Dear Mom,

I may not have told you often enough how much I appreciated that you cooked for me every Saturday. You always gave my sisters and me the best parts to eat and ate the bad parts yourself. I miss the soups you used to make.

I remember once when I was young and had a high fever that you carried me on your back to take me to see the doctor. You always made Chinese medicine to help me get better. You always told me how hard you worked to take care of me. Years later, I was lucky that you cared for Kevin and Stacy so I could work. Whenever I had problems, regardless of the issue, you gave me advice and showed me the correct thing to do. I always felt better after talking to you.

Our weekly lunches were one of the highlights of my week. When you fell ill, you told me how you wanted to eat but couldnt. It pained me so much to hear that. Now that you are gone, I think every day about how Ill never be able to eat lunch with you again.

I am thankful for everything youve done for me. You will always be in our hearts. I love you and miss you. You were the best mom in the world. May God grant you peace in the afterlife.

Love,
Your Daughter Anita

I will never forget the fond memories of Mrs. Wu, even I had only met her once. She amazed me with her generosity, funny personality, and happy attitude towards life. It still felt like yesterday that she was talking to me in Cantonese as I understood her. She is a real-world mother figure that not only gave love to her children and grandchildren, but also to me. Her spirit is always around us! 

Pau pau was a kind and happy person. Every time we saw her, she had the most beautiful smile on her face. The zongzi (sweet rice wrap) she made was the best we ever had. She will be greatly missed.

I remember Pau Pau as an energetic grandma, who was always happy whenever my family visited. She would always have warm soup and food for us when we stayed over. I remember relaxing on the couch next to her, holding her hand, and watching Chinese dramas with her. Even though I don't understand much Cantonese, I could always tell she enjoyed spending time with me and really loved me. She gave me good advice like reminding me to study hard and obeying my parents, which I appreciated even though I needed a translator, my mommy, to explain it. She was so loving and caring. She was very generous and always wanted to give. Every year for Chinese New Year and birthdays, she would always give lai see (red envelopes). She was a super hard worker who would always make sure her garden was properly maintained. I will miss her and her kisses a lot.


A sad day for the world as this wonderful woman has pasted away but her legacy continues through her children and grandchildren and great grand children.  Her daughter Grace will continue to spread love , joy , and kindness to the world. 

I’m so grateful to have met and known Mrs. Wu during the many trips she made to see Connie my friend.  I was there many times when she was visiting.  I did not speak her language but it was never a barrier because her smile and gestures communicated everything.  I was so touched by her love for her family.  She loved them so well and expressed that by always being at all the events that were important to her grandchildren.  May you Rest In Peace beautiful lady.♥️

Back when we were younger, Pau Pau came to visit. While she was visiting, one afternoon, we saw her go outside with a plastic bag, and were curious as to what she was going use it for. We peeked out the back door, and with movements we didn’t know she was capable of, she quickly captured a pigeon. Curiosity sated, we saw Pau Pau walk back in, pigeon in tow, and promptly paid it no more heed, and went back to what we were doing. 

At least until we found out what we were having for dinner. There, sitting on a plate, was the pigeon, with its severed head and round, dark, beady eyes staring back at us. Pau Pau urged us to eat the food that she had made, and kept offering the pigeon head to us, because it was the “best part”. We declined. 

As we were eating the rest of the pigeon, our dad walked in, noticed what we were eating, and freaked out, due to the possibility of the meat being unclean. All in all, it ended up being a very lively dinner.

Whenever we think about Pau Pau, we’ll always remember how she was surprisingly quick, always tried to make sure that we were taken care of, and tried to give us the very best parts of life. She never failed to support us during big events in our life like our graduations, and also in the small moments of normal days. We are proud to call you our Pau Pau, and will miss you greatly.

Love,

Byron and Aaron

P.S. The meat was a little tough, but surprisingly good. 

Byron: Pau Pau was a very important person to me. She always did her best to take care of us and always remembered what we did or didn't like. There are a lot of silly memories I have of her, from the time she couldn't stop laughing over how hairy my legs were, or how she mistook me for a girl during the time I had long hair. There were the serious times we had too, like when she'd tell me that I had to do things so that I could eventually take care of my parents. I'm definitely going to miss her a lot and I hope she's doing okay, wherever she is. 

We have a fond memory that we spent time together shortly a year ago travelling around Toronto with you and your family.  We miss the sweet melons that you used to send us as a gift frequently from the good old days.  We still remembered your sense of humor, your positive thinking towards life and your love to your children.  

 We all miss you.

Joseph and the family

Mom, I love you and am saddened that you're not here with us anymore.I know that you weren't young, but you are my mother. I didn't ever want you to go.I am so glad that God sent you to be my mother. Even though we didn't always see eye to eye, we definitely knew we love each other. Thank you for always standing by my side when I made the choices no one understood, and thank you for teaching me to be a generous, honest, and kind person. Mom,I will miss going hiking, bowling,to the movies, traveling to different places, and most of all I am going to miss taking you to different places to eat. God made you to be my mother, I know we will meet each other again. I want you to be my Mom again. so I can say I love you and kiss you again. Love from your daughter Grace

Pau Pau, 

You were the best Pau Pau ever. I can't really fanthom that you are gone since I last saw you in December. You've always been so strong and I hope that I can be as strong as you always. I remember you walking to the grocery store with the shopping cart every weekend to bring home groceries. Your love for all of us has been everlasting and I know that you are with Gung Gung, my mama, Shirley and Deven. Thank you for being who you were.

I am now an orphan.  I had never encountered the concept of "orphanhood" beyond the age of majority (i.e.,18 in U.S.) but I caught a passing reference in something I read recently although I can't remember the context.  Blame that on early onset Alzheimer's! Or is it genetics?  Our whole family always teased you about your forgetfulness and I am afraid I probably inherited a touch of that.  To be fair though, you had the memory of an elephant when it came to what felt important to you, including your children's and grandchildren's favorite foods and finding/remembering great bargains (so you can feed everyone).

I admit I did not always understand or fully appreciate your focus on food.  It was one of the many ways that we differed.  Intellectually, I realized that the food equals love mentality was a by-product of your traditional Chinese upbringing and the atrocities of a Japanese-occupied China followed by political upheavals of the post World War II era.  Ultimately, my heart felt the love.

Growing up in the land of plenty and the home of opportunities, it was easy to dismiss your focus on family and food as provincially narrow, particularly in view of your few years of formal schooling.  As a beneficiary of an Ivy League education and a recipient of a terminal degree (okay - just a J.D. rather than a Ph.D. so no "Dr." honorific for me) but only a shaky command of colloquial Chinese, the barriers to meaningful conversations at times felt immense.  It was only when I reached back to the distant past or focused on our future that the conversations flowed.  We had engaging discussions about some of my ancestors, including your father's immigration to France and provision of Chinese herbal medicine to fellow immigrants.   And of course, as any proud grandmother, you were always game to talk about the children.

However, you were all about doing rather than talking.  Every single one of your grandchildren have benefitted from your care, whether they remember it or not.  You were always ready to pitch in to help your children with them in their time of need.  Thank you for spending so much time 2000 miles from home when Connor was undergoing treatment and recovery for cancer.  Recently a patch of photos (portraits of you cooking and napping) resurfaced - they were taken from an odd angle (very low perspective) on an old DSI. They brought back fond memories for the twins, who, as it turned out, finally managed to surpass the boundary between midget and ordinary height.

We have come full circle. While I have never overtly value food, it appears that my children beg to differ. You will appreciate the irony that they do, if not equate, at least connect food with love.  Their faces brighten and their beady little eyes perked up in anticipation whenever I cook something yummy - keep in mind that I do not enjoy cooking.  Beyond showing love through food, your more valuable lessons were unconditional love and putting your children before yourself.  I cannot speak for my siblings but for me as the youngest, I have always felt love from you without the demand for something in return.  This has shaped me to naturally make sacrifices, big and small, for my children without wanting anything from them in return, now or in the future.  Sadly, many parents expect their children to give to them, if not now, then in the future.  For my children, in this sense, you have bestowed a significant legacy.

Mom, It has been a very short, busy and unforgettable 2 months, I wish you can stay longer. You always showed your love by cooking us good food, I'm glad I've been able to return your love, especially during the past 2 months. 

We had lots of memorable memories, they will brighten up my life.  I'll always remember those times we spent together.

You knew I've never said love you, but I've been shown my deep love by action.
Love, 
Donna

Pau Pau, I remember the long walks we would go on with Gung Gung when I was little. You both taught me so much. I always admired how you came from a different country to live here. It must have been so hard to leave your family and friends. I remember your laugh and how you embraced life. I will miss you endlessly. I love you very much.

Mom, Miss You So Much! Will miss our Sunday phone call. Never forget your love to all of us. I remember when we were young, You always made sure we had plenty of foods for all the festival celebrations.I wish I can remember some of your delicious recipes. Hope you and Pa Pa unite in Heaven & be happy.
Love you always.
Your Oldest

Missing you very much.  I am grateful for all of the love you showed the children and I every time you saw us.  You always tried to give us food to eat and talk to us.  I admit we didn't always understand all of the words you were saying to us, but we always knew you loved us.
I will cherish the memories of the time spent together and the trips we made with family.  
Love your son-in law,

Carl

OBITUARY

Shui Fong Wu

10 March, 1930 – 23 February, 2018

Greenwood Memory Lawn Mortuary & Cemetery

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services