Frances Hsu Chen

Frances Hsu Chen, a radiant and elegant presence, left an indelible mark on the lives of those who knew her. Born in Shanghai, China, in the Year of the Rooster, she embodied the qualities of confidence, with a keen eye for detail and dedication to quality, evident in every aspect of her life.

Growing up in a family of six children, with four daughters and two sons, Frances was the second-born child of Eddie W.H. Hsu, a second-generation shipping tycoon, and Chin-Young Chao. Due to the chaos of the Second Sino-Japanese War (抗日戰爭 - Kàngrì Zhànzhēng) Frances's official birthdate remains a topic of debate, with her maternal grandmother's account placing her birth 13 days after the Mid-Autumn Festival (中秋節-Zhōngqiū jié) in 1945, on October 3rd, according to the lunar calendar, while her registered birthday is August 2nd. Frances loved celebrations, and this gave her an opportunity to celebrate two birthdays every year.

Frances's early life was shaped by the challenges of growing up during the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War (國共內戰, Guó gòng nèizhàn). Her family was deeply affected by the Great Retreat (大撤退 - Dà chètuì), when the Kuomintang (KMT) party (國民黨 – Guómíndǎng) retreated to Taiwan in 1949, and her father played a crucial role by transporting supplies to the island with his ships. While her father went ahead to Taiwan, her mother later fled with her eldest and youngest sisters, leaving Frances and her younger sister, the third child, behind in mainland China under the care of their maternal grandparents. This separation had a lasting impact on Frances's life. Growing up with her grandparents, Frances experienced the hardships of rationing, where she would selflessly give up her monthly 8-ounce meat allocation to the elderly men in the family, teaching her resilience from a young age. One tender childhood memory was her grandmother's promise of an egg from their old hen as a 10th birthday gift, which was taken away when her grandparents had an argument the night before her birthday.

In the summer of 1957, a precious opportunity reunited Frances and her sister with their family in Taiwan when the wife, Mrs. Yeh of her father's Hong Kong office manager skillfully leveraged her guanxi (關係), a valuable network of social connections with local officials, to navigate the complexities and bureaucracy of getting Frances and her sister from Shanghai to Hong Kong via Shenzhen and finally to Taiwan. Clutching a photo of her father, a tangible reminder of the father she hardly knew – having last seen him at just four years old – Frances eventually warmed up to her father and rebuilt relationships with her mother and sisters, while also meeting her two brothers, who were born after the family was separated.

Frances's determination and resilience were evident in her education. Due to the lack of documentation proving her existence, resulting from her parents' fleeing to Taiwan during the war, Frances wasn't allowed to attend formal elementary school in China; instead, she had to attend elementary night school. However, after reuniting with her family in Taiwan, she attended Jianguo Middle School Branch School (建國中學分校 - Jiànguó zhōngxué fēnxiào) before being accepted into Taipei Municipal Zhong Shan Girls High School (臺北市立中山女子高級中學 - Táiběi shìlì zhōngshān nǚzǐ gāojí zhōngxué), a reputable institution with a competitive acceptance rate.

As a teenager, Frances was quite athletic and competitive, with a passion for sports. She was once dared to reach a record-breaking height in Chinese Jump Rope (跳皮筋 - tiàopíjīn), which unfortunately resulted in a broken leg. This injury required an expert operation available only in Boston, Massachusetts, at the time. This medical necessity, combined with her interest in languages, took her to the United States, where she had a unique opportunity to sail on one of her father's ships and experience the Panama Canal firsthand during her journey. She attended Hewlett School, a girls' private boarding school in East Islip, Long Island, New York.

Frances excelled in her French class, impressing her teacher with her exceptional language skills. Her French teacher often asked her to lead the reading and conversation for the whole class, showcasing her proficiency and confidence in the language. Frances later attended Schreiber High School before graduating in 1964 and went on to attend Pace University, majoring in accounting, where her father bought her a brand-new banana yellow colored Opel Kadett station wagon to commute to school. Although the car was a head-turner and everyone loved it, it had stalling issues almost from day one, which persisted despite repeated trips back to the dealer. Before marriage, Frances and her family lived in Port Washington on Long Island from 1964 to 1966, then in Scarsdale in Westchester County, New York, from 1966 to 1968, and settled in Katonah in Westchester County, New York in 1968.

After graduating from Pace, Frances moved to California and began her professional journey with a role at Sumitomo Bank in San Jose, California. She later returned to Taipei, Taiwan, and had a position as an English translator at the National Palace Museum (國立故宮博物院 - Guólì gùgōng bówùyuàn) in Taiwan, where she had the opportunity to meet notable figures, including Senator John Glenn, the first astronaut to orbit the Earth.

In the early 1970s, Frances's life took a dramatic turn. At an ornate party at her parents' place in Taiwan, around 1972-1973, her elegance, poise, and beauty captivated everyone she met and especially caught her future husband Jerry's attention when he first saw her. They didn't meet in person until an organized excursion, where Jerry charmingly greeted her with "comment allez-vous?" after learning of her love for the French language, sparking a lifelong romance. Their romance blossomed, and in 1975, they exchanged vows at the luxurious Ambassador Hotel Taipei (國賓大飯店 - Guóbīn Dà Fàndiàn) in a beautiful wedding, culminating in 50 incredible years of marriage celebrated with a golden anniversary on March 8th, 2025.

The following year, Frances and Jerry immigrated to the United States, built a life together in the Bay Area, and raised three children: Grace, Irene, and Austin. Drawing inspiration from her father's entrepreneurial spirit, Frances fueled her passion for business and investment, pursuing various ventures, including import/export and real estate.

In 1984, Frances took on a new challenge, assisting her father with his shipping company, which led to her return to Taiwan – a move that soon became a family affair when her husband and children joined her a few months later, as her father's company needed more long-term help. They spent nearly two decades in Taiwan before returning to the United States. Once her children were grown, Frances continued to nurture her passion for real estate investments and later explored Airbnb and other investment opportunities that kept her days busy and challenging – a lifestyle she thoroughly enjoyed and encouraged her children to explore.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Frances found joy in simple pleasures. She loved bright colors, especially when it came to her wardrobe, and planting flowers and tending to her garden. She adored her grandfur-dogs, particularly a black Labrottie (Labrador and Rottweiler mix) named Gus, with whom she shared an unbreakable bond. Together, they'd spend hours strolling to the park, munching on snacks while watching kids play sports from the bleachers. Frances even invented a special game just for her Gus Gus that they both loved playing together. Though her heart was heavy when Gus passed away in 2021, it filled up with joy again a month later when her precious grandson Edwin arrived. Frances' face would light up at the thought of Edwin, and she'd FaceTime him daily whenever possible. Frances loved watching and talking with him, forming a deep connection that transcended words. One of the sweetest moments they shared was Edwin's first smile, which he shared with Frances, melting her heart even more. Even now, Edwin would ask to FaceTime his Nana when memories of her come back, a testament to the special bond they shared.

Frances was the kind of person who effortlessly made friends everywhere she went, including her kids' friends. She had a hidden talent for humor that would catch people off guard, leaving everyone lost in laughter, and was also amazing at laughing at herself, often without even realizing she was the one being funny. Frances shared a passion for watching sports with her husband Jerry, and while they may have had different team loyalties, Frances's dedication to the Raiders was particularly notable - as an Asian mom, she defied expectations with her die-hard fandom, rarely missing a game and sporting her team with pride.

At the core of Frances's life was her devotion to her family. She selflessly put her children first, dedicating herself to their well-being, happiness, and success, and cherished any gatherings with them, creating lifelong memories. Her love extended to her son-in-laws, for whom she would lovingly cook her famous dishes, despite not being a big fan of cooking. She also cherished her relationships with her siblings, nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews, always making time for family gatherings and celebrations. Her love and devotion to her family knew no bounds, and her grandchildren, both human and furry, were especially dear to her. Her family will forever cherish the time they had with her.

As Frances's life came full circle, her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, the memories she created, and the love she shared. Her family, friends, and even the furry companions will forever cherish the time they had with her. Frances's passing leaves a void that can never be filled, but her spirit, love, and laughter will continue to inspire and warm the hearts of all who knew her.

"To our beloved Wife, Mom, GrandFurMa, and Nana, your love, guidance, and unwavering support shaped us into the people we are today. We will carry your legacy forward, spreading love, kindness, and joy. We love you forever and always." - The Hsu Chen Family