In loving memory of a most remarkable and special person who affected many with her grace and humor both in China and in the United States.  She will be missed by many of us who were lucky enough to have known her.

Dear Auntie Xin: 
I always remember Great Aunt's heartfelt laugh and her resonating voice. I remember going to a dance party with her at the senior center many years ago, her presence were felt by everyone. Her laughter and joy fills every corner of the room. 
That is how I remember Great Aunt!
I will always miss her!

Memory party for Jing Wen Hao, September 10, 2014, North Berkeley Senior Center.

Flowers & elegiac couplet (Wan Lian) with 25 signatures

Memorial party for Jing Wen Hao, September 10, 2014, North Berkeley Senior Center

Sunny,  Hao's best pal (98 years old),  dance with  Hao's goddaughter Wenny.

Memorial party for Jing Wen Hao, September 10, 2014, North Berkeley Senior Center

The chairman of Karaoke club, Liu mama, sing a song

Memorial party for Jing Wen Hao - September 10, 2014 North Berkeley Senior Center.

Berkeley dance group performed dance to commemorate Hao Jie

Memorial party for Jing Wen Hao - September 10, 2014 North Berkeley Senior Center.

Dear Cindy,

Kwei and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of your mother.  Although I didn't know her well, I was always delighted when we were together.  Her zest for life was contagious; she always made me smile.

I remember one day she was sitting at our dining room table with Auntie Annie, Auntie Sylvia, and Kwei's mother.  They were trying to think of a Chinese name for me that sounded like my English name.  There was much laughter around the table that day.  Finally they settled on something, and wrote my "new" name in Chinese characters on a piece of paper.  I still have that paper, and it makes me smile when I look at it.  I remember all the good times I had with these four wonderful women, all now gone.  I imagine them together now, giggling, and playing mah jong in heaven!

I met Mrs. Hao 20 months ago at valley House care center. she was one of my favorite patients. Mrs Hao was a very funny and intelligent women. Every time i walk in to her room to administer her medications she wel-come me with a smile and throw few jokes about the food channel she always watch. Every time i see her amazing art work  hanged on the wall of her room, I can imagine how brilliant and creative mind she had. During her stay at valley house she cared more about her life time friend and husband Mr. Li. Before she goes to bed at night she had to make sure all her husband's meds are given. Even at her difficult last days of her life she didn't forget to call my name and ask for a glass of water. Even though she is gone to a better place. she will be missed by everyone who knew her. my condolences goes to Mr. Li and daughter Cindy. who was involved tirelessly in her mother's care from day one until the day she left us.  
again my heart felt condolence goes to the family. Rest in Peace Mrs. HAO.

Negassi
Nurse at valley House care center

Auntie Jing-wen had such a zest for life and was such a kind, happy person. She was so richly blessed by friends and family. I'll miss her.

Dear Xin:
It was an honor and a blessing to care for your Mom. many blessings to come for your family. Your mom was such a lovely woman. I often think about all the times we spent together and all the amazing moments! She was one of the persons to have around. The time I have her as my patient she was very kind and lovely, I have learned so much from her and will remember her always. 
Thanks to let me stay with your mom in her last moment, her and  family will be  in our prayers! God bless you always!

Dear Xin,

We are deeply sorry to hear about the death of your mother. Our prayers are with you and your family.

August 26, 2014

Dear Xin,
May you all find comfort and strength in the warmth and caring of friends and family.

Warmest regards, 
Lena, Geoffrey, Fasil, Michael, Shih, Richard, Randy, Hay, Ming

August 31, 2014

Mrs.Jing Wen Hao is one of my favorite patients that I take care of at VHCC. She  is a good and joyful woman. When she comes across great pain from her Arthritis, she always has a smile on her face and is happy. Her happiness gives me joy to be a nurse. Mrs. Jing Wen Hao is also very diligent. She does her daily exercise and is very active in our nursing home activities. She is so devoted that she encourages her husband to exercise for his own well being. Mrs. Jing Wen Hao is patient and a strong woman. She teaches me Mandarin and exchanges jokes with me. I really enjoyed my time with Mrs. Jing Wen Hao. I will never forget her and my memories with her. I thought of her as my own grandmother. I will pray for you, Mrs. Jing Wen Hao. Please be in peace.
VAN NGUYEN (SANTA CLARA,CA)

Ms Jing was such a nice lady.  She was pleasant, and enjoyed music very much.
It was a pleasure to have Ms. Jing at Valley House, she got along with everyone, and never had any complaints.
She will be missed greatly.  

Manya,at Valley House Rehabilitation Center

I was Ms. Jing wen hao CNA, I am the one taking care of her since she got to her facility till she pass on,                                 I refer to her as my grandma because she was just too nice, she had no problem with anyone.                                         I no her husband will miss her so much to the extend that there can't be a replacement for her in his heart, she was a wife like mother to him, a wife like a sister, she always made sure his being taking care of  adequately. I'm an Africa America & she's China America  but i love her & I love her way of life, I miss u so much grandma.     Rest in perfect peace.

Dear Auntie Jingwen, every time I met you you made me feel like your own son. You have touched many lives with your kindness. We will miss you here on earth.

Hao Jie and Hao GanMa

Everyone called her Hao Jie( Big sister ), I called her Hao GanMa(godmother).  She said: 
"Sister is younger, Mama is older, so no too loud when you call me GanMa.."

We met at Berkeley Senior Center about 7 years ago,I was 50 ish, she was 80 ish, we love dancing, painting, arts and shared the same kind of outgoing personality, I was immediately attracted by Hoa Jie's happy gregarious disposition.  We hit it off on day one! 

Hao loved ballroom dancing, she chose to dance the man's leader steps, she said: “I don't want to wait for a man to invite me to dance, this way I can get girls to dance with me whenever I want to!”  So she did.  

Hao also took Belly dancing with us, when we were all shaking our Bellies and more, she would cheer loudly: "Hao (good) ! "
We would contagiously be laughing-silly and just overall had a grand time! 

Hao is a great caretaker to everybody she knows. She used to bring me food from her kitchen, knowing that I do not like to cook. I said to her: “you treat me better than my own mother!”  Thus, we have a new name for each other, I called her Gan Ma(godmother), she called me Gan Nuer(goddaughter).  

Sometimes, we were having a bit too much fun in the center, So she'll say to us: “I should stop playing today, time to go and take care my husband Lao Li now !” 

Hao volunteered in the senior center for decades,  she was a true leader, she and her old pals Sun DaJie, Liu Mama, Ko Jie started Karaoke club, organized many social activities and Hao performed at our Chinese festival numerous times, make Berkeley Senior Center the most vibrant senior center for Chinese in the Bay area.  

She used to say: “I go to work at the Berkerley senior center.”  

Hidden behind her happy smiles, the painful rheumatoid arthritis had taken a toll on Hao's health, we  so admired her positive cheerful disposition! She used to said: “when I wake up in the morning, I tell myself: I earned it one more day, I have to live to the fullest today.”  Hao taught me to do the same in life, she told me to enjoy my life - to travel and to dance when I still can, to do the things I like and not to worry much about others opinions.  So I did.    

This time she went away peacefully, left everyone with so much fond (fun) memories.  She wants no sadness about her departure, no black clothing and tears, she wants us to dance and sing in her goodbye party.  So we will.  

Hao was young at heart, unique in nature, let's all dance together where Hoa is dancing above and we are still on the earth.   

We/ I will miss you forever. 
Love you 
Gan Nuer Wenny

Dear Auntie Jingwen Hao,

You walked away from us peacefully and comfortably, but left us with tons of wonderful memories!

We knew you well through your long-time friendship with my Mom Jinglan Meng. Both of you were not only the close classmates, but also the best roommates in the college. Later, two of you were also working in the same institution for quite a long time. Most importantly, born in those years, you had a lot of commons and always took care of each other, particularly in those hard times during “Culture Revolution” in China. 

We really admired the friendship you had kept those years with my Mom. When you were fighting with rheumatoid arthritis, my Mom often asked us to drive a long way from Palo Alto to Berkeley to visit you. In our visiting, we saw your face flushed and eyes shined while talking with my Mom. 
  
We know nobody can replace the position of my Mom in your heart. Two years ago, due to the deteriorated health you moved to the nursing home in Santa Clara. My Mom asked us to take her to visit you every Saturday. Starting in the early morning, my Mom prepared and helped me cook whatever you liked to eat, including those Chinese deserts and foods. Even when my Mom were sick or felt uncomfortable, she still insisted to visit you. We asked her to stay in the home that day, but she said you were looking forward of someone coming to see you, particularly when she knew that you did not have many relatives to visit you in your sick days.  

While in the nursing home, we enjoyed listening your talk about those college life, funny stories about your roommates, playing in the same basketball team, enjoying eating after game, etc. I saw both of you laughed and laughed when you were chatting and recalling life in the college days. I remembered that after China trip, my mom brought photos of some old friends and college classmates. Both of you tried to memorize every classmate and funny stories. Sometimes, the same story were repeated and repeated, but you never felt bored.

You were a great hero in fighting the disease. Your positive attitude towards the life impressed all of us around you. We saw your courage in fighting the disease pain in the joint by sharing us your diversified talents: painting, art, dancing, and playing many music instrument. You had set up a great example for us to live with a strong will. 

For sure, we carry over the friendship you had with my Mom to our generation. Xin and I will take care each other. We will help each other whenever who needs.  

Auntie, we miss you so much!

Mei Zhou
Jifan Hu
Jinglan Meng

Dear Auntie Jingwen Hou,

You walked away from us peacefully and comfortably, but left us with tons of wonderful memories!

We knew you well through your long-time friendship with my Mom Jinglan Meng. Both of you were not only the close classmates, but also the best roommates in the college. Later, two of you were also working in the same institution for quite a long time. Most importantly, born in those years, you had a lot of commons and always took care of each other, particularly in those hard times during “Culture Revolution” in China. 

We really admired the friendship you had kept those years with my Mom. When you were fighting with rheumatoid arthritis, my Mom often asked us to drive a long way from Palo Alto to Berkeley to visit you. In our visiting, we saw your face flushed and eyes shined while talking with my Mom. 
  
We know nobody can replace the position of my Mom in your heart. Two years ago, due to the deteriorated health you moved to the nursing home in Santa Clara. My Mom asked us to take her to visit you every Saturday. Staring early morning, my Mom prepared and helped me cook whatever you liked to eat, including those Chinese deserts and foods. Even when my Mom were sick or felt uncomfortable, she still insisted to visit you. We asked her to stay in the home that day, but she said you were looking forward of someone coming to see you, particularly when she knew that you did not have many relatives to visit you in your sick days.  

While in the nursing home, we enjoyed listening your talk about those college life, funny stories about your roommates, playing in the same basketball team, enjoying eating after game, etc. I saw both of you laughed and laughed when you were chatting and recalling life in the college days. I remembered that after China trip, my mom brought photos of some old friends and college classmates. Both of you tried to memorize every classmate and funny stories. Sometimes, the same story were repeated and repeated, but you never felt bored.

You were a great hero in fighting the disease. Your positive attitude towards the life impressed all of us around you. We saw your courage in fighting the disease pain in the joint by sharing us your diversified talents: painting, art, dancing, and playing many music instrument. You had set up a great example for us to live with a strong will. 

For sure, we carry over the friendship you had with my Mom to our generation. Xin and I will take care each other. We will help each other whenever who needs.  

Auntie, we miss you so much!

Mei Zhou
Jifan Hu
Jinglan Meng

To Auntie Hao
I met you in 1998, that was our first meeting.  It was short but your talent , humor and kindness impressed me a lot. You were not young at all in your age but you were still "curious" to every thing including Blogs. I visited your blogs, by which I knew you more, and saw and went into your heart, a baby like heart. I also knew you were happy every day and enjoyed every minute of life. Now you left us, I am sure you will be happy and satisfied in the other side of the world.  God will be with you.

Shuqin liu

Xin,
 
I just heard about your mother. I am very sorry about your loss, my thoughts are with you and your family.

Dear Li Xin,
 
I'm saddened by the news of your dear mom's passing. You have been a good daughter, taking care of her and putting so much efforts in obtaining nutrition supplements/alternative medicine and having them professionally analyzed. There are no words I could offer to comfort you about your loss except the clilche that she's in a better place with no pain.
 
What I remember the most about your mom are the joy she brought to everyone at the North Berkeley Senior Center and her upbeat spirits in spite of the debilitating desease. I could still hear her singing and laughing and see her chatting with Sunny and my mom. She cared about every one she met and every one loved her. She will be missed by all. Today I'll be dedicating some dances to the memory of your mom at the Center.
 
Take care and please accept my sincerest condolences to your family.

Very sad to get news of the tragic loss of our beloved friend. 
Heartfelt condolence and deepest sympathy to her husband and children.

I'm saddened by the loss of Hao Jie but Thank you for letting us know. She will be missed by all. I will fulfill her wish with my dancing today and dedicate a few dances to the loving memory of Hao Jie.
 
Regards,

Li Xin Ah Yi,

I am very sorry to hear about your loss. It has been a long time but I still remember your mother's jovial nature. Come for Singapore for a holiday! Take care and I hope to see you soon!

Xin,

I am very sorry to hear about your loss. 
A loved ones passing is never easy.
Please accept my heartfelt condolence.
My prayers are with you and your family.

Dear Xin,
 
I was so sorry to hear from Geoffrey today the news about your mother.  I want to express my deepest sorrow about that.
I can imagine how difficult this time for you and your family. Please be strong, sometimes we must to realize that there are things in life nobody can change.
 
My deepest condolences,

From Berkeley Senior Center :

All Hao's senior center friends send their regards today. They sang the songs that Hao used to sing in the Karaoke club to remember her.  They are planning a singing party for Hoa next Wednesday at their Karaoke club room. Hao is one of the founders of this club, and she is truly missed by everyone here.

I shared some pictures from Jing Wen Hao's web site and my iphone pics. 
Hoa's best pals Sunny Sun and Liu mama are sad but happy that Hoa is in a better place with no pain.

Dear Li Xin,
 
I am so sad to hear the news.
I know how much you loved your mom, and you have demonstrated yourself  a best duaghter to her. Auntie Jing-wen will always be proud of you, as having such a good daughter of her.  
 
Take care! And all the best to your and your father.

Anntie Jing-Wen was always a happy, very friendly and energetic person in my memory.  She brings fun to people around her, and her positive attitude to life will be my model of life.  She will be missed as a great mom!

Hi, Dear

with genuine sadness I learned of your mom's passing, please accept my and my family's heartfelt sympathy on the loss of my grandaunt Jing Wen Hao.

I met her last year when I went to USA, Richard, my mom and I had great time with grandaunt Jing Wen. That is my valuable memory, we all remember her and cannot forget...

Now she lives a beautiful place and may her rest in peace

Although I only met her few time, but I am so close to  Xin, i feel i know her very well. she is a happy, humor, talent and colorful person. She never give up the joy of life,  even when she was not mobile, she still wheelchair herself to places and senior center. All her friends love her, admired her. Because She have a big loving, giving heart.

She will be my role model for life.

Some thirty years ago, I met Aunt Jing Wen when she arrived in Berkeley along with her family. Experiencing her penchant for joy and humor is nothing less than amazing, especially from someone who lived through the turmoil of such a tumultuous period on the mainland. She also expressed herself enjoying art, crafts, paintings, and dance.

 I will always remember her ready smile and uplifting spirit.

My husband, Larry, and I remember Auntie Jing-wen, Uncle CL and their family when they first joined uncle's two eldest brothers and their families in Berkeley in the mid-1980s.  Auntie Jing-wen noted then that she will bring laughter to our homes.  She did that and more.

Through her joy, love, enthusiasm for life, and positive outlook in all she did (art, painting, dance, singing, cooking, gardening), my “dancing aunt” uplifted the spirit of those around her.  She showed us how to live through the many adversities in life.  She is and will be missed.

Loved and cared for me unconditionally. she was an amazing person at heart with full of charisma,positive, wisdom and much more...  Aunt Jing Wen taught me many important things in life, and one of them was to always live life with genuine happiness and never give up when i am facing a mountain of obstacles. i will never forget all the great values and morals she has taught me , and i will continue to live the way she would want me to if she was here today.             
Auntie Jing Wen I miss you and love you! I hope you are being taken care of by all the loving angels from above.
My emotion at the moment is too painful  to express. However, i only know i will deeply miss my dear aunt Jing Wen. She was truly a second mother to me.

For Auntie Jing Wen.
I met her only once in China many years ago. It was only after she and her family settled down in Berkeley near my parents that we kids got to know her. She always had a ready smile for us and, through her broken English, she would make witty comments. She was very approachable and well liked.

Auntie found her new life in the USA very much to her liking. The little bit of independence that was always in her began to sparkle. After she became a member of the senior center, her life really blossomed. She seemed to enjoy ALL of their activities and exercises. She particularly liked dancing. She would twirl around even in the kitchen and she became known as the “Dancing Auntie”!

As she slowed down in her later years, she had to adjust to a new life on a wheel chair. Of course, she did not let that bother her as she found a new outlet for her creative energy. She started painting, both Chinese and western. She also showed her whimsical side as she did many miniature carvings of melons and vegetables. They were both artistic and funny and were very much appreciated.

Yes, we will miss our Auntie Jing Wen, but we are eternally grateful that her star shined oh so very bright when she was with us. We will never forget you.

Dear Cindy,

Kitty and I are deeply saddened by the news of your mother's passing, but we're relieved that she will no longer suffer the pains that advanced age tried to pile upon her.

Instead, we will always remember Jingwen for her warm smile, laughter, and wise comment that only a life of experience can bring.

Her senior years brought forth a remarkable artistic talent that lives on, and shines from every canvas touched by her brush.

One of our favorite memories is of your Mom climbing onto her electric scooter, rolling down the balcony, descending the lift, zooming down the  sidewalk and crossing busy Grove Street on her way to art class at the Berkeley Senior Center. Her high spirit and style made Marlin Brando's movie stunts pail by comparison.

Fathers are often thought of as 'head of the family' but Mother's are truly the family's core... we know you miss her, and will think of her often in future.
We will miss her too. We miss her now.

We know your mom suffered the pains of advanced age, and in this respect we are glad that her suffering is over, and that she is resting in eternity.

We know that, right now, you are suffering the grief of her passing..... these feelings are natural. In time your grief will pass..... and as time passes you will remember your mother, and we're sure your memories will be good.

We remember her too.....

Love,

Kitty & Michael

Please accept my sympathy. Your mother is one of the greatest person that I know. 


                                                                                  Jennifer Wang

I have many happy memories of auntie Hao, my close friend Xin's mother. I remember her smiling face, her talents and creativity in arts and crafts, and most importantly, her optimistic spirit that make her prevail in virtually any difficult situation in her life. I also remember her kindness and generosity, especially when I was in Berkeley during 1989-1990. I still remember the great taste of home-made dumplings and date bread ("Zao Bing" in Chinese, a typical Peking dish) that she made for me. During my last visit of Berkeley a few years ago, she demonstrated her paintings to me, all of them was done with her deformed hands due to arthritis. What an extraordinary lady!

Aunti Hao has been, and will always be, an exemplary role model for us: LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST. 

May her rest in peace. 

Hong

For Auntie Jing Wen.
I met her only once in China many years ago. It was only after she and her family settled down in Berkeley near my parents that we kids got to know her. She always had a ready smile for us and, through her broken English, she would make witty comments. She was very approachable and well liked.

Auntie found her new life in the USA very much to her liking. The little bit of independence that was always in her began to sparkle. After she became a member of the senior center, her life really blossomed. She seemed to enjoy ALL of their activities and exercises. She particularly liked dancing. She would twirl around even in the kitchen and she became known as the

This is a great place to share with everyone, to memorize the good time we experienced in our life! In my memory,  untie Hao was a happy lady, she was so enjoy the life, no matter what; and she made her life so joyful with her talents-piano,  painting, dancing, singing, her life was so colorful!  She had great attitude with life, she was such a strong woman I have ever seen. I belive there are lives in the haven, and untie Hao will have better life in the haven. She will enjoy more there with her new friends.

I m grateful to know her as a mother of my best friend ! She was an amazing person who always bring joy, love, passion, and strength to her family and friends ! An ordinary lady with a remarkable life ! She will be missed !

I knew Jing Wen Hao as the mother of my dear friend. She was a brave and extraordinary woman. Her full and colorful life had shined everyone around her. She enjoyed dancing, singing, music, art, poetry with great passion. She created numerous artwork and poems during her years of unbearable arthritis pain and severely deformed finger joints. She always had a genuine and contagious smile, and she was very considerate of others even during the last part of her life. She had been loved dearly and will be remembered by all around her!

I am writing on behalf of my own family, my husband Ping, my son Xiaowei from the East Coast; my mother Choh-Bao Li, and my sister Xiaogao and brother Xiaotao from China. 

I knew auntie Jingwen since my childhood back in China in early 1960s. Her delightful and optimistic personality and love of eating good food made her one of my favorite aunties. Back in China, life was very unpredictable especially for intellectuals. When my uncle, auntie Jingwen's husband, accidentally became “right wing” underdog in the late 1950s, the family was through very tough time with poor living conditions and mental sufferings for years of political isolation and criticism. Auntie Jingwen never left my uncle unlike many others did during that time. Her deep love and strong will kept family together; and her optimistic personality, loud laughers, and cheers at each meal time created a small piece of freedom land in that tiny home up on the attic away from outside politic suppressions and hardship. 

After the family immigrated to Berkeley, California, the life for first generation of immigrants especially in their 60 have not been easy. She was an energetic, cheerful, and devoted volunteer at senior centers. Her positive energy towards life affected everyone around her. Later her health was declined and suffered from a very painful arthritis for decades. She could not sleep when pain caught her at night but instead of crying out loud she was singing with lyric she composed for her own pain. Even in her wheel chairs, she managed to go to senior center singing and doing her craft art that everyone enjoyed during each holiday season. Right before her death at the nursing home, she still reminded her daughter Xin not to forget to pay for her caregiver and to send thanks to the staff around her. 

Her love to life, strong will to live, and positive attitude towards human suffering are good role model for all of us. She lived a beautiful life and may her rest in peace. 

Xiaohong in Connecticut

Thank you for posting this site, Xin.  It so reflects Auntie's talent, fun, and love of life.  She will be missed.  We send you love and our deep condolences.  
Cora, Don and Lai Tong

OBITUARY

Jing Wen Hao

July 13, 1926 – August 25, 2014

Lima Family Milpitas-Fremont Mortuary and Cedar Lawn Cemetery

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