After a short but hard-fought battle with Triple Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC), the beautiful giving wife to Lawrence Yik and selfless mother to Keira Emmaline and Mackenzie Everest Lu passed peacefully in Victoria, BC at the young age of 50. Although she passed in hospital, Zoe was able to experience one last full day at her Gordon Head home on Saturday October 14th, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones.
Zoe was second child to the late George Yick Nang and Beatrice Lai Foon Chan, and survived by her siblings Christiana Susan Bancroft, Christopher Manfred Chan, and Arthur Mandart Chan. Among these, she also leaves behind the immediate family members of Yieng-Shin and Alice Lu, Dennis Lu, Angela Lee and Merrick Lu, David, Emily and Nicholas Bancroft, Shirley Po, and Jason Rae.
Zoe was mother and wife first, a proud Boardworks Diving parent second, a dedicated University of Victoria – Department of Sociology employee third, and most importantly a selfless giver weaved through all of these. There were so many people she touched through her warm smile, her bright laugh, her immediate acceptance, her cherished baking, and really just her unbridled kindness. Those that knew her well, also know that she regularly donated blood – a total of eighty-nine times in her short life. She would have reached ninety donations (or more) had it not been for the diagnosis of cancer. Even after she fought through her initial battle with cancer in 2020, she hoped and wished she could donate again. Unfortunately, once you receive this diagnosis, you are unable to donate again until 5 years have passed. Sadly, Zoe could not donate again before her passing.
As part of her ongoing legacy to kindness and giving, Zoe would be proud to see those that she knew and loved donate blood on her behalf. Although the donation of blood, plasma, or bone marrow would be her first choice, she would reluctantly settle 
for a financial donation to Canadian Blood Services in lieu of the life blood that she too received during her time in hospital. In the coming days, Zoe’s family will provide instructions on how to donate in her name.
Zoe’s family is humbled by all the recent love and support they’ve received and are eternally grateful. They wish to invite you to join in honouring Zoe at 2:00 pm, on Friday, November 24, 2023, in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC. The service will also be live-streamed for out-of-town guests.
The family welcomes photo memories and will do their best to include them at the service. Please send along by clicking here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1qY6RgurIEU9l0XWHJ-emqZJrNEd8GLK3?usp=share_link
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
25 Responses
My earliest memory of Zoe was when we first bought our home over a decade ago across the street from your family. I don’t think we had been here for more than an hour when Zoe showed up with her beautiful smile and plates of her famous baking. I realized right there how lucky we were to be your neighbours and soon to be good friends. I cherish the years of watching our kids play together. I don’t think a Christmas went by that those chocolate crinkle cookies (her signature treat) weren’t gratefully devoured by us.
Thank you for sharing your kindness Zoe. I will miss your sweetness and lovely laugh. You made the world a better place in so many ways. We miss you.
So much love to the Lu family ❤️
I am very sorry to hear about Zoe’s passing.
During my time as an undergraduate student at UVic Sociology, Zoe was always a helpful and friendly face in the department.
May she live on through the love she gave to family and friends.
I am so sorry to hear of Zoe’s passing. Such a beautiful person!! Big hugs to all who love her; especially Lawrence, Keira and Mac.
Sending heartfelt condolences. No more suffering, and you are just going to reunion with your parents! Zoe, I miss you!
Zoe…you touched every life you came into contact with. Your smile lit up the room…and the pool. You will be missed, but you will also live forever in our memories and hearts. I loved hanging with you at the pool and at competitions. You were an awesome mom and wife and I was in awe. Take care and save a glass of wine for me. Until we meet again…Janis
I am so sorry for you loss Mandart. Thinking about you and your family at this time. Praying for you all.
I love you, I miss you, I know you are not suffering anymore. We will continue to take care of each other.
Love, Susan
My deepest sympathies. Zoe was an amazing, kind, warm and funny woman. Any time I spent with her at the pool was always fun. She was always welcoming everyone with her beautiful smile. May she live on in the memories and stories you tell about times with her. May you find comfort in the arms of friends and family during this most difficult time.
Todd, Erin, Kamryn and Lauryn Bonnar
My sincere condolences on the passing of Zoe. Though we had not seen other since grade school, she came into my thoughts often as adults; reminding me of our fun times in class, our sleepovers & our time away at Brownie camp. I still have a little Chinese themed change purse that she gave me one year. I will remember her fondly & with love. My next blood or plasma donation will be in her name.
Life’s ebb and flow are tinged with joy and tears,
As the sun’s rise and set mark fleeting years.
Gone in a moment, like stories lost in time,
Yet every ending holds a new beginning’s chime.
In this vast expanse, where sorrow and laughter meets,
Humanity’s tale is woven in bittersweet of this conjecture