In memory

In memory of Stella Chan (November 18, 1950- September 30, 1989.

Today I pause to remember Aunt Stella, my mom's younger sister, who passed away from ovarian cancer twenty years ago. She was a very thoughtful, righteous, forthright, well-educated and smart woman. She attended LaSalle Secondary School in Hong Kong. Shortly after graduation, Aunt Stella emigrated to the States with her mom (my grandma) and siblings (my uncle Eddie & aunt Elaine) in 1968 through my great-uncle who was a U.S. naval officer. My mom who was married in 1968, elected to emigrate at a later time since my father had to wrap up my grandfather's merchant business and his own medical practice. Ultimately, my Aunt Stella petitioned my mom for immigration to the States and we left Hong Kong in 1976. That is a brief history of my family's journey from Hong Kong to San Francisco.

Aunt Stella was our neighbor, who lived in the same block, only a few houses away. i I still remembered her beautiful Golden Retriever name 'Tim' and all the nice dinners and gatherings at her home. She spent a great deal of time with my brother and sisters, taking us shopping and getting involved with summer programs and community events when we were children. Her husband Uncle Henry taught at U.C. Berkeley, and they eventually settled in Lafayette, a very affluent suburb east of San Francisco. Aunt Stella was active in community work and had a circle of friends who were San Francisco community leaders. Her field of studies was social work and my sister Susan follows after her. Interestingly, there is a scholarship established in her name at my alma mater and current school: San Francisco State University Masters of Social Work Program. I recall the last time I saw her was at the hospital. I was 16 years old and I could see that she wasn't going to make it. I leaned over and gave her a kiss on her cheek. She looked at me with warm and glowing eyes. I have always taken a snapshot of her eyes in my mind. I wished she could be with us today. She will always be remembered for her emotional and physical strength and her dedication to excellence. Her memory and spirit lives on.