Catherine Sin-Wan Chow

Catherine Sin-Wan Chow passed away at 73 on Thursday, October 19, 2023, after falling ill while visiting family and friends in Hong Kong.

Catherine was born in Canton, China on May 12,1950 and grew up in Hong Kong. She was a devoted daughter to her parents and, as the oldest of five children, a loving sister to her three younger brothers and sister.

She met her husband Philip Sheung-Lai while attending the University of Texas in Arlington, despite both living and going to school near one another in Hong Kong. After college they moved to Montreal, Canada and married on November 14, 1975 before settling in Phoenix, Arizona. She worked for four years at McGill University in Montreal prior to her 31 years at Honeywell in Phoenix alongside her husband until their retirement in 2007, driving together to and from work every day. In retirement, they enjoyed cruising to every continent together. They studied, lived, worked, and played together for over fifty years.

When Catherine made a friend, it was a friend for life. She would go any distance to help those she loved and kept in regular contact with the many friends she made throughout her life.

Catherine enjoyed spending time with family and friends. She was an excellent cook and took care of everyone around her. As her children began to grow their own families, she joyously embraced the role of grandmother. She loved them all fiercely and she will be greatly missed.

Catherine is survived by her husband, Philip; son, Jeffrey Chow; daughter Jasmina (Arni) Maack; grandsons Emil and Davin Maack; granddaughters Camilia Maack and Coraline Chow; siblings Eric (Tammy) Poon, Alfred (Lucilla) Poon, and Leslie (Tai) Chan. Catherine was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Franklin.

A celebration of life in Catherine’s honor will be held at Gilbert Memorial Park, Gilbert, Arizona, on December 16th at 10am.