A shooting star called Lydia at rest in Canada

Nickkita Lau

Friday, February 29, 2008

The remains of comedienne Lydia Shum Din-ha were laid to rest in Burnaby, Canada, early Thursday morning (HK time) after a funeral service attended by 200 people including a representative of the Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Harper, in a message through his representative, Wai Young, praised Shum for being a role model for immigrants and for becoming involved in community service before it became popular to do so.

The Western-style funeral service took place in the chapel of Forest Lawn Memorial Park, where Shum's 20-year- old daughter Joyce Cheng Yan-yee was among those delivering tributes.

"Have you ever seen a shooting star?" Cheng said as she wept. "No? Well, they are very rare. When they appear they are so brilliant, so bright. You are my shooting star, mom."

Also in the attendance were Shum's brother, Canadian fashion designer Alfred Sung, composer Joseph Koo Ka- fai, Television Broadcasts general manager Stephen Chan Chi-wan and Vancouver city councillor Bar Chya Lee.

The cemetery was heavily guarded by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, with media barred during the service and burial. A woman working for a news agency was arrested after she sneaked into the cemetery posing as a driver and started taking pictures. But she was freed later.

In the center of the chapel was a picture of Shum in a red outfit, flashing her signature smile.

The chapel was also decorated with Shum's favorite champagne roses and white orchids.

Among the bouquets was one of white roses and lilies from Shum's former husband, Adam Cheng Siu-chau, who was not in attendance.

After the one-hour service, Shum's remains were buried at a remote location in the cemetery rather than next to her parents. A condolence reception was then held in Richmond. It was attended by celebrities including Anita Lee Yuen-wah, Poon Ji-man and his wife and Tian Ni.

The City of Vancouver declared June 1, 2008 - Shum's 63th birthday - to be "Ms Fei Fei Day." The government explained Shum was better known by her nickname "Fei Fei," which is literally "fatty" in Cantonese.

Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan presented an honorary certificate to Joyce Cheng. "She brought us so much joy," he said in Cantonese. "Her laugh will forever remain on Earth."

A memorial ceremony will be held in Hong Kong on Sunday.