Lean (Janet) Hong Cheah, of Northborough, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2022, at age 81. She was predeceased by her parents, husband, and three sisters (Lean Im Cheah, Lean Seok Cheah and Lean Kim Cheah). Born on August 15, 1940 in Penang, Malaysia, she married Khye Seng Gan and became the mother of Poh Poh Gan and Chin Chin Gan. She is survived by her daughters, one sister (Lean See Cheah), one brother (Ceong Pin Cheah) and her three grandchildren (Jennifer Lee, Andrew Lee, and Katherine Gan).
Before immigrating to the United States in 2004, Lean served her community as a schoolteacher. She taught mathematics, English, and history, but loved math the most. With her keen mind and kind, playful spirit, Lean helped shape the hearts and minds of hundreds of children. In retirement, Lean continued her love of teaching by raising and educating her grandchildren, for whom she was always their strongest ally and advocate.
Lean enjoyed many things in life. She loved to travel and try food from around the world; her favorites included satay, durian, and chili. She also loved to play games, including netball and Mahjong. (Even in her old age, she would crush all of us in Mahjong.) She attended mass at St. Bernadette Parish and exercised at the YMCA.
Lean was one of the sweetest and most playful people you would ever meet, and she will be deeply missed by all that had the privilege to know her.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Bernadette Parish (266 Main St., Northborough, MA 01532) on Wednesday, June 22, 2022 at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, her family would like to honor her caring spirit by encouraging those who can to donate to the Boston Children’s Hospital Trust to support children in need.