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Chou Family 周家族

The Eulogy for Rui-hong
written by Fu-chuan

translated by Amy Shih (8)

Epitaph on gravestone at the Chinese Christian Churches Cemetery
in Pokfulam, Hong Kong

Originating from the Fong Ren District of Beijing in 1884, Liu Rui Hong committed her spirit to the Christian faith during her youth. Her academic journey flourished within the American Methodist Episcopal Mission schools, culminating in her graduation at age twenty-three from the Mary Porter Gamewell School, which had remained a beacon for female scholarship in Beijing since 1872.


We were united in marriage when she reached twenty-four, embarking on a forty-eight-year journey of shared devotion. Our union was graced by the arrival of our son, Harold, and our seven daughters: Ruth, Louise, Hazel, Elizabeth, Josephine, Pauline, and Alice.


She functioned as the cornerstone of our household, managing every detail with industrious poise and gentle wisdom while extending genuine compassion and honor to all she met. Her steadfast character served as the foundation for our children's development. We had long hoped to witness a hundred years of life side by side.


On the afternoon of Easter Sunday, April 10, 1955, she experienced an unexpected physical collapse and was admitted to Hong Kong Tung Wah Hospital. Despite the intensive medical interventions to address a cerebral hemorrhage, she departed this world serenely at 9 am the next day at seventy-three years of age, creating a profound void within my heart.


In our quiet moments together, she shared her desire to precede me in death, confident that I would find the strength to oversee her final arrangements. She likewise sought the blessing of a peaceful transition—a plea the Lord answered through His divine benevolence. Praise be to God.


I have prepared my own final resting place adjacent to hers. When the Lord eventually calls for me, we will be joined once again in an enduring spiritual union, staying forever near our kin in Hong Kong who gather here to cherish her legacy.

Memories of Rui-hong

Florence (16) - Lau Lau never did any housework.  She loved to accompany herself on the piano while singing hymns.

Amy (81) - I sure miss attending funeral that day.  Was not feeling 100% and had to stay home.  I love 姥姥 Lau Lau so much.  I used to bath her and clean her toe nails when she was living at Kennedy Terrace.

        On the family get-together occasions at 126 Kennedy Terrace, I used to help 姥姥 to get ready.  I was very fond of her but can't recall her ever speaking in English, of course I was young then and studying in a Chinese primary school in Stanley.  Se was a soft spoken and always with a gentle smile on her face.  Never out of place, adored by everyone in the family

        She was always dressed in a 旗袍 qipao, never saw her in a western dress.  Hair always combed back with a bun at the back.  My mother Alice in the video at 姥姥's funeral, she being the youngest daughter, was the one who cried the most.  Of course she was carrying Victoria in her womb who was born on the 24 of April, less than 2 weeks after the funeral.

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