Hsi-Ying Shen

Hsi Ying Shen, age 96, was born on January 14, 1917 in Wuyou, City of Yancheng, Jiangsu Province in China. Hsi Ying was surrounded by family as she peacefully went to the Lord on February 2, 2013 at 11:45 P.M. in Torrance, California.

Mrs. Shen's journey was affected by the nature of the challenging times that she lived in. In 1934 in Nanjing, she married Yuncun Shen, a Major in Republic of China's army. He quickly rose to the rank of Major General. During the Sino-Japanese War, she with their five children followed General Shen, moving from city to city across China. After fifteen years of marriage together, she was separated from her husband during the civil war. And he was captured as a prisoner of war by the Communist in 1949.

As a single parent, Mrs. Shen strived to do all she could for her children, providing them with care, education, and love. Her perseverance, resilience, and resourcefulness allowed her to turn challenges into opportunities for herself and her family. After the Communist took over China, Mrs. Shen with her five children moved to Taiwan with the assistance of her sister, Hsi Ling Hsu. While in Taiwan, Mrs. Shen worked as the principal's secretary at Chiayi Girls High School, in Chiayi. In 1970, she immigrated to the United States to visit and live with her grown children and enjoyed her role as a grandmother in her early staying in this new country.

In 1971, the Sino-America relationship was resumed. Through the Oklahoma reporters visited Beijing to meet with Premier Chou En Lai, Ivan unexpectedly found out Mr. Shen was still alive and started the contact. In 1975, Mrs. Shen was reunited with her husband, Yuncun Shen in Guangzhou, China, after 26 years of separation due to the civil war in China. Her husband later joined her to the States, and settled down in Redondo Beach to be close to their youngest daughter Alice Tang's family in Torrance, California. They enjoyed traveling and visiting their children and grandchildren spread across the country. In 1986, her husband passed away during their trip to Beijing, China. Not long after that, she moved to Golden Age Village in Monterey Park, California. She was very enthusiastic and involved in church and community activities. Mrs. Shen was a devout Christian and felt it was a blessing to spend her last years at the Earlwood Care Center in Torrance, California.

She leaves behind to cherish: children Mike (Eva), Nancy Tai, Grace Hsu, Ivan (Susan), Alice Tang (George); 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is loved and will be missed and remembered forever. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2013, 9:30 AM at Rice Mortuary, 5310 Torrance Boulevard, Torrance, CA, 90503.