Connie Lai-Sheung Chan

Connie Lai-Sheung Chan, 74, of Groveport, Ohio passed away peacefully at home on April 6th, 2023. Connie was born on July 2nd, 1948 to Shing Hon Ying and Wong Choi Ghin (Margaret Lough) in Hong Kong. Along with her husband Jackson, she immigrated to the United States in the Spring of 1974 with the hopes of chasing the American Dream, creating a better life for her children.

After establishing their base in Columbus, OH, they began a long journey of entrepreneurship starting with the purchase of the China Royal Chinese restaurant in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. She made fast friends with all the regular customers and always greeted guests with her infectious smile and laughter. Upon exiting the Food and Hospitality business, she entered the retail world as the proprietor and founder of Connie’s Gifts. That business started out of her home in Greenbriar Farm and then expanded to various locations across Central Ohio (including River Valley Mall, Upper Valley Mall and Northland Mall) before her retirement in the early 2000s. Despite leaving the restaurant business, food was a common expression of her love throughout her life. She was known for gifting friends, family, healthcare providers and neighbors her amazing fried rice and dumplings. Ultimately her greatest joy was her time with family that started with her loving husband and grew over almost 6 decades to include 4 children and 5 grandchildren.

Connie was preceded by death by her father Shing Hon Ying and mother Wong Choi Ghin (Margaret Lough). She is survived by her husband Jackson Yuk Chan, Children Irene Barnett (James), Pauline Chan-Yount (John), Dorene Moore (Darin), Jason Chan (Beth), Grand-Daughters Savannah Barnett, Sierra Jackson (Ben), Carey and Katie Moore, Colette “Coco” Mae-Yi Chan. Her Siblings Shing Lai Tong, Shing Chung Yin, Shing Lai Chun, Shing Lai Yung, Shing Lai Yee and James Lough.

The family requests for colorful flowers to be sent to Madison Christian Church, 3565 Bixby Rd, 43125 or in lieu of flowers, please donate via these links to The National Kidney Foundation or The American Heart Association. 

Visitation Hours will be held at Madison Christian Church located at 3565 Bixby Rd., Groveport OH 43125 on Friday, April 14th, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A Celebration of Life will commence from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Refreshments will be made available for those that want to continue to visit with the Chan Family after the conclusion of services. A private interment will be held in Barnett Chapel Community Cemetery, Liberty West Virginia with immediate family.