Grace Shum Kai-Kam Chow (沈啟金) was born to her father (Shum Siu Sang 沈嘯上), who was from Shanghai (上海) and her mother (Wong Yuk Ying 王玉英), who was from the province of Yunnan (雲南). Grace was born on August 18, 1949 in Hong Kong
She had 4 siblings: Her eldest adopted brother Kai-Lam Shum (沈啟林), eldest sister Irene Leung (沈啟洪), her second elder sister Shirley Pang (沈啟鳳), and younger brother Kai-Ngan Shum (沈啟銀).
In 1953, her father took another wife, and subsequently, sent her mother, her siblings and Grace further away from Hong Kong to Shatin Tai Wai to a village called Heung Fan Niu. It was there that her mother raised her along with her siblings as a single mother. She grew up not knowing much of her father.
It was during these lonely and hard times that her mother heard the message of the gospel from a traveling missionary and became a Christian. This saving faith and knowledge of Christ was passed on to Grace and her siblings. It was from this point in her life that Grace devoted herself in learning about God and serving the Lord in whatever way she could.
Grace always had a special gift for music. She first learned the piano from her eldest sister. At the age of 19, she started private lessons with her sister’s piano teacher. At age 26, she learned singing from a famous opera singer 陳芝霞. She won singing awards and music competitions.
Grace had natural talent in nurturing young children. She had a special way of communicating with kids and was loved by many families of the students she taught. She first taught kindergarten at a local village. To further educate herself, she took evening courses to earn an education certificate. She taught primary school at Tsai Gung from 1966 until when she got married.
Grace met Benny Tak-Man Chow 周德敏 through the introduction of her second eldest sister. They got married on 8/14/1976 in Hong Kong. In 1977, they settled in Houston where had their first bornson, Clement. In 1979, they had their second son, Edwin.
In her years after having two sons, she melded her two gifts of music and childhood development in piano teaching. Her students received much more than just weekly piano lessons. They received training, molding, shaping in thought and heart that reflected her love for Christ.
Grace was known also for her wonderful cooking. Those who have had the chance to eat Grace’s meals can give testimony the one of kind joy of eating her food. Grace used her gift in cooking to also blessing others. If you were sick, she would bring special soup and food to you. She would tell you that this herb or this root will help you in this way or that.
Grace had a big heart who loved others generously and leaves behind a legacy of compassion that will never be forgotten.
She is survived by her eldest sister Irene, her husband Benny, her sons Clement and Edwin, her daughter-in-law Lilly, and her 4 grandchildren: Jocelyn, Evan, Clara, and Olivia, along with many nieces and nephews and an extended family that will miss her dearly.
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