Hon Ying was known for her analytical mind. Back when she lived in a retirement apartment, she was already regarded as an opinion leader among fellow residents. After moving into the Home, she continued to speak up for others. Even nearing 100, she still held a “position”—serving as the Chair of the Home’s Food Committee. Each Mon Sheong Long-Term Care Centre has a Food Committee, which consists of resident representatives from each floor and provides feedback on the menu and dining services. Hon Ying was especially discerning when it comes to food, often joking that she didn’t know how to cook—only how to critique. To her, fresh ingredients were non-negotiable. She was very proactive: whenever her health permitted, she exercised regularly; and before the pandemic, she would even volunteer to help sort the cleaned cutlery, keeping both her eyes and her mind active.

Hon Ying was born in Hong Kong in 1926. Her father, originally from China, had lived in Chile, so she spent s...