Jinju Chen MD

Dr. Jinju Chen was born on August 21, 1934, to Mingjuan Liu and Dexun Chen. From the outset, her life was marked by adversity. Her father, Dexun, struggled with gambling addiction and had lost nearly everything the family owned before Dr. Chen was born. To support the family—which consisted of Dr. Chen, her older brother, and her father—her mother, Mingjuan, worked as a maid, ensuring they had just enough to get by. Despite these hardships, Jinju was determined to rise above her circumstances. She excelled in school, driven by an unwavering commitment to her education and her family's well-being.

After completing her initial studies, Jinju attended nursing school and began working as a nurse. It was during this period that she applied to medical school, balancing her professional responsibilities with her academic ambitions. Her perseverance paid off when she was admitted to medical school on a scholarship. However, her father, fearing that her stipend would be less than her previous salary as a nurse, attempted to hide her admission letter and physically prevent her from traveling to school. Undeterred, Jinju persisted and began her medical studies. Around this time, she married Qian Wu, a partnership that would shape both her personal and professional life.

Upon graduation, Dr. Chen was assigned to a small clinic on the outskirts of town rather than a large hospital. This decision was influenced by political circumstances: her husband, Qian Wu, was persecuted by the government and struggled to secure a regular job for many years. As a result, Dr. Chen became the primary breadwinner for her own family—which included her three children, Xuli, Zhenyu, and Wei—as well as her parents. Despite the heavy burden, she never complained. She was a woman of few words, steadfast in her responsibilities. Dr. Chen’s love for her mother, who had sacrificed so much, endured throughout her life. She also stood by her husband during his darkest moments, offering him strength and encouragement. Her children grew up infused with her values: a strong work ethic, a sense of responsibility, and a passion for learning.

When the Cultural Revolution ended, Dr. Chen’s perseverance bore fruit: all three of her children attended university, and, in time, the entire family migrated to the United States. Dr. Chen and her husband followed, supporting their children during their student life and challenging early years after graduation. They helped with housework and the upbringing of their grandchildren, enabling their children to focus on their careers and studies. Dr. Chen and Qian devoted countless hours to learning English. Their determination culminated in one of their proudest moments: they passed the civic exam and became American citizens. In their leisure, they found joy in gardening and growing vegetables, nurturing both their plants and their family.

In her later years, after Qian’s passing, Dr. Chen began to experience memory loss, which gradually worsened. She eventually moved to Colonia Oak Memory Care Facility, where she spent eight years before transferring to a skilled nursing home in January 2026. Dr. Jinju Chen passed away on February 21, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and love. She is survived by her daughter Xuli Wu, son Zhenyu Wu, daughter Wei Chan, their spouses Longguang Wu, Xiaohong Yan, and Steve Chan; grandchildren Sarah, Aaron, Kevin, Ebby, Alan, and Elena; and great-grandchildren Elise and Evan.

Dr. Chen’s story is a testament to quiet strength and unwavering devotion. One particular moment encapsulates her character: during her children’s formative years, she would rise before dawn to prepare breakfast and review their homework, ensuring they had every opportunity to succeed. Her legacy endures through the generations she nurtured, the values she instilled, and the lives she touched. She will be remembered with deep affection and gratitude.

A visitation will be held at Brookside Cypress Creek, located at 9149 Hwy 6 No, Houston, TX, on February 24, 2026, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.