Rebecca Chin

Rebecca Chin, 65, of Newton, MA passed away on Saturday, September 1, 2012. Beloved wife of Chuck Chin, devoted mother of Brenda and Norman Chin, Rebecca is also survived by one sister, three brothers and many nieces and nephews.

Rebecca was born in Hong Kong and was only 17 years old when she met and married Chuck. Like others, he went back to the old country to look for a wife. They married in 1963 and moved to Boston where Chuck's family lived. She soon became a mother of two wonderful children, Brenda and Norman, whom she was fiercely devoted to.

She quickly adapted to her new life and in-laws. While working as a seamstress, she knew in order to be successful and to provide the best for her family, she needs to gain more skills. She knew leaning English was the key. Rebecca hired a tutor and mastered English quickly. In order to earn more money, she then decided to work in a restaurant. However, she wasn't satisfied and was ready to take a new challenges. Rebecca became a successful entrepreneur with her own dry cleaning and alterations business.

Rebecca was a role model for immigrant women. She was confident, independent, tough, strong-minded, yet generous, giving, and caring. Not one for holding back, she could be brutally honest. If Rebecca told you something it was to help you be better.

This is a testament to the woman she was.

Many of us have read Brenda's moving account of Rebecca's valiant struggle the last year of her life - both the highs and lows. Two of my favorite passages are a picture of Becky where Brenda describes her as a trendsetter in a Carol Brady wig. The other is from a night, not long before her death and after a difficult visit with the doctor. At Rebecca's request they went out for raw cherrystones. She was bopping her head and clapping at a break-dance performance outside Faneuil hall beforehand. The picture of Rebecca enjoying those cherrystones is priceless. She is so full of her passion of life.

Rebecca leaves a wonderful legacy for those who knew her, her family, her friends, and most of all for her devoted husband Chuck, her daughter Brenda, and her son Norman.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, Sept. 7, from 5 PM to 9 PM at Boston Harborside Home of JS Waterman-Langone, 580 Commercial St. Boston, MA 02109. Funeral service on Sat., Sept 8, at 10:00 AM at the funeral home. Family will receive relatives and friends at 9 AM prior the service. A procession to St. Joseph Cemetery in Boston will follow. Parking attendants will be on duty on both days.