Juju Lien

Juju Lien, a champion of human rights and a trailblazer in Chicago’s Asian American community for nearly 50 years, passed away peacefully on November 3rd, at the age of 78.

Juju was a formidable community activist dedicated to providing social services and advocating for equal justice for Chicago’s Asian American refugees and immigrants. Her commitment to service saw her lead two prominent organizations: she served as the Executive Director of the Chinese Mutual Aid Association and later held the same role at the Asian American Institute (now Asian Americans Advancing Justice). She was also a life-long feminist and a tireless advocate for gender equality, having been involved with the Chicago Foundation for Women since its inception in 1985, supporting its fundraising and advocacy for women and girls. She retired in 2020 after 21 years of dedicated service with the Social Security Administration.

Born in China and raised in Taiwan, Juju graduated from Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei.

A Life of Deep Impact and Beloved Connections

Juju was preceded in death by her beloved husband of over 40 years, Robert Cross, a Chicago Tribune reporter and award-winning travel writer. She is survived by their daughter, Amy Cross (Matthew), and her pride and joy, grandson Leon.

Serving as her family’s matriarch, Juju will be lovingly remembered by her brothers Martin Lien (Lee) and Kai Lee (Jane), nieces Jing Ting Hammond (Steve), Jing Dee Lien (John), Jing Yee Curtiss (Kirk), Katie Lee, and and her grandnieces and grandnephews Zoe, Calvin, Norah, and Harper.

Known as a person who “knew no strangers,” Juju had a remarkably busy social life. She will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by the family she chose: her countless friends in Chicago and around the world. She kept her friends very close and loved to host and cook for them. It’s no surprise that she continued to make new friends even in her final days, as she was a source of humor and inspiration to almost every person she met. Her life was one of deep impact, adventure, and incredible strength. We will never know another Juju, and we are forever changed.

MEMORIAL

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, December 7th, 1:00 PM at The Woman’s Club of Evanston, 1702 Chicago Ave, Evanston, IL 60201

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Asian Giving Circle, a cause Juju was passionate about and instrumental in helping to form. Asian Giving Circle, an initiative of The Chicago Community Trust, was founded in 2002 as a grassroots philanthropic initiative that supports nonprofits serving the diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in the Chicago region. AGC is one of the oldest giving circles for AAPI communities, and since its founding has distributed over $1 million to more than 60 organizations.