Frances Chun Hsiung

Born in Shanghai, China on December 3rd, 1929 ~ passed away in Vancouver, British Columbia on August 11th, 2011. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends. A Funeral Service will be held in the Chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby, BC on Saturday, August 27th, 2011 at 10:00 am. Interment to follow at Capilano View Cemetery, 1490 3rd Street, North Vancouver, BC.

Biography of Mrs. Frances Hsiung (ne: Chan)

Beloved wife of Mr. Ta Chang Hsiung

And beloved mother of Wendy, Jocelyn (John), Robin (Karen)

And beloved grandmother of Bernard, Leonard.

Frances was born in Shanghai on Dec 3, 1929. She went to Sir Thomas Hanbury Public School for Girls in Shanghai. After graduation, she went to Figureido's Business College for further education. In 1947, Frances joined the China National Aviation Corporation as a stewardess. During a flight out to Hong Kong in 1949, Shanghai became “liberated” by the communist party. Her father told her that if she would like to “be free and see the world”, do not return to China. She then began a new life in Hong Kong by herself. She worked with South China Morning Post for a few years, but returned to work in the air with Canadian Pacific afterwards. In 1954, Frances was offered a job as a trade officer at the Department of Commerce and Industry, which marked the beginning of her remarkable career with the Hong Kong Government.

Frances worked tirelessly to promote trade and commerce for Hong Kong. Through the next two decades, she participated in many international trade conventions as Hong Kong’s products were sold to the rest of the world. Her capabilities and effectiveness won respect and recognition from her peers. She rose steadily through the ranks and ended up as a senior executive of the Hong Kong Government. She was also one of the highest ranked female officers at that time. Just before she took early retirement in 1979, Frances was awarded by Her Majesty's Government as a Member of British Empire (MBE) for her outstanding contribution to facilitate and promote trade for Hong Kong.

The Dept of C & I, not only gave Frances a career, but also provided an opportunity for her to meet Lai-Cheung and Christine, her future sisters-in-law. Through them, she met T.C. Hsiung, a businessman whom she married on Oct 15th, 1959. She then gave birth to three children, Wendy, Jocelyn and Robin. In 1980, they decided to immigrate to Vancouver Canada for a better future for the children. Frances switched from a career woman to a stay-at-home mother to look after the children so that they could integrate smoothly in a new country. Frances's efforts did not go astray. All three children graduated from universities. Both Jocelyn and Robin remained in Canada to establish their own careers, one as a banker and the other as a neurologist, while Wendy returned to work in Hong Kong.

In 1998, Frances suffered a stroke that weakened the left side of her body, but she recovered remarkably well. She then developed Parkinson's disease, and later broke her hip from a fall. Frances embraced these challenges gracefully and peacefully. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and was baptized in Aug 1998. His grace is sufficient for us. Frances was always humorous, caring and content. She was surrounded by family and good friends during her final years.

On Aug 7th 2011, she was admitted to the hospital because of severe shortness of breath. She was later diagnosed to suffer from a heart attack. She remained in the ICU for five days. On Aug 11th, she had a second heart attack and the Lord gently and peacefully took her to Heaven.

Frances, a loving wife and mother, a caring and witty friend, and a capable and successful career woman, will be greatly missed by all her family, relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation.

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Sincere thanks from the Hsiung family.