Huinong Chen

On December 1, 2024, Mrs. Huinong Chen, a woman of great virtue and deep respect, peacefully passed away at home, following her beloved husband, Mr. Tianji Miao, exactly three weeks later at the same time.

Born in February 1934 in Luzhou, Sichuan Province, into a prominent family with a rich cultural heritage, Mrs. Chen inherited the excellent virtues and wisdom of her ancestors and parents. Her family valued social interactions and traditional Chinese culture, exposing her to various distinguished individuals from a young age and fostering her passion for collecting. Despite experiencing the turmoil of war that often interrupted her education, she excelled academically and was admitted to Tsinghua University. Responding to Premier Zhou Enlai's statement, "We must have our own petroleum," she chose to study petroleum engineering, which later led to the establishment of the China University of Petroleum. This decision took her away from her familiar family to the northern regions of China.

Mrs. Chen worked for 38 years at the Sinopec Research Institute as an outstanding analytical researcher. She mastered various methods of petroleum analysis and participated in formulating standardized regulations and procedures for petroleum products. She was one of the few women to be promoted to Senior Engineer early in her career.

During her time in the cold northern regions, she married Mr. Tianji Miao, and they shared 64 years and 310 days of life together. Deeply influenced by her parents, Mrs. Chen was always kind to others, never concerned with wealth or personal gain. She was intelligent, diligent, well-read, knowledgeable in history, geography and nature, yet humble, earning the respect of her family and everyone around her. Her exemplary character profoundly influenced her descendants.

In 2000, following her husband's retirement, Mrs. Chen moved to the United States. She not only helped care for her grandchildren but also found the greatest meaning and hope in life through her faith in Jesus Christ. She actively participated in church activities, doing her best to help those in need. After being diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2019, she lived under her husband's attentive care. During this time, she not only battled illness but also, with her exceptional memory and determination, continued writing, compiling her life experiences into books, hoping that future generations could understand history.

Mrs. Chen is survived by her brother Jixu Chen (Yan Zhu), two daughters, Ruth Miao and Mary Weerts (Douglas), three grandchildren, Naixin Zhang, Rick Weerts, and Liliya Trotter (Jonathan).

Mrs. Chen's love for her family, life, and work, along with her steadfast faith, will forever encourage her descendants to continue trusting in God. One of her most frequently recited scriptures was, "I lift up my eyes to the hills; where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Mrs. Chen now rests in the embrace of the Lord who loved her, forever and ever.

In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Chen’s family kindly requests donations to the Love Fund to support those in need within her cherished church family, CNSCCC. Your generosity is deeply appreciated.

To donate: please make check payable to: CNSCCC (Memo: Mrs. Chen Love Fund)