Chu Hoi Towe

Chu Hoi Towe (曹劉珠海), known fondly to many as Joy, of Brighton, Massachusetts, passed away on December 13, 2024, at the age of 77.

Born in Guangzhou, China, in the Garlic Hill Village of Taishan Province, Joy was raised in Hong Kong before immigrating to the United States in 1968 following her marriage. Her father, Stanley Lau, bestowed upon her the poetic name 珠海將軍 ("Pearl of the Sea, held in the Position of the Highest Honor"), a name that beautifully reflected her grace, elegance, strength, and leadership.

Joy led a diverse and accomplished life, with many roles that showcased her versatility and dedication. She worked as a restaurateur, accounts manager, florist, and legal interpreter, but above all, her true passion was always her family and the community she helped nurture. A woman of varied interests, Joy enjoyed ballroom dancing, art, Chinese calligraphy, and, most notably, the culinary delights of Chinese and Hong Kong cuisine. She took great joy in cooking for and sharing meals with her loved ones. She was also a devoted fan of Asian dramas and traveled the world after her retirement.

Joy was the beloved wife of the late Bing Howe Towe, who passed away in 2022. She was a devoted mother to Vickie Lau Towe and her husband Brent Chartrand, Vivian Lau Towe and her husband Kenneth Scott Tatlock, and Valerie Lau Towe and her husband Christopher Farnsworth, Esq. She cherished her role as a grandmother to her grandchildren, Mikko Frances Tatlock Towe, Emma Lan Towe Chartrand, Quincy McInnes Tatlock Towe, Astrid Lau Tatlock Towe, and Amelie Lan Farnsworth.

Friends and family are welcome to join the memorial service held in her honor on Monday, December 23, 2024 from 1–3PM at Lehman, Reen & McNamara Funeral Home at 63 Chestnut Hill Ave, Brighton, MA 02135.  Alternatively, there will be a live stream of the service at this link: memorial_stream

Please join us for the reception at 4PM at Joyful Garden located at 550 Arsenal St, Watertown, MA 02472.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: 

American Diabetes Association https://diabetes.org/ways-to-give/memorial-gift

Mass General Hospital https://giving.massgeneral.org/donate

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