Joyce Cheng, daughter of the late comedienne Lydia Shum, poses with a certificate presented by Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan in honor of Shum on February 26. (Photo: cnsphoto)

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan has declared June 1, 2008 a day to commemorate Hong Kong comedienne Lydia Shum.

Sullivan designated what would have been Shum's 63rd birthday "Ms. Fei-fei Day." He also presented an honorary certificate to Shum's daughter, Joyce Cheng.

Shum, whose influence spanned the world's Chinese-speaking communities, was affectionately called "Fei-fei" (Fatty) for her plump figure.

The actress and talk-show host was born on June 1, 1945, according to an obituary written by Hong Kong's TVB station, where Shum worked for decades, although there are two other versions of her birth date.

Shum reportedly immigrated to Vancouver in the 1980s. She died of liver cancer on February 19 in Hong Kong.

A private funeral will be held in Vancouver on Wednesday at 10 a.m., local time.

(CRIENGLISH.com February 28, 2008)