Linda Lew

Linda Lee Lew was born in the Toishan region, Guangdong Province, China, on March 23, 1929. She survived the Japanese invasion of her village in World War II. At the age of 16, she met and married Shuey Lew, the love of her life, and came to America as a war bride. They settled down in San Francisco. She initially worked as a seamstress while he worked as an aircraft mechanic. Together, they scrimped and saved over the years to support their growing family. She learned how to speak English and became business-savvy, launching several successful clothing businesses which included bridal wear and contemporary fashion for women, and invested in real estate. She handled raising nine daughters with aplomb, without access to parenting reference materials, and received a “Mother of the Year” award. Through hard work, they were able to put each of their daughters through college.

Ever the “Queen of Fun”, she loved throwing parties and thoroughly enjoyed hosting grand weddings for each of her daughters. In retirement, she took ballroom dance lessons, played mah jong, and enjoyed traveling all over the world. But her all-time favorite pastime was playing the slot machines at Harrah’s in Reno, Nevada. In one of her final trips to Reno, she won a stunning total of 7 jackpots in less than 48 hours.

She was intelligent, gregarious, generous, kind, fun-loving, and always loved a good laugh. She expressed her affection for others through food. Anyone who shared a meal with her never walked away hungry because she always ordered the best items on the menu and made sure your plate was never empty. She was a philanthropist for numerous charities and causes, locally and overseas, and even received the “Donation Queen” award.

As a mother, she passed on important family values and traditions to her daughters, teaching them by example. She modeled female empowerment and an excellent work ethic. She emphasized the importance of hard work, perseverance, and making good choices.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Shuey Lew. She leaves behind a magnificent legacy, and is greatly missed by her surviving daughters Irene, Dorothy, Madeline, Bernice, Helen, Janet, Mabel, Frances, and Katherine, sons-in-law, 20 grandchildren, and 13 great grandchildren.

Linda Lee Lew passed away peacefully at home on October 9, 2024, at the Chinese age of 96. She lived a remarkable life as a trailblazer, a devoted wife and mother, and as a woman ahead of her time.