Siu, Holly
In 1937, Holly Siu (née Louie) was born to parents Wah Hoy Louie and Theresa Louie (née Sue). Holly recalls that she and her four siblings had many childhood responsibilities. After school, some of the children worked at the family’s restaurant, some worked at the family’s grocery store, and others did chores in the home. Holly has fond recollections of childhood in Vancouver, British Columbia’s Chinatown – she remembers it as a safe environment where she and her family attended church and school. Holly took secretarial courses at Fairview High School of Commerce and was hired at Columbia Caterers Ltd. upon graduation. From 1959-1961, Holly was the only Chinese employee at the Vancouver office of the Controller of Treasury, a branch of the federal government. She resigned in 1961 so she and her husband could raise three children and run their grocery store business. Holly’s third job was at the Vancouver Medical Laboratory, and in the 1970s she was hired at the Richmond Hospital, where she remained until her retirement 25 years later. At the time of the interview, she was the President of the Women’s Missionary Society at the Chinese Presbyterian Church and regularly organized church outreach and fundraising activities.
In this interview, Holly Siu (née Louie) describes growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia. She talks about her family’s grocery store business and the family’s living quarters at the back of the store. She compares Vancouver’s Chinatown of her childhood to Vancouver’s Chinatown today. Her schooling and early work experiences as a secretary are briefly discussed, as are her courtship and marriage to Eddie Siu. She explains the significance of the Chinese Presbyterian Church in her life, and her community involvement through church activities. She discusses her children, and how she balanced work and child rearing.
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