Lee, Loretta
Loretta Lee’s family history in Canada dates back more than a century. Both her paternal and maternal grandmothers arrived in Calgary, Alberta, in the early 1900s as two of the first Chinese women to arrive in the city. Loretta’s mother, Nellie Ho Lem, was very active in her community as a member of the United Church and the Lady Laurier Club, a women’s organization for the Liberal Party. Loretta grew up in Calgary and in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, where the family lived for a number of years. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Loretta has actively pursued community work and has been a volunteer with the Sien Lok Society in Calgary since its inception.
Loretta's Grandfather Ho Lem was one of the founding members of Calgary, Alberta’s Chinese community. In this photo, his friends and family celebrate his 75th Birthday at the Palliser Hotel. The Ho Lems are seated at the head table next to their daughter Jessie Ho Lem, who was the first Chinese girl born in Calgary. Both Chinese and white guests attended this event, reflecting the integration of the Ho Lem family with the Calgary community at large. Notable guests included Reverend Stephen Yee Tong, the first reverend of the Chinese United Church, and Wong Wah, a member of one of Calgary’s first Chinese families.
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