Hsiu-Hua Cheng Chen

鄭秀華女士

1927.1.27- 2024.9.14

Mrs. Hsiu-Hua Cheng Chen was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She treated everyone with genuine kindness and generosity. Her gentle and optimistic spirit had a lasting impact on her loved ones. Throughout her life, she navigated many hardships and challenges, yet chose to embrace life with resilience and a heart full of gratitude.

Born Hsiu-Wen Deng in Wuchang, Hebei, Mrs. Hsiu-Hua Cheng Chen was the daughter of Ji-Cheng Deng. She had an older brother, an older sister, and a younger sister. Amid the turmoil of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, she was separated from her family at just ten years old. Mr. Huan-Chiong Cheng, and Mrs. Ai-De Deng (her fourth aunt) kindly took her in, named her Hsiu-Hua Cheng, and treated her as their own. She became the eldest among ten siblings who grew up happily together, a cherished new family she deeply appreciated throughout her life.

In 1950, during the Nationalist Government's relocation to Taiwan, Mrs. Hsiu-Hua Cheng's father crossed the sea to Taiwan with the eldest three children, intending to reunite the entire family in the future. Sadly, due to the political climate, the temporary separation stretched over 37 years. Initially settling in Tainan, she worked at a water treatment plant, caring for her father and supporting her younger siblings.  In 1958, she married Mr. Chu-Lien Chen, who was serving in the Republic of China Air Force. Following her husband's assignments, they lived in Taipei, Fengshan, Keelung, and Yonghe, and raised three daughters: Ling Chen, Chin Chen, and Yuan Chen. In addition to managing the household and caring for her elderly father, she created a joyful life for her family with her love, wisdom, and artistry. Despite the limited resources they had at that time, she designed and created hand-sewn dresses for her children and delicious meals for her family. She not only prioritized her children's education but also imparted the importance of kindness, grace, and love. She instilled values of honesty and diligence in her children while teaching them to appreciate life's simple joys. She had a deep love for children, especially babies, and once her own children were grown, she extended her nurturing love and care to the next generation: her grandchildren, extended family, and neighbors' babies, raising a total of sixteen children, a role she cherished throughout her life. These children, adults today, influenced by her kindness, not only remember her fondly but also embody and reflect her exemplary character.

In 1995, she and her husband immigrated to the United States and started their lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, where her eldest daughter's family and many of her extended family live. She delighted in having a cherished role in her grandchildren's growth; story-telling, puzzling, and playing ping pong with them were all her precious memories. She also made new friends in her Senior Apartment complex, learned to function without knowing much English, ride the local buses, sing, dance, and even dabble in calligraphy and painting. Her life was rich and happy, busy yet fulfilling. At the San Jose Chinese Catholic Mission, she found solace and community, warmly received by her church family, she embraced her faith wholeheartedly. Once again, with optimism and positivity, she created a new chapter of life in a new land, inspiring those around her to embrace life with love and enthusiasm. In 2011, after fifty years of marriage, her husband peacefully passed away. In her twilight years, she refocused her mission of caring for others to embracing her newfound independence with strength and grace. She cherished the companionship of family and friends, as well as moments of quiet solitude. She lived each day with grace and, content to share her thoughtfulness and care with friends, family, and people she just met.

She touched people's lives in unexpected ways.  Throughout her life, she faced serious illnesses several times with great courage. In 2004, a mysterious illness drained her vitality. Failed by countless Western medical treatments, her science-minded eldest daughter began pursuing complementary medicine and eventually found a solution that restored her health and happiness after three months. This experience sparked her daughter's passion in natural healing methods, and renewed purpose in life.  During her sickness, her caring second daughter frequently flew in from Taiwan to provide comfort, company, and support, bringing joy and warmth, which accelerated the healing. In 2018, she suffered a severe spinal fracture but determined to maintain her independence, she diligently followed medical and natural treatments. Remarkably, she went from being bedridden to walking again at her advanced age, astounding even healthcare professionals.  In 2020, a severe stroke severely tested her strength, faith, and ability to survive against incredible odds, but her deep love for her family brought her back from a five-day coma, allowing her to spend another four years with them. Even during the days preceding her final journey, she graciously offered her loved ones time and moments of meaningful connection., It was as though she was consoling them with her abiding presence before peacefully completing a lifetime of exceptional kindness and good deeds with her loving family surrounding her.

She lived a kind and virtuous life, unwavering in her selflessness and radiating the traditional virtues of Chinese womanhood with her loving spirit. She will be terribly missed but kindly remembered by all who had the blessed fortune to know and love her.

鄭秀華女士

1927.1.27- 2024.9.14

鄭秀華女士是一位充滿愛心的人。她總是真心待人,樂於付出,不求回報。她全心全意地照顧家人,甘之如飴,無怨無悔。她的溫柔善良與樂觀影響了每一位和他相處的人。她一生經過顛沛流離的艱辛,嘗過悲歡離合的苦難,但她始終以堅忍的精神和感恩之心面對人生。

鄭秀華女士出生于河北武昌,原名鄧秀雯。父親鄧積成。家有哥哥姐姐與小妹。在抗日戰爭的戰亂中,家人失散,骨肉分離。 年僅十歲的她有幸融入新家庭。鄭家爸爸鄭寰雄,媽媽鄧愛德(她的四姑母)為她取名鄭秀華,對她視如己出,她成了老大,十個孩子一起長大,非常快樂,成為她一生感恩珍惜的家人。

1950年,國民政府遷台,她的爸爸帶著最大的三個子女渡海來台,計劃安排好再將全家老少接過來。不料從此兩岸相隔。初期客居台南,她在自來水廠工作,照顧父親,扶持弟妹。 1958年與陳祖烈先生結婚。成為空軍軍眷。隨著先生的工作,他們輾轉居住於台北、鳳山、基隆和永和等地,育有三個女兒陳玲, 陳琴,陳瑗。婚後相夫教子並照顧年邁的父親。在有限的物質條件下,她用愛心、聰敏與手藝,為家人打造了快樂精彩的生活。她親手為孩子設計製作裙子套裝。隨時待命為好客的父親和先生準備美味佳餚。她不只注重孩子的教育,更以身作則,以善良優雅與愛心待人處事。她教導孩子們誠實努力,也學會欣賞生活裡細微的美好。在子女長大後,她更將這份愛給了外孫,姪孫,和許多有緣的小寶寶。她一共帶大了十六個孩子,這是她熱愛的人生使命。這些孩子們在她的影響下成長,不僅懷念她的慈愛,也延續著她優秀的品格。

1995 年, 夫妻二人移民美國,開始在加州舊金山灣區的生活。這裡有大女兒夫妻,大弟大妹及其子孫,都是她心愛的親人。她一邊愛心陪伴外孫和外孫女快樂成長,說故事,玩遊戲,拼圖,打乒乓球;一邊在老人公寓交了許多新朋友,學坐公車,唱歌跳舞,學書法畫畫。簡單幾句英文也能與人互動。 生活幸福滿滿,日子安排的緊湊又有趣。每年多次家族聚會,她的開朗笑容與拿手菜絕不缺席。她在這裡也找到了新的信仰,加入了聖荷西華人天主堂的大家庭,認真做禮拜念經,深深感受到主內兄弟姐妹們的關懷。又一次,她在陌生的領土上用樂觀積極的態度開啟了人生新的篇章,也啟發身邊的人熱愛生活。2011年, 相伴五十年的老伴安詳的在高齡回到天國, 她完美完成了人生中"照顧他人"的工作。她堅強的在獨立生活中找到新的自己。在古稀之年,她熱愛與親人朋友相處,也有安靜獨處的智慧。她知足感恩, 體貼關懷周圍的人。她的愛純淨,沒有壓力,不求回報。

在一生中,她經歷了多次嚴重病痛。2004年的神秘疾病,完全消磨了她的生命力,遍尋西醫無解,學科學的大女兒為了幫助她而開始研習自然療法。全力配合自然療法三個月後,她找回了健康與笑容。這也成為大女兒研究推廣自然療法的契機。貼心的二女兒時常噓寒問暖,從台灣飛來陪伴,更是一帖喜樂的良藥。2018年腰椎塌陷性骨折。她不願意成為別人的負擔,努力配合醫療與自然療法的幫助。從臥床到可以起身行走,以她的高齡,連醫護人員都覺得不可思議。2020年重度中風,她堅強的生命力,對親人的不捨,將她從昏迷五天,逐漸拉回人間,又陪伴了親人四年。即使在人生最後的路程,她也貼心的給親友時間與機會,安詳自然的圓滿了一世的善緣。

她一生溫良賢淑,堅忍無私。以愛的光輝展現了中國女性的傳統美德。