The heavens wept as rain fell at the funeral service for Hong Kong's beloved "happy fruit" Lydia Sum (沈殿霞), which took place yesterday, at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Vancouver, Canada. Many of Lydia's friends and family, including her daughter Joyce Cheng (鄭欣宜), sister Sum Mei Ha (沈美霞) and best friends Florence Chan (陳淑芬) and Mrs Chang (張徹太太) attended the ceremony to say their final farewells to the vivacious entertainer. Celebrities who had retired or emigrated to Canada, including godson Nathan Chan (陳庭威), Joseph Koo (顧家煇), Anita Lee (李婉華), Ji-Man Poon (潘志文) and Chang Yi (張翼), also made the trip to see her for the last time. The ceremony was led by Elliot Yue (岳華). With the mourners mainly dressed in black and carrying dark umbrellas, the sombre attire was adorned with a single white flower worn by each of them. Lydia's favourite blooms of white lilies, orchids and champagne roses also adorned her coffin, which was fronted by a photograph of Lydia's beaming smile against a joyful red background - the image by which the star had wished to be remembered. Lydia's sister gave a touching tribute, saying that Lydia was a filial daughter, who cared a lot for their parents and also for her siblings and had riches in her friendships. She also wished to be sisters with Lydia again in the next life. Joyce also gave a eulogy for her mother, beginning with a question. "Have you ever seen a shooting star? They are rare and you can only see them in the sky for a moment. When they appear, they glisten and shine. Mum, you were my shooting star. It is not your infectious smile or your trademark hairstyle or glasses that I will remember, because these were not the elements that made you. You were always the shimmering shooting star in yourself." Weeping as she spoke, Joyce touched everyone at the service. When the time came for them to step tearfully down the path towards Lydia's final resting place, the entourage showed sadness and longing as they paid their last respects. The wake was held at a nearby restaurant and Joyce seemed to be much calmer when she emerged with her family, but she refused to speak to the waiting press and quietly left to go home and rest. Elliot later said that Joyce has grown up a lot after Lydia's death and although she has been able to stay composed, she is still extremely upset. Anita said that the funeral was very sad and everyone cried, but all their memories of Lydia were happy ones. Credits:batgwa
This is so sad that she passed away. RIP Lydia Sum. I'm going to miss seeing you on the TVB channel. :(
very sad...... it was very touching how Lydia Shum's youngest brother gave a great eulogy of his sister.
