Barbara and I  spent 34 years together in the USA, experiencing both joyous and challenging times. As one of the founders of our business, Aceco Mills Inc, established in 1999, Barbara was an exceptional partner and my right-hand woman. She handled all business matters with confidence and ease, no matter how difficult things became. Her unique way of interacting with customers, employees, and business partners left a lasting impression. She treated everyone with respect, and her managerial skills made those around her better. I couldn't have been prouder of her.
Barbara and I were fortunate enough to travel the world and visit
breathtaking sites across the US. Since moving to this country, she
lived a full and incredible life. America provided her with the
opportunities she had always desired and deserved.

Reflecting on her life, there were three milestones that brought
Barbara immense happiness. 

Firstly, when she moved to the US to reunite with me and begin
building a new life with her family.

Secondly, witnessing our beautiful daughter Monica marry the love of her life, David, a handsome Jersey Boy. Barbara beamed with pride on that day, she had the best time of her life celebrating with family and friends.

Lastly, she had the joy of welcoming her granddaughter Ava into the
world, becoming a doting grandmother. She adored her family,
especially our daughter Monica, son-in-law David, and most of all, our granddaughter Ava Sophia.  And of course, I was the one she loved the most.

Barbara was a remarkable wife, a loving mother, and a kind
grandmother. She was cherished by all who had the privilege of
knowing her. As she smiles down upon us from heaven, may she rest in peace, my dearest wife Barbara.

My beloved wife, Barbara, she was not only a beautiful and classy lady, but also an elegant woman with a gentle demeanor and a radiant smile that could light up any room.

This year was meant to be our 50th wedding anniversary, and we had
planned a trip to Europe to celebrate this milestone. Unfortunately,
that trip will never take place, as Barbara has embarked on her journey to heaven, leaving me behind feeling alone and helpless. The pain is unbearable. However, I find solace in the belief that one day, I will be reunited with my beloved Barbara in heaven.

Barbara cherished life, her work, and her love for the United States of America. For nearly ten years, she single-handedly took care of our daughter Monica in China while I pursued my studies and work in the US. In 1990, she immigrated to America with Monica, seeking a fresh start and a new life for our family. This country, the land of the free and the home of the brave, offered her the opportunities she had longed for. She wasted no time and began working tirelessly,
dedicating the last 30 years of her life to her career. Barbara was truly a strong and courageous woman.

As the years went on, my relationship with my mom grew even stronger and closer. She became my best friend and confidant. From our daily phone conversations to sharing the same interests in TV shows like Gilmore Girls, Felicity, and Downton Abbey (the opening
score was her ringtone), our travels together, shopping (oh, my mom loved shopping!), our interests in fashion, and our love for a tasty glass of wine, I could go on and on. About a month ago, I took my mom to one of her doctor appointments, and afterward, we
stopped at one of her favorite cafes for lunch. It had been a while since we had eaten out together, just the two of us, and we chatted about everything. It felt like the old days, and we even said to ourselves, "We need to do this more often".   Sadly, that was our last
mother-daughter lunch.

As I am surrounded by loved ones today, flooded with all kinds of emotions, above all, I feel incredibly fortunate for the amazing gift of having known my mother and the wonderful relationship I had with her. She was a source of strength and resilience, and her love and selflessness will remain etched in our hearts forever. Rest in peace, dearestMama, knowing that you will always be cherished and remembered. I love you.

However, after her treatments, she never fully regained her physical strength. She had lost tons of weight and became very frail. She often said to me,  "Moni, I wish I were strong enough to watch little Ava for you, so you and David can get a break. I am working on it; I will get better!" That was  my mom, always putting others' needs before her own.

My mother was the one who took care of me for 8 years before we moved from China to the US, while my father resided in the US was dedicated to providing for us financially. It is hard to believe, but I was not the best-behaved child growing up. At that time, I did
not have the best relationship with my mom. I always thought she was too strict, too serious, and always scolding me! I often complained to my friends and my cousin Yi about my mother. I did not understand or appreciate how hard it was to raise a child on her own and how much sacrifice she made to give me the best childhood possible while we were in China.

After my mother and I moved to the US and reunited with my dad, I witnessed a transformation in my mom. She started to smile and laugh more, became more relaxed, and started enjoying life in America. She started working with my dad and they started
their own business together. She learned everything from scratch on her own, from how to use the computer to bookkeeping software for the business, on top of learning English! She did it all with hard work, determination, and an uncanny ability to learn and absorb
new skills. My dad often said to me that the business could operate without him, but it would not exist without my mom.

"Mama, have a good night's rest, and I will see you tomorrow morning! Love you…". Little did I know, those were the last words I exchanged with my mom on 3/28, Thursday night before I left my parents' house. A few hours later, she passed away. I was in complete shock and denial that my dearest Mama was gone. I am still processing the loss, and the pain of losing one’s parent is unbearable.  I know the healing process will take time.
Over the past couple of weeks, my family and I have received an overwhelming number of condolences, care packages, flowers, and phone calls from family, friends, colleagues, and acquaintances from all over. They have expressed their shock, sadness, but most importantly, their love and respect for my mom, Barbara. My Dad and I thank all of you, and we are truly touched by your kind words and gestures.
Barbara was a great mom, wife, daughter/daughter-in-law, sister & sister-in-law, aunt, and friend. She played so many roles in her life and touched the lives of many. Three years ago, she became a proud Wài Pó to Ava. She had just completed her chemo and radiation treatments and was in recovery.
She would call me every day to check on how I was doing as a new mother and to inquire about her granddaughter. I would ask her about her recovery and post-treatment side effects. She always assured me that she was feeling well and not to worry about her. That was how she carried on for the past 3.5 years of her battle with cancer, even until her last day with us.
She rarely complained about her condition, how tired she felt, or any pain she was experiencing. Her attitude always remained positive and resilient, making all of us around her believe that she was doing her best to fight the insidious disease. She was a fighter.

During these last challenging years, her grand-daughter Ava, brought so much joy and light into Barbara's life. Watching her interact with her granddaughter was a sight to behold. Barbara's smile would light up the room as Ava called her "Wai-paw," filling their home with love and laughter.  
And we still had many family dinners with Ava sitting next to her wai-paw, making her smile with all the little adorable things a baby and toddler would do.  No matter how tired Barbara was, having Ava around helped to provide endless joy and a rejuvenation of her spirit.

Farewell Barbara … let us remember your strength, your kindness, and your unwavering love for your family. Though she may no longer be with us in body, her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Barbara's legacy of love and resilience will continue to inspire us for years to come.

Coming from a background of growing up immersed in a small, family-owned business, the Liu family and I shared a common bond. We understood the value of hard work and dedication. Barbara & Johnson, who co-managed their business together, exemplified this trait and instilled it deeply within her family.
Barbara listened more than she spoke.  She was simultaneously helpful and respectful.  Her advice was seasoned with experience and delivered with grace, a reflection of her compassionate nature.  Her relationship with Monica was a testament to this, built on a foundation of listening to each other and unwavering support.  Barbara had as close of a relationship with her daughter, as any parent would hope for.  There would never be more than a few days that would go by without Monica or her mother reaching out to one another and checking in.  I feel so fortunate for Monica that she was able to have this strong and loving relationship with her mom. 
Weekends spent at Barbara's home were filled with warmth and laughter. She would greet us with a smile, eager to catch up on family news and share a meal.  I will truly miss coming over and having Barbara ready with a list of chores for me to help out with around the house.  Barbara would always ask if I was hungry and ask how my parents were doing and I would then ask her to kindly put me to work and where I could help.
Soon after Monica found out she was pregnant with our daughter, Ava, we were also given the unfortunate and frightening news that Barbara had been diagnosed with cancer and would have to undergo a series of radiation and chemo treatments.
Over the next few years, Barbara faced her battles and displayed true courage and resilience.  Barbara was a fighter and never once complained about the hardship she was enduring, and will continue to serve as a source of inspiration to me.

I remember the first time I met Barbara & Johnson, back in 2013.  It was a warm, autumn evening at Elysian Cafe in Hoboken, where Monica introduced me to her parents.  Though the details of our conversation have faded, the warmth of her parents’ welcome remains vivid in my memory.  I clearly recall the table where we sat outside, eating mussels and enjoying the same food together and thinking to myself how friendly and accepting they were to me.

In the following weeks, I had the pleasure of visiting Barbara and her family in Livingston (a town very close to where I grew up). It was there that I met Niuniu, their beloved rottweiler, who quickly became a sign of acceptance into the Liu family. Barbara's warmth extended beyond her furry companion; she greeted me with open arms, embodying kindness and acceptance from the start.

I had heard whispers of Barbara's tough exterior, and her high standards (as any mother should), but I never witnessed any of that. Instead, I encountered a woman of quiet strength, self-assurance, and unwavering kindness. Getting to know the family of the person you’re dating can be an intimidating experience, but Barbara welcomed me into her family and treated me with respect and love.

I have known Barbara since we met in 1983, in Tian Jin.  Her sudden passing has been a huge shock, and I have had heavy heart all week since hearing the news. I still can’t believe she’s gone - we talked each other just six days before she passed away.  I also got a voice mail from Barbara and heard her sweet voice. 

Barbara was like a big sister to me, and I will always carry her with me. Rest in Peace🙏🙏🙏！

Dear Johnson and Monica,

We’re saddened to hear about the passing of Barbara.  Our thoughts are with you and your family.  I know she meant the world to you and how much her smile brightened your day.  May time heal your sorrow.  Barbara was a wonderful person, kind, loving and caring, and she will be dearly missed.  May she sleep peacefully. She’ll forever be in our hearts. 

With deepest sympathy

Words cannot express how sad I have been ever since I got the call from Monica early in the morning on March 29th about the passing of my beloved aunt, Barbara. The memories of her flood back to me like a movie with a mixture of black and white and colored images. 

Though she was my aunt, she was also a friend who would offer a listening ear and advice whenever I needed it. She was there to witness many of the milestones that I have and share the joyful moments with me.   I picked up gardening as a habit because of her and every time I see the lilies in the market, it reminds me of the garden she had where the lilies always blossom beautifully every summer. 

Barbara had remarkable strength and timeless elegance and faced whatever challenges with courage, grace and determination. When we found out that she was diagnosed with cancer, we were all in shocked and didn’t know how to act around her; meanwhile not only she faced it with such bravery, but also fought for it with all her strength without losing grace. It didn’t really matter how painful the treatments were, she never complained and every time I called her or text her, she would always respond cheerfully. Treatments might make her lose her hair, thinning her body, taking away the radiance that she had in her skin, but she always put herself together elegantly every time I visited her and would always have this affectionate smile on her when I walked into her house. As hard had it has been, I take a comfort from an old saying that anything that you lose comes round in another form. She might no longer walk among us, her memory will always be cherished in our hearts. Though we mourn her loss, we will also celebrate the beauty of her life and the love that she shared, so we honor not only her memory but the enduring bonds that connect us all.

I was deeply saddened to learn that Barbara had passed away. She was a model of gentleness and elegance, She always kind to everyone around her. I miss the time we spent together very much, and I hope she will go well all the way and never be tormented by illness again. Let us guard that precious emotion together, and let the deceased feel our longing and love. 🕯️🕯️🕯️

Dear Johnson,

Our heart goes out to you and your family after this sudden loss.
We remember the good times we shared with you and Barbara on the  trips we went away.
She will always remain in our hearts,

The last time I saw Barbara was in the early 2000th at my home in San Francisco.  She and Johnson kindly came to visit me.   She struck me as a refined, pleasant, and well composed person with a kind heart. Her passing shocked and saddened me as I realized that death has come to our generation. I have not even recovered from losing my parents. It also made me realize that more people I love including my beloved Dog will all someday leaving me. It’s hard to face this reality. It also reminds me to be grateful while still healthy and alive. Above all spend time wisely. 

Barbara is obviously a successful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. There are no greater accomplishments than that. 

Let’s use some moments to celebrate her life and her lifetime achievements together. May her soul rest in peace in heaven.

For all the time I’ve been friends with Monica, she was always a devoted and loving daughter. I know she cherished her beautiful mom, Barbara, and would always look forward to seeing her parents whenever she could, even during our years at NYU. Family and friends Barbara leaves behind can attest to how wonderful she was, and she’ll continue to live on through Monica and Ava Sophia. I captured this moment during Monica and David’s wedding back in 2017, and it’s a reminder of a joyous moment, full of love, and seeing how proud and excited she is to becoming a mother-in-law. Rest well in heaven, Barbara, knowing what a great job you did as a wife and mother and friend to so many.

I cherish so many memories with Barbara in the mix. She was a classy lady and will remain so forever. Her untimely departure left many regrets. She will continue to live in her gentle way among us who knew her and loved her. I’ll always remember you, dear friend. The impact you made on the lives of others was quiet but powerful. Thank you for being my friend and gracing my life with your beautiful presence!

Johnson,
My mother,  Mary O’Driscoll,  knew your family very well. She shared so many stories of her time with your beautiful family. 
My mother passed away a few days before Barbara. We are sure your mother, your brother Steven, your wife Barbara and our dear parents are reunited in heaven. 
May God bless your family and carry you through this difficult time.  
Nancy Kret

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Barbara for years and from the beginning she was always kind, generous and supportive. I will always remember what a wonderful friend she was and how she would always give me advice anytime I needed it. Johnson my heart aches for you and your family, I’m here to support you and my the thoughts and prayers are with you always.  Sincerely, Amjad

Dear Johnson, 

We are deeply saddened to learn about the passing of beloved Barbara. Please accept our sincerest condolences during this incredibly difficult time.

Losing a life partner is a profound and heartbreaking experience, and we can only imagine the depth of sorrow you are feeling. Barbara was a remarkable person, and her presence will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

May you find strength, peace, and solace in the love and memories you shared with Barbara and may her spirit continue to guide and watch over you. Our thoughts are with you and your loved ones as you navigate through this period of grief.

Barbara was an elegant and graceful lady. She loved her family and people  she involved. She was very easy going individual . The cancer took her life . But not her spirit. She was a very strong lady, she was fighting the incurable disease until last minute. God knows how much she suffered in last 42 months. She chose to faced the reality with her brave heart and never complains. Every time we asked her or saw her , she always gave a beautiful smile in her face, made you feel better. Life is short. But, it is not short to Barbara, because she is with us in our hearts. She will be remembered forever. 
May Barbara rest in peace.

Johnson and Monica
So sorry for your loss. I Have so many great memories from over 40 years working and traveling  with Barbara. The Liu's. and Aceco are family to me and I wish you strength in this sad time. Sincerely Andy

OBITUARY

Barbara M. Liu

February 10, 1951 – March 29, 2024

Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home

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