Thelma passed away peacefully on Monday, 27 June 2022 at the age of 90.
Beloved widow of Ralph Egbert Chong. Loving mother to Yasmin, Randolph, Denise, and Kelvin. Beloved grandmother to grandchildren Sean, Genevieve, Sebastian, Nakesha, Deanna and Matthew and to the great grandchildren Olivia and Xavier.
Thelma originally came to Canada in 1965 and resided in Toronto, Ontario. Although she was a nursing assistant by training she found her calling in playing a critical part in establishing Ralph’s Patty Shop and Bakery. Thelma and Ralph operated the business together for many years before moving to Ottawa to semi-retire. They opened a small bakery and continued to serve and support the local community.
Thelma was well-renowned not just for her cooking skills, but also for her kindness and the willingness to help others. Although Thelma came from humble beginnings herself, she would always give as and when she could, and had many friends and family who held her friendship in high esteem. She was a valued member of the St. Margaret’s Church in Vanier and participated in numerous activities and functions.
Thelma will be sorely missed not just by her family, but by the many people who have had the pleasure of her company in the past years.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff of the Montfort Hospital for their compassionate care in Thelma’s final days.
Friends and family are invited to visit at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Tuesday, July 12 from 9 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 10 a.m. For those wishing to attend virtually via livestream, please click on the above tab to register.
Donations in Memory of Thelma Chong can be made to Hypertension Canada or Diabetes Canada
Livre de visiteurs
Michael Dunstan
Karen Wilson
Dear Goddie
Thank you for being such a loving Godmother, for so many many years. You never forgot us and will always treasure this.
You were such a dear and caring friend to my Mum.
My sincere condolences to Denise and all the family.
Your Mum was such a beautiful person. She will be so sorely missed .
Rest in God’s Perfect Peace dear Goddie
Karen xx
Margot Anderson
The loveliest kindest women I had ever known.
Margot Anderson
Valrie & Dennis Ewan family
Our sincere condolences to the Chong family. Our deepest sympathy; to Yasmin, Randolph, Dennise , Kelvin and grand and great grandchildren your family are in my prayers. She will be truly missed!
She is gone from our sight but never from our hearts. Sending our love to everyone. May her soul rest in eternal peace..☮️☮️☮️❤️❤️❤️
Janet Wong
Thelma was a gentle, friendly, caring person, and she kept in touch with us from whatever part of the globe she happened to be. We will miss her phone calls, cards and especially that lovely smile.
Our deepest sympathy to Yasmin, Randolph, Denise, Kelvin and families.
Audrey Timoll
Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us everyday.
Unseen, unheard but always near.
So loved, so missed so very dear.
Rest In Peace dear friend.
Lee and Audrey
Retired Canadian Red Seal Chef de Cuisine Elisha Luke Campbell
My wife Elaine and I are deeply saddened by the passing of someone we have known for so many years. Although unexpected, we should not mourning. Instead, celebrate her life. She was a true humanitarian, loving, a proud mother, peaceful, kind hearted and was a dedicated wife to her late husband and business partner who we lovingly called Uncle Ralph. They were loved by the community, their Canadian friends, the many Jamaican and other Caribbeans who also called him Uncle Ralph. He loved their profession, it was a true professional Joinery and Craft person ship as they crafted their signature line of culinary expression: Jamaican hard dough , bread and the many other fine Jamaican tasty cuisine for over four decades. She was the anchor of this empire which still bears the name Ralph Bread in all Caribbean communities across Canada.
As we reflect on the life of this great matriarch her sharing and caring with and for others will be with us for ever. A mighty tree has fallen but from this tree we had a bountiful harvest. We thank the family for sharing her with us over the many years. Remembering with thankfulness how wonderful it was to have had someone like her. Our condolences, may the sympathy of others and her precious memory help to comfort us. At this time of celebration our caring thoughts are with you all. Thanks be to God for the great things he have done for her and the family.
Passed President
The Jamaican (Ottawa) Community Association Inc 2009-2012
Retired Canadian Red Steal Chef De Cuisine
Elisha Luke Campbell
Joycelyn Loeffelholz=Rea
Thelma has been a wonderful friend for the past number of years. I missed her a lot over the past couple of years as she was stuck in England due to Covid-19, but she kept in touch by calling on holidays and birthdays. She will be greatly missed. My deepest sympathy goes to her Children and grandchildren. Rest in Peace, Thelma.
Yvonne Rodriques
Graceful, kind, caring, are the words that come to mind when I remember Mrs. Chong. I often reflect, and share with my own children, how welcomed both Mrs. and Mr. Chong made me, and all the friends of their children feel in their home in Mississauga. I remember what an amazing cook Mrs. Chong was, and the variety of good food I enjoyed in that home, especially at Christmas time.
What a special lady she was. My condolences to the entire family.
Andrea Timoll
Dear Chong and extended family
I send my deep condolences and sympathy for the passing of Mrs Chong. I knew Mrs Chong as a spritely lady who was a powerhouse of energy. I’m not sure if I ever saw her sit still for any extended period of time. I always felt welcomed in her home and would continue to feel the kind familiarity of her voice in telephone conversations whilst living in England when she stayed with her daughter Denise for extended periods. RIP kind beautiful lady.
Although it has been a very long time since I last saw Mrs. Chong, all my experiences at her home were warm and welcoming. From unscheduled visit to various parties held by her children, Mrs. Chong demonstrated a caring for others as she did her own children. 90 years is a long time, but still we’ll all feel like she has gone too soon! R.I.P.