Jai, Beatrice Yew Wah

• 廖瑤華

• 謝廖瑤華

• Lew, Yew Wah

• Bea

Beatrice Jai was born LEW Yew Wah on January 30, 1928 in Vancouver, BC, to mother, Lily Hong Far WONG 黃杏花 (1893-1990) and father, LEW Bak-Ho 廖崇岳 (1880-1960), who had arrived in Canada as a farmer from Sunwui county in China’s Guangdong province. There were eight children in the family (Chew, Chuck, Henry, Arthur, Pat, Florence, Beatrice and Betty); Beatrice was second youngest.

The Lew family was a Cantonese opera family, participating in the various music clubs in Vancouver’s Chinatown, in particular, with the Ching Won Music Society. From a young age, the children performed on stage and learned music. The youngest, Beatrice and Betty, performed together, specializing in acrobatics and singing. Beatrice’s beauty, confidence and charm distinguished her among other performers, and the local mainstream media lauded her as the Chinese Shirley Temple. At Ching Won Music Society, she received tutelage from music teacher, Raymond Jai, who would be her future husband.

Beatrice obtained an education at the Vancouver Chinese Public School and at the local middle school for girls, thereafter, completing high school before moving to Toronto in 1950 to pursue better opportunities with her sister, Florence. Raymond followed suit and the couple wed the following year. They settled in the Rosedale neighbourhood, purchasing a home to raise their daughter, Julie, whom they adopted in 1961. Beatrice first worked close to home at a fruit and vegetable store, then as an educational assistant at Church Street and Lord Landsdowne Public Schools supporting the kindergarten curriculum.

In Toronto, Beatrice and Raymond were active in the Cantonese opera scene, becoming founding members of the Yet Hoy Cantonese Music Club when it was established in 1963 on Dundas Street West in the city’s changing Chinatown. Beatrice often played the lead female role in Yet Hoy productions, donning full make-up and traditional costume. She starred in the club’s 1965 production of 《仙女牧羊》 which included Julie in a child role, and in the 1970 production of 《胡不歸》. In non-acting productions, she would play the 揚琴 (yangqin) or sing.

Beatrice had grown up on Canada’s west coast where racism against Chinese people was most acute, and it had a deep and lasting impact on her. Performing on stage and in front of audiences gave her self-esteem and a sense of self-worth.

Beatrice died in Toronto on August 24, 2017.

Created by June Chow in February 2026.