Thousands bid farewell to veteran actress Lydia Sum in Hong Kong

HONG KONG -- Thousands of people in Hong Kong bade farewell Sunday to late actress Lydia Sum, a popular comedian known for her iconic thick black-rimmed glasses and heavy build.

Sum, who was reportedly suffering from cancer and a bile duct condition, died on Feb. 19. She was reportedly 61.

The public memorial service for Sum drew many of her friends from Hong Kong's entertainment industry.

In an eulogy, Sum's daughter, Joyce Cheng, said her mother was a "shooting star" and that she was honored to have stood in her light.

Secretary for Home Affairs Tsang Tak-sing and Li Gang, deputy director at China's liaison office in Hong Kong, wrote in a commemorative album to pay tribute to the late entertainer.

"From the '60s until today, Sister Fei had accompanied Hong Kong people with her laughter," Tsang said, using Sum's Chinese nickname.

The Hong Kong ceremony also showed footage of Sum's earlier funeral in her adopted home of Vancouver, Canada, where she was buried last week.

Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan honored Sum by declaring her birthday, June 1, "Ms. Fei Fei Day."

Sum acted in more than 100 movies in Hong Kong and hosted more than 5,000 episodes of variety shows. Her credits include a starring role in the Singaporean English-language sit-com "Living with Lydia.

Sum is survived by her ex-husband, actor Adam Cheng, and their daughter Joyce.

(Agencies)