Stella Sze-Shang Hsi, 83, a long-time resident of Piedmont, California, died unexpectedly on July 8 in Thousand Oaks where she had lived the past year very near her daughter, Petrina. She was born on February 16, 1936, in Shanghai, China, to Pihan Chang and Veechung Chu. She was the fourth in a family of five children, Roy, Helen, Clara, Stella, and Wallen.
Stella made many lifelong friends at Ying Wa Girls School in Hong Kong. With dear friends all around the world, she was lucky that some are in the Bay Area too. Stella continued her education at the prestigious University of Hong Kong, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She was trained as a teacher and taught in England and Hong Kong.
Stella met her husband Peter Hsi in Hong Kong and married in 1964. Once married, Stella and Peter started their family in Japan. When she and Peter immigrated to the United States, she was a teacher’s aid in Oakland and then worked at the Asian Law Caucus for Ed Lee. Together, Stella and Peter also successfully managed and grew their investments.
Stella enjoyed the arts and lived an active life. She made crafts with her grandchildren, knitted sweaters for the family, and loved to sew. She exercised daily and particularly enjoyed swimming.
Stella loved playing with children and especially with her three grandchildren Amy, Kaylyn, and Christopher. When young neighbors moved in around her home in Piedmont, the children enjoyed visiting Stella, feeding her goldfish, coloring in her living room, and having a treat.
Stella is survived by her sister Helen, her brother Wallen, her beloved daughters Linda Hsi (David Deatherage) of Los Altos, California, and Petrina Hsi (Michael Robertson) of Westlake Village, California. Her most beloved grandchildren are Amy Deatherage, Christopher Robertson, and Kaylyn Robertson. We will always carry her joyful spirit in our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, if friends desire, donations can be made in Stella's name to the Piedmont Education Foundation at 401 Highland Ave., Piedmont CA 94611 or at the link below.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18