Margaret Zee-Lan Fong, 86 of Newtown, passed away on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, at Danbury Hospital with her family at her bedside.

Margaret was born on October 8, 1937, in Taiwan to Hou Yen Chan and So Eng Chan, and was the fourth of seven children. From there, her family moved to Shanghai, China before settling in Hong Kong. Margaret attended the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, British Columbia, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Mathematics in 1962. She would eventually meet her husband Jack through mutual work at McGill University in Montreal at Montreal Children’s Hospital. They were married on June 1, 1968.

After the birth of her 3 children, the family moved to the United States in 1985, settling in Newtown. Margaret lived a life full of music, philanthropy, humor and compassion. She was known for being a naturally talented pianist, polyglot, seamstress, and cook. Over the last four decades in Connecticut, Margaret became a well-known fixture in the community and cultivated many close friendships within Newtown and the greater Danbury area. She donated hand-knit scarves and hats to community service groups for their fundraising events, and hosted fundraising dinners as auction prizes.

At home, Margaret was the backbone and engine who worked tirelessly to keep her three children on schedule and on task. She epitomized the meaning of sacrifice, always prioritizing the well-being of her family and others over herself, and did so with tremendous grace. Even in the last few weeks of life, in the midst of significant health challenges, Margaret would take every opportunity to kindly remind visitors and family members that they should go out and eat.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 55 years Jack, her son Christopher, her son Jay, daughter-in-law Cindy, grandchildren Christian and Gabriel, her son Derek, daughter-in-law Catherine, and grandchildren Ethan, Jeremy, and Hannah, her brothers, Wei Lien Chan, Peter Chan, Wai Sheng Chan, Henry Chan (and his wife Helen), her sister Maria Chan Ling (and her husband Victor), and her goddaughters Lorraine Wong (and her husband Douglas), and Cheryl Leung (and her husband Pier).

Margaret is also remembered and loved by friends and family on both coasts of the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

A Visitation will take place at Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, on Friday, November 10, with calling hours from 4 to 7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Road, on Saturday, November 11, at 10 am. The funeral will be livestreamed at strosechurch.com. To leave an online condolence visit honanfh.com.

Flowers may be delivered in her name to Honan Funeral Home for the Visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to a charity of your choice.

Margaret will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have known her, and her memory will live on in the hearts of those whom she touched.