Funji's Retirement Party

Funji and Yoda

 In Canada, we have a reputation of being a fair, peaceful country therefore we attract immigrants from all over the world. 

Many new immigrants come to Canada to pursue their dreams. In doing so, many sacrifice their comfortable lifestyles and often their business back home when they land in this cold northern country.

Funji, whose retirement we just celebrated last weekend did just that.  She used to own a street booth variety store next to a local hospital selling hundreds of items which included tissue paper, tooth brushes, clothes, shoes & household products.

Funji worked for Rosie's family for fifteen years

However, she wanted a better life for her family, especially an opportunity for higher education for her son in Canada. 

She gave up what she had in China and came to Canada working as a full time housekeeper for a Canadian family.

Funji helped the family moved a few times

Funji has helped the L's family members from three generations

 Funji has been with her employer’s family for fifteen years. 

She shared and celebrated with her employer’s many family milestones such as both children’s graduation from university, their weddings, Rosie’s promotion and retirement.

 

She was there helping the family moved three times and even outlasted their three cars – a silver BMW, the convertible Mercedes, and a Red RX8.

.

Funji also lends her hands to look after my sis's grandkids

Funji witnessed births & death in three generations:  Tammy, Dad & Lien Ching's passing. 

She knows not just Rosie's family but her employer's big extended families as well as she often prepares food for our big family gatherings.








She also shared in the immense joy of the birth of my sister’s grandchildren, helping with her daughter with the care of the third generation from birth till Brandon turned 4 and his brother, Mason, 3 years old. 
 
Brandon, after spending overnight at my sister’s place, when it was time for Funji to leave, he said " I miss Funji!"

Rosie threw Funji a surprise retirement party last week

Many of us came to honour and wish Funji farewell

 Funji was there cooking and helping the family during our big family gatherings at Christmas and major holidays. My son said in his email to my sister:

"I definitely see Funji as part of the family and she will be missed even though I'm on the other side of the world"  

Below is some fond memory recalled by Rosie, in her own words about Funji who is considered a family member:

The Rogers' and Funji

“It was 2002 when Funji started working for us for over a year. Richard, our younger son invited some of his closest friends over for a get together on a summer night. They were to watch a game of baseball, have a few beer and to talk about life and girls. 

Funji was very attentive all evening & stayed up to make sure the boys were well looked after.

Micheal and Danielle

Having been served food and drinks, the young people wanted to be left alone and tried to get rid of her constant presence. The boys invited Funji to sit with them, offered her some beer together with all the other kind of liquors available in the house. 

M. and Roxy

They thought that she would soon be sleepy from all the alcohol and would finally leave them alone.  

Jordon and his dad

 However, things didn't go as planned!  What they didn't know was that Funji was a business woman in China before she migrated to Canada. 
 
Drinking is in any business person's blood in mainland China - a mandatory and necessary skill acquired thru business meetings back in those times.

One after another, the boys swore they didn't know what happened, they were all drunk & fell asleep before Funji did. 

All they remembered was Funji talking, laughing and having a great time. From that time on, the boys have a lot of respect for Funji who's only half their height and size but could not be out drunk!”

Funji knows our extended family!

 For her dedicated and loyal service for the past fifteen years, my sister threw a surprise retirement party for Funji and she invited all the people who came through her house and were served by Funji.

Thank you, Funji! Happy Retirement!

Presenting Fungi with a retirement gift

 

Our extended families showed up in full force to express our appreciation to her. 

Funji’s son graduated from Chemical Engineering and is currently working in Calgary as a Chemical engineer. She will retire at the end of June and  move to Calgary to join her son there.

We will certainly miss her and her wonderful culinary skills in our next big family gathering.

Funji, our hats off to you for your loyal and great services to Rosie’s and our families.
May God bless you in your new leisure retirement life! 

R.T.

Funji’s Retirement Party

Richmond Hill, Ontario

May, 2015