In memory of Katherine Kar Lum Fan

Will Fan is organizing this fundraiser.

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The Fan family invites you to celebrate the life and passing of our daughter and sister, Katherine Kar Lum Fan.

Kat was born on 16th January 1985, in the western suburbs of Sydney. She came from humble beginnings, always the brightest in the room, especially at large family gatherings. Kat took her big sister responsibility seriously, and kept her two little brothers safe and out of trouble.

She would proudly escort Will and Laurence on 60 minute train rides to school everyday all the way from Punchbowl to North Sydney. Chiko rolls and cans of coke were shared amongst the three.

Katherine was a lover of the Chinese arts: playing the guqin, CNY lego, traditional Chinese dance, but most importantly learning fluent Chinese from mando and cantopop songs. She was talented and a beautiful dancer, both on stage and as a choreographer.

To her closest friends, she was the one that brought a spark of optimism, humour, meaning, energy and fun to every occasion. She was down for anything, created a safe space for vulnerability and difficult issues and was there to celebrate every milestone, big or small.

In her career, Kat was a force of nature. She started with law, but her true strength was in uplifting people to pursue more with their careers with boundless optimism, and an eye for new opportunities. This took her from Sydney to Hong Kong, with some Shanghai and Singapore in between.

In more recent years, she slowed down, prioritising mental health in herself and her loved ones. She was intentional about her choices, never settled and sought out a meaningful life on her own terms.

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In May 2021, Kat was diagnosed with lymphoma in Hong Kong. She fought it bravely through Covid-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions, making sure colleagues, friends and family were never worried about her. She endured with great fortitude and independence: buying herself wigs online, checking herself into chemotherapy sessions, and even maintaining most of her work schedule.

Her lymphoma was aggressive. Two relapses later and after an extraordinary series of events, Kat was able to return from Hong Kong to Sydney. She spent her final few weeks catching up on quality Vietnamese food and people watching at Bondi beach. She was finally reunited with her family.

On 30 May 2022, Kat peacefully moved on with mum by her side. She passes the baton of her life mission of empowering others, to those who were lucky enough to cross her path.