chitchatting with everyone.
Her passion for singing had paused after Shirley married Jimmy and they settled into the restaurant business. She decided to record herself on cassette tapes, singing the Chinese opera songs that she loved so dearly, and played those tapes in the restaurant. The sounds of her voice echoed in the background as patrons ate hamburgers and fries – a true East meets West fusion!
They worked long, hard hours from 7 am to 8 pm, while raising four children. The family of six lived above the restaurant in a tiny, but cozy two-bedroom apartment. The night before Fish and Chip Fridays were spent until past midnight peeling and cutting extra pounds of potatoes and preparing the fish and batter! When the kids were old enough, they helped in the restaurant by sweeping the floors, washing dishes, preparing, and baking some of the butter tarts, apple, or cherry pies, and running the cash register.
Shirley and Jimmy launched another venture in the early 1960’s – they built the Leonard’s Laundromat and Car Wash - a self-service coin operation. Shirley spent countless hours helping fold people’s clothes and bedsheets, keeping the place spotless and clean, and helping roll coins. The kids helped, played, or watched the big screen television (or it seemed big for the time). The two-bay car wash was always bustling.
In 1977, both the restaurant (replaced by a 7-Eleven) and the laundromat (still exists today) were sold. Shirley retired and babysit two young children in their home on Iroquois Street.
Never ones to really relax, Shirley and Jimmy purchased the Legion Confectionery, providing regular customers with coffee, toast, sandwiches, and soup. They enjoyed a slower work pace and the social aspect of being at the store. In 2007, they fully retired, sold the confectionery store, and bought a quaint little house on Stadacona Street. They often went to McDonald’s to have coffee and say “hello” to people and would drive into Regina for family events.
Later in life, in her 50’s and 60’s, her passion for singing rejuvenated when she was invited to perform for the Moose Jaw and Regina Chinese Associations. Shirley enjoyed donning the beautiful and full traditional costume and makeup. She was thrilled to share her love of Chinese Opera and she enjoyed the camaraderie and experience of creating a traditional Chinese performance in Saskatchewan!
Shirley was enormously proud to be the strong woman and driving force behind the family and the flourishing businesses. She enjoyed boasting about her children and grandchildren, as would any mother/grandmother. Shirley and Jimmy’s goal was to ensure their children had a better life, with education after high school and good jobs. Shirley, along with Jimmy, constantly encouraged their children to do their absolute best in school. One of Shirley’s amusing favourite mottos was, ‘No social(izing) just studying!’. Both often said ‘Try…try hard..keep trying!’. For Shirley and Jimmy, nothing was impossible.
In 2019, Shirley and Jimmy sold their cozy home in Moose Jaw and moved to Regina to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They lived close to them and enjoyed more family gatherings, visits, car rides, DQ ice cream stops, A&W teen burger lunches, Lindt chocolates, and Chinese meals. They also enjoyed watching the Chinese television channel.
Shirley was predeceased by her loving husband of 69 years, Jimmy; mother Sau Chee and her father Young Hing of Vancouver. Memories of Shirley will be cherished lovingly by her children, May (Tony Chow) of Regina, Leonard (Sherry) of Saskatoon, David of Regina, and Susan of Regina; grandchildren Tristan and Ariele, Stephanie and Kiana, Jessica, and Ethan. She will also be missed by Shirley’s sisters, Paulette (Dennis Chin) and Jackie (Alex Lee), both of Richmond, B.C.
Shirley had an admirable strength and determination, complemented by her husband’s gentle personality. They were both extremely hard working, and they achieved the dreams from their youthful years when their adventure first began when they moved from China to Canada. We all loved her dearly and will miss her with all our hearts.
Shirley’s children will be holding a private gathering to honour her memory. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Shirley can be made to https://williamboothregina.ca/
To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.speersfuneralchapel.com.
