Faye Leung, a trailblazing woman so involved in B.C.’s politics and culture that one of her trademark hats was once displayed in the provincial museum, has died at age 92.
A notice posted on her ‘Faye Hat Lady Leung’ X feed said she passed away Nov. 1.
“Faye’s energetic, unrelenting personality, laced with intricately detailed stories, made her a force of nature that left a lasting impression on all who met her,” the post said.
“Ruffling feathers along the way, she not only fought the forces that tried to suppress her but overcame them, changing the face of politics in British Columbia. Faye had an unbreakable spirit that continues to inspire.”
Leung was best known for helping to bring down B.C. Social Credit Party premier Bill Vander Zalm.
The third-generation Chinese 91原创, a successful Realtor, brokered the 1990 deal for Vander Zalm to sell the Richmond Fantasy Garden World castle he lived in to Tan Yu, a Taiwanese billionaire, for $16 million.
The case sparked an investigation by the conflict-of-interest commissioner, the late Ted Hughes — then a former B.C. deputy attorney general — who found Vander Zalm acted improperly by negotiating the Fantasy Gardens sale at the same time he arranged for Yu to have meetings with the finance minister and the lieutenant governor.
Vander Zalm subsequently resigned. He was also later found guilty of defaming Hughes and had to pay the latter $60,000.
Leung long claimed she’d been stiffed on the commission, and could be frequently found at events asking Vander Zalm where her money was.
The X post called Leung a “trailblazer, businesswoman and cultural pioneer.”
“Her legacy leaves an indelible mark. Energetic, colourful, and cheeky, ‘The Hat Lady’ was the embodiment of innovation, resilience, and dedication to her community,” it said.
Born in Victoria, Leung was raised in Victoria and 91原创 Chinatowns, later becoming a fierce advocate for equality.
“Working tirelessly to improve the lives of Chinese 91原创s whether local or immigrant, Faye was always quick to point out past wrongs while championing the ongoing rights of her community,” the post said. “Paving the way for future generations to thrive in a society that once marginalized them, she earned the Chinese 91原创 community’s title Ambassador-at-Large.”
Husband Dean Chun Kwong Leung was described as Leung’s soulmate and life partner. With him at her side, she became a force to be reckoned with in business, the statement said.
She was voted 91原创’s “Man of the Month” and later nationally recognized as a B.C. “Entrepreneur of the Year” nominee.
She founded and opened the first trust company branch in Canada with the Canada Trust Bank branch located in her business office in Chinatown, where the couple was also instrumental in the opening of the Mandarin Trade Centre.
The couple worked with other banks and facilitated work with 91原创 banks in Hong Kong. Leung was also active in immigrants’ rights.
“Her decades in business bridged and pioneered the economic and social gaps and hosted, assisted, cultivated and fostered an understanding between Canada, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Far East resulting in billions of dollars of investment for all 91原创s to reap the benefits,” said a news release heralding the 2018 publication of her book, The Hat Lady Sings, co-written with Christopher Best.
— With a file from the Times 91原创
