In Memoriam: Frances Liang Chu

January 1, 1930 - July 21, 2020

"Frances was an exemplary Rotarian and a pioneering woman in our organization.  We will all miss her.  May she rest in peace after a life well lived." District Governor Mary Shackleton expresses her sorrow and condolences to Frances' family, including her extended Rotary family, and many friends. 
 
In Memoriam: Frances Liang Chu, Obituary written by Rod Chu
 
A Letter from Eric Lebenson:
Good afternoon, all - 

I am sorry to have to share the sad news that Frances Chu passed away yesterday morning. Her son Rod and I exchanged emails and then talked at length last night, and Frances had Rod and his sister Laura by her side, and they were also able to FaceTime with other family members so that they all could say goodbye.  Frances had turned 90 on New Year's Day.
 
Frances Chu was an exemplary person and Rotarian, having been in three different Clubs (Chinatown, Elmsford, and Briarcliff) in her almost thirty years of Rotary membership, and she held many, many Club and District Offices along the way.  She was known throughout the District and Rotary International as a kind soul - but one who certainly got things done!  
 
She became the world’s first female Rotary Club president – of the Chinatown NY Rotary – the first year after Rotary International had opened its membership to women. Her fellow Rotarians had been so impressed with her success in fundraising efforts that they quickly elected her president. (Since Chinatown Rotary’s bylaws were grandfathered from having been spun-off from the NYC Rotary Club, that club did not have to abide by the Rotary International bylaws requirement that chapter presidents be a Rotary member for 7 years before being elected.)

In years following, when she moved to the Elmsford and Briarcliff Manor Rotary Clubs after her retirement from work, she was elected to her Rotary District’s Foundation Board, on which she served many years before her stepping down from Rotary. During that time, she was recognized by Rotary International with their highest honor: the distinguished Service Above Self Award, granted to no more than 150 Rotarians worldwide – a “Prestigious award for Rotarians who demonstrate their commitment to helping others by volunteering their time and talents."
 
Rod says, "We can all be thankful that our Mom has been with us for 90 ½ years. Those years have been rich and extraordinary ones for her, her family, and her many friends and colleagues.  Of course, we are distraught that she will no longer be with us but are comforted to know that she is at peace."
 
I leave you with something I found online...As many of you remember, Frances had a Blog, a lot of which was about Rotary...God Bless her, an 80+ year old with a Blog!! (Make sure to read the fine print): http://franceschusblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/rotary-invocation-that-i-wrote-on.html 
 
I will remember talking with her over the years about Rotary, but even more so about her family who she loved so dearly. 
 
Warmest Regards,
Eric