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Irene was my favorite cousin. She was always kind and generous us younger cousins. While her brothers would tease and joke, and sometimes hurt our feelings, she would be there to console us. She wasn’t a pushover either. There were times in which her parents didn’t approve of her choices, but she stuck to what was right for her. I really miss her smiles and warmth.
I was so lucky to have Mrs. Hsu as my piano teacher for almost 12 years. I didn’t love piano when I first started until my mom found Mrs. Hsu. I promised to stick with piano for at least 1 year and stayed with her until I graduated from high school. I loved music studying under Mrs. Hsu. She became much more than a piano teacher and  was a loving, understanding and stable adult presence in my childhood years. She knew everything about me- academics, extracurricular, friends and boyfriends! I cannot count how many hours I spent studying in her basement studio before and after my weekly lesson until my dad came to pick me up. Each of her students knew how much she truly cared about us as both musicians and children and we all knew we had the best teacher in NJ! As an adult I now often think about restarting to play again and it always makes me think of Mrs. Hsu. Mr. Hsu and family, I hope all of these fond memories help ease some sadness during this time. Love, Amanda Kan 
I'm very sorry for your loss, Eugene. Was glad to be part of your mother's journey near the end though and believe we'll see her soon again soon enough. (I've donated separately to the Zigen Fund)
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Recital
1996
Recital — with Irene Hsu and Eric Sun
Sending my deepest condolences. Irene was beloved by my late husband Eric Sun, and I remain so grateful to her and Jay for their warmth and support.

The following is from Jay’s niece Yuan Hong. Both the original Chinese and an English translation are provided. Translation by Jay, Eugene, and Kerri. Thank you Yuan Hong!!

"Hello Uncle Jay, Elders, Peers, and Juniors,

Together,  we are here to remember a very special and kind person in our lives, my Aunt Irene.

My name is Yuan Hong. In 1991, I arrived the United States from China with the dream to study. I didn't know anyone in the USA, I didn't understand the language, I was isolated. The same time my uncle TK/Jia Jikang had late-stage lung cancer and we needed someone to contact the doctor, home nurse, and care for my uncle TK. I didn't know where to get help. My uncle TK’s godmother - uncle Jay's mom - grand aunt Ling-Nyi, Jianhuai uncle (Uncle Jay), aunt Irene, Aunt Dora - Peng Shihong's mother, together extended a helping hand. Uncle Jay and aunt Irene made a special trip by train from New Jersey to New York to visit TK. Uncle Jay worked tirelessly to contact a lawyer to set up my uncle TK's will, and later went to the Chinese Consulate to handle documents related to Uncle TK’s death. Brother Peng Shihong visited Uncle TK, helped arrange a visiting nurse, and funeral home. On the day of uncle TK’s death, uncle Jay and aunt Irene, aunt Dora, and Peng Shihong all rushed to Uncle TK's house to see him off on his last journey. Later, Uncle Jay and Brian helped with my moving as well. All these acts of thoughtful compassion and support will be remembered.

Through Uncle TK, I connected with my grand aunt Ling-Nyi, uncle Jay, aunt Irene, Aunt Dora, and Peng Shihong. Since then, Uncle Jay, aunt Irene, and Aunt Dora have often invited me to their house for the holidays. Elder Brother Peng and his wife, second brother Peng and his wife Anna Peng, invited me to dinner. These made me feel warm in a foreign country.

After my uncle TK died of lung cancer, to express my gratitude to my grand aunt Ling-Nyi, I made a special trip to California to visit her, and Aunt Dora also went with me. Aunt Lee and aunt Wendy invited me and Aunt Dora to dinner and arranged a room with a beautiful sea view. Every day we listen to our grand aunt Ling-Nyi tell interesting stories about the past. Grand aunt Ling-Nyi was full of praise when she talked about Aunt Irene. She said that Aunt Irene sent her photos, not simply putting some photos in envelopes and sending them. Instead, she put the photos in a photo album and sent them to her, and wrote the date, location, and name of each photo. It is not easy to get the praise of grand aunt Ling-Nyi. Aunt Irene did things so carefully, seriously, and thoughtfully, which made people respect.

Uncle Jay and aunt Irene went to New York to attend concerts, often arriving early, and inviting me to dinner with Brother Peng and his wife. During the holidays and football games, they also invited me to dinner at their home in New Jersey to celebrate together.

When I was diagnosed with lung cancer, Aunt Irene took a train from New Jersey to New York to accompany me to the doctor. Before my lung cancer surgery, Brother Peng drove me to the hospital, and after the operation, Aunt Irene and Brother Peng Shihong took me to Uncle Jay's home in New Jersey and took care of me for two weeks. Aunt Irene carefully prepared nutritious meals, which helped me recover quickly. Brian also ordered flowers to give me to wish me a successful operation.

While I was recovering from surgery, my mother fell ill in China, and I had to return to China. Brother Peng helped me move all by himself. He ran upstairs and downstairs countless times. When I returned to the United States, Brother Peng picked me up at the airport and invited me to stay at his house. Peng's wife made delicious meals. Every time I went back to China, Brother Peng drove me to Costco to shop. Sometimes Brother Peng drove me to Chinatown to buy rice, buy vegetables, then drove me home as well.

When I returned to China, I met Eugene in Beijing and Shanghai, and we had great conversation.

I went to Canada, and my Aunt Irene helped me receive important letters from the United States. Aunt Irene also often uses WeChat to share interesting videos with me, and she often calls to care about me.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Uncle Jay, Aunt Irene, Peng Shihong, and many others who helped me many times.

I didn't expect Aunt Irene would pass away just after moving to the new home. To this day, my aunt's voice still rings in my ears. The death of Aunt Irene is not only a great loss to Uncle Jay’s family, but also a great loss to all those who know her and all those who have been helped by Aunt Irene.

Aunt Irene has a very kind heart. She has great respect for people and never points fingers at people or criticizes that this is not right and that is wrong. Aunt Irene always listens patiently to others, and her friendly language makes people feel very warm. Aunt Irene has an extraordinary personality, she unites people of all personalities and beliefs around her, evokes the good side of their humanity, and creates a harmonious atmosphere. Being with Aunt Irene will make people feel very relaxed and happy.

I am very fortunate to have met my Aunt Irene in my life.

Thank you, Aunt Irene, you will always live in my heart.

Hong Yuan

健怀舅舅好,各位长辈好,各位同辈及晚辈们好,

我们在这个网站共同缅怀一位我们生命中遇到的非常善良的人,健怀舅妈。

1991年我从中国怀着梦想来到美国读书,人生地不熟,语言不通,孤立无援,遇上我大舅舅郏济康肺癌晚期,需要有人联系医生,家庭护理,以及照顾大舅舅。我不知道从哪儿得到帮助。四舅婆婆-我济康大舅舅的干妈,健怀舅舅,舅妈,佳伯-彭世弘的妈妈,一起伸出了援手。健怀舅舅,舅妈专程从新泽西州坐火车到纽约看望他。健怀舅舅不辞辛苦的帮忙联系律师设立大舅舅的遗嘱,后来还到中国领馆办理与济康舅舅去世后的有关文件。彭世弘大哥帮忙联系visiting nurse,殡仪馆和看望我的济康舅舅,…。济康舅舅去世那天健怀舅舅舅妈,佳伯,彭世弘都赶到济康舅舅家里送他最后一程。后来健怀舅舅和Brian还帮我搬家,...。这一切的雪中送碳之举,让我永记牢记。

通过济康舅舅,我和四舅婆婆,健怀舅舅,舅妈,佳伯,彭世弘有了联系。从此,健怀舅舅,舅妈,佳伯常常请我去他们家中过节。彭大哥,大嫂,彭二哥,二嫂和Anna 彭都请我吃过饭。这些让我身在异国他乡感受到温暖。

我的济康舅舅肺癌去世后,为了表示对四舅婆婆的感激,我专程去加州看望她,佳伯也一同前往。Ante Lee 和Ante Wendy请我和佳伯吃饭,安排很好的海景房给我们住。每天我们都听四舅婆婆讲有趣的往事。四i婆婆说起健怀舅妈赞不绝口。她说,健怀舅妈给她寄照片,不是简单把一些照片放到信封里寄出。而是把照片放在照相簿里寄给四舅婆婆,而且j每张照片写好日期,地点,人名。能得到四舅婆婆的称赞,真不易。健怀舅妈做事那么仔细,认真,体贴,让人心生敬意。

健怀舅舅,舅妈到纽约听音乐会,常常提前到达,请我和彭大哥和彭大嫂一起吃饭。过节以及球赛,健怀舅舅舅妈也请我去新泽西的家里吃饭,欢聚。

我被查出肺癌时,健怀舅妈专门从新泽西州坐火车到纽约陪我去见医生,我肺癌手术前,彭大哥开车送我去医院,手术后,健怀舅妈和彭世弘大哥把我接到健怀舅舅,舅妈在新泽西的家住了两周。健怀舅妈精心准备营养餐,使我很快的恢复健康。Brian还专门订购鲜花送给我,祝我手术成功。

我在手术恢复期间,国内母亲生病,不得不回国一趟。彭大哥以一己之力,帮我搬家。楼上楼下跑了不知多少趟。我回美国,彭大哥去机场接我到他家小住,彭大嫂做美味的菜肴给我吃。每次我回中国,彭大哥都开车带我去Costco采购。有时彭大哥开车带我去唐人街买米,买菜,还送我回家,...。

我回中国曾经在北京,上海分别见到Eugene,我们相谈甚欢。

我去加拿大,健怀舅妈帮我接收美国的重要信件。健怀舅妈还常常用微信和我分享有趣的视频,她也经常打电话关心我。

许多健怀舅舅,舅妈,彭世弘等人对我的帮助,不能一一道来。我要借此机会谢谢所有帮助过我的人。

我没想到健怀舅妈刚刚搬到新公寓就去世了。至今健怀舅妈的声音还常在我的耳边响起。健怀舅妈的去世,不仅对健怀舅舅一家是个极大的损失,对所有认识她的人,所有受过健怀舅妈帮助的人,都是巨大的损失。

健怀舅妈有着非常善良的心。她非常尊重人,从不对人指手画脚,批评这不对那不对。健怀舅妈总是耐心听别人的讲话,她那友善的语言,让人觉得非常温暖。健怀舅妈有着非凡的人格魅力,她把各种性格,不同信仰的人团结在她的周围,引发出他们人性中美好的一面,创造出和谐的氛围。和健怀舅妈在一起,会让人觉得很放松,愉快。

我非常有幸在我的生命中遇到健怀舅妈。

谢谢你,健怀舅妈,你会一直活在我的心里。"

Thank you Josephine Yeh for the following...

"Terry and I moved to Holmdel, Monmouth County, NJ in 1972 and soon, met our fellow Chinese Bell Labbers and their families. When our children were still young, we organized a picnic in Holmdel Park near the tennis courts, with each family contributing something. Irene complimented me on choosing an extra sweet watermelon, a few phrases that made me feel good and is my earliest memory of how Irene treats people.

Coincidentally, we graduated from the same college ( Barnard College of Columbia University), but years apart, so it was in New Jersey that I got to know how wonderful Irene and Jay and their three children, Olivia, Eugene, and Brian are.

Our children went to Chinese school which was held at that time in Lincroft Bible Church, Lincroft, NJ. While the kids were in class one day, I heard the most heavenly sound from the church and I saw that it was Irene playing the piano = Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu Op 66. I knew that she taught piano but this was a Concert Pianist performing!

Irene was crucial in finding a housekeeper for me. In 2018, Terry was hospitalized at Riverview Hospital when he had two cardiac arrests and spent time in the ICU. After discharge, I needed extra help and called Irene in CA. She referred one of her ESL students to me. Zita was terrific and worked for me for two years when we decided to move to California.

In CA, Irene was generous, kind and encouraged me in getting my CA Driver’s License. She gave us strong moral support as we went through the trials and tribulations of preparing our Holmdel home to sell, and finally sold in June of this year.

I miss Irene’s compassion, graciousness, her intuitive ability to read people, her way of inspiring and encouraging people to be their best. Thank you, Irene, for the wonderful memories."

Irene Hsu and Josephine Yeh
2022, Jay & Irene's Union City Apartment Complex
Irene Hsu and Josephine Yeh
Left >Right: Terry Yeh, Da…
2022, Jay & Irene's Union City Apartment Complex
Left >Right: Terry Yeh, David Chai, Florence Chang, Josephine Yeh, Irene Hsu, Jay Hsu, Audrey Chai. Luncheon with old friends
From Josephine Yeh,
2019
From Josephine Yeh, "I found this photo of us at dinner on July 21, 2019. What is sad is that the two dear friends at both ends have passed."

I still remember seeing Irene and Jay walking into our building the day of their move in- we all were new move ins and looking to connect and know each other.

One day, we finally bumped into Irene, Jay, Eugene and Kerri in the swimming pool area of our clubhouse and introduced ourselves. Thats when Irene said, she is retired and I said I am so jealous of her- she said “life passes by very quickly, so never wish for it to fast forward and enjoy the present to the fullest ” this is the first ever memory of Irene that stuck with me!

She was so outgoing and full of life’s experiences!

Then we kept talking to each other for our buildings’ meet and greet- she was such an enthusiastic person that she went all by herself to get the name tags for the entire building residents. 

Post this one day, she came to my home to see the window screens and that’s when we had a chance to sit down and chat. I can’t forget the Lychees that she got for my family and the conversation that we had starting from health to music to immigrant life in the USA and her kids - my 10 year old daughter was equally engrossed in chatting with Irene- she was someone who could engage a kid as well as an adult like me in her interesting stories.

And that’s it- one day she was gone! I still can’t believe I chatted with her on WhatsApp at 10 pm and the next day she was gone:(

Few meetings with Irene and we just clicked sooo well with each other. 

I don’t believe in gods coz I have never seen/ met them in real- don’t even know if they exist. But for me and my family, gods are those who we live to hang out with and who live to hang out with us- Irene was one of these people (I can call her one of my favorite God)

A lovely, full of life, bold and a strong lady- that’s Irene for me and my family! Miss  seeing you and chatting with you Irene. Rest in Peace!

Loads of love,

Peach, Niks and Sophia!

Please accept our condolences as we remember her:  Irene has a noble heart.  Her kindness will be remembered by all of us. 
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In honor roll of today beauti…
In honor roll of today beautiful piano performance and in tribute to her favorite song
Dearest Hsu Family, what a beautiful life story! Irene was a beautiful soul. She had so much joy in her life and was so optimistic! I was truly blessed to have known her. I loved every other Wednesday when I saw her. She made my day with sharing the love of classical music, reminiscing about the East coast, the care of Orchids, and sharing the common interest in Holistic health care. Irene would surprise me with little tokens of appreciation. To name a few: a Chinese melon, a mild sweetness and she insisted to eat before it got soft! A  bag of  Chinese pussy willow bud tea for congestion phlegm or Allergies. " I still have not tried yet, but I have it for when I do get sick!" And the beloved annual Christmas basket that my family and I enjoyed . There are so many memories over the past  years that I will hold treasure. Irene will always be in my heart. May you all have peace.
I was deeply moved and sad to learn of Irene's passing. My sincere condolences to her loving family and many friends.
Piano recital in June
1996
Piano recital in June
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I’m deeply sad learning of Irene’s passing.  May her memory be cherished by everyone who knew her!
It is hard to imagine that Irene is no longer with us. In my memories of childhood, she was the fun auntie, always driving us to the pool or to play tennis. I was lucky enough to see her several months ago after many years. The sparkle in her eye and her smile were just the same as I remembered. She was such a good friend to our family, and we will miss her.

We met Irene and Jay in Morris County, New Jersey.  It just happened that we lived on the same street in Randolph Township.  Our two families then moved to Monmouth County,  and later to the state of California.  We had many fun times together with our children around.  Irene was a great organizer for social  gatherings of friends, and her daughter Olivier was also a leader among her peers.  We treasure the years of our growing older and feel a great loss at her passing.  Irene, take good care of yourself. You are in our heart and our mind, ...

Patricia and Tien-Lin Ho

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I still cannot believe Irene left us just like that. She and I were just exchanging email on July 25th when she told me she and Jay had just celebrated their 88th & 87th birthday and both of them were doing well without major medical. 

Being such a caring friend, Irene wrote me every year since they moved out to CA. She always asked me about my family - especially the two boys, one of whom was her piano student,  my work, and my life in general,  and she always asked when I would come out to visit. She said she would block out time and travel to SF to meet up with us. I am so so sorry I didn't make the trip in time.  

I have the beautiful bone china cup that Irene gave me before she  moved to CA. It has been my most previous tea cup and will forever be a reminder of all the fond memories we shared over the years in Holmdel, NJ. I miss you Irene!

Chuni Li

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