Lili Huang

Lili Huang (黄丽丽), 86, of Phoenix, AZ, a warm loving daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother who devoted her entire life looking after her family, friends and coworkers, quietly took her last breath this July 5th morning after a long and valiant battle with declining health. Her departure was just in time to reunite with Cuichang, the love of her life, who preceded her for celestial happiness only by a glimpse of 35 days. On August 18, 1934, the City of Wuxi, Jiangsu Province of China welcomed Lili, the second-born among her siblings. Born in an upper middle-class family, Lili’s early childhood was comfortable. Her name, Lili, originated from the lily tree (Yulan magnolia) that she enjoyed watching during her childhood visits to her ancestors’ courtyards in suburban Wuxi. However, fate had other plans for her. She first lost her mother to kidney disease and a few years after that, her father unexpectedly passed away, leaving her an orphan when she was only 14. The tragedy would change her life circumstances, but not her tenacity. Lili quickly assumed responsibility as the sole breadwinner to support her three younger siblings, all the while continuing high school education. In July 1952, she graduated from the Shanghai Mingde Girl High School. Five years later, Lili and Cuichang tied the knot in Shanghai, a city full of life. Soon after that, Lili relocated to Beijing where Cuichang lived and worked, leaving behind her comfy living just to be with her husband. In their leisure time, Lili and Cuichang loved ballroom dancing, with their favorite piece being Skater’s Waltz by French composer Émile Waldteufe. Lili also enjoyed playing table tennis. Her favorite winning strike was by a fast forehand loop.

Lili was a talented all-rounder and would happily take on any task that was presented to her, be it nursing assistant administering shots, evening school teacher lecturing Chinese literacy, or accountant processing data. Her life mission was to help out wherever and whenever needed. Working at the prestigious Tsinghua University starting from 1957, Lili held multiple administrative positions in the civil engineering and architectural department. Diligently serving alongside the faculty and staff, she earned her reputation as the most reliable and resourceful. Lili was a natural leader with compassion and integrity. She always put others' needs above her own. During the late 1970s and early 1980s, there was an on-campus housing shortage at Tsinghua. As the housing committee lead, Lili worked tirelessly to help different families meet their housing needs and became known as a kind-hearted and selfless giver. Her hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed as she eventually rose through the ranks to become the human resources manager at the School of Architecture.

Although she did not have means to pursue college education in her youth, Lili always craved for knowledge and was a consummate lifelong learner. In her late 40s, Lili enrolled in a working adult college program and was finally awarded an associate’s degree. This was not an easy task though because she then still had three needy kids to raise and a demanding full-time job to attend. So, by sheer will, she would be up before dawn almost every day to study and complete homework before everyone else woke up. In 1999, Lili retired from her beloved institute and soon immigrated to the United States to reunite with her family. As a new immigrant so eager to learn and master English, she surprised everyone by attending the Phoenix College at age 70. Lili believed whole-heartedly that education is the pathway to success, and she made every effort beyond measure for her kids to get a good education. And they did and were all successful in their own right, for which they are eternally grateful.

Lili is preceded in death by her parents Taisheng Huang (黃泰生) and Xinghe Zou (邹星荷), older sister Lihua Huang (黄丽华), younger brother Jiahua Huang (黄家华), and husband Cuichang Fang (方萃长). She is survived by her younger sister Lishan Huang (黄丽珊) and second younger brother Jiali Huang (黄家礼); older son Zigang Fang (方子刚) and daughter Zihan Fang (方子菡); and younger son Tao Zi Fong (方子滔) and daughter-in-law Wen Fan (范文), as well as two granddaughters Olneya Fong (方宇韵) and Olina Fong (方宇璇).

Lili’s legacy will forever live in the hearts of everyone she touched. We all love you so much and will dearly miss your sweet smile!