Chin-Yu Ko Wu

Family and close friends attended a memorial service on May 30 to celebrate the life of Chinyu Ko Wu, 80, who passed away on May 28. Born in Hualien, on the scenic rural eastern coast of Taiwan, Chinyu grew up in challenging times during the Japanese occupation, World War II and the Chinese civil war. Despite the turbulence of the era, she found the focus to earn a degree in teaching, and fulfilled her aspiration to inspire learning and be a role model for youth — especially young women. Her teaching career spanned more than 40 years. Even in their adult life, many of her former students would visit her with their children and consult with “Teacher Ko.” In this traditional society, she encouraged young women to work hard and pursue an education. Chinyu emphasized the value of education and physical exercise to her students. Despite her modest economic means, she taught her students that leadership, service, generosity, philanthropy and sincerity in friendship can make a difference — no matter how subtle — to family, friends and society. In her later years, Chinyu and her beloved husband (Sou-Jung Wu, deceased 1994) joined their three daughters and grandchildren in the United States, making Corvallis their permanent residence. Chinyu’s presence around her grandchildren was precious. She also was blessed to make many good friends in the U.S. who, unsurprisingly, reflected the principles she practiced. As the years passed and the aches and pains associated with aging manifested, Chinyu stayed dedicated to the values of exercise, often walking several miles a day. Chinyu is survived by her elder daughter Yeamei Wu, son-in-law An-Loong Kok and granddaughters Cindy and Isabel in Irvine, Calif.; middle daughter Yeaching Wu, son-in-law Samuel Chan, granddaughter Teresa Chan and grandson Galen Chan in Corvallis; and younger daughter Chifeng Wu and son-in-law Douglas Love in Shoreline, Wash. The family expresses sincere thanks to Chinyu’s friends and extended family. We wish to thank the attentive staff at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center, Dr. Michael Chen at the Corvallis Clinic for his compassionate and skillful practice of medicine,

Tributes

Chin-Yu Ko Wu

October 5, 1932 - May 28, 2013