Obituary of Shuyao Yu

On November 25, 2019 evening, 余淑尧, Shuyao Yu, a dedicated family matriarch, passed away in the hospital surrounded by family.

Shuyao was born on November 15, 1941 and spent most of her life in Chengdu, China. She was known as “四姐” (“Fourth Sister”) to her five siblings. In 1961, she married Zhong Shihua. They raised two daughters, Ming Xiu and Mingli, and one son, Zhong Je.

Shuyao lived through the Great Chinese Famine and Culture Revolution during the 1950’s through the 1970's. She worked as an accountant at a food distribution company in Chengdu. After retirement, in 1998, she immigrated to America to help raise her granddaughters, Xiao Weldon (nee Huang) and Janice Huang. She naturalized as an American citizen in 2009 and converted to Christianity.

Shuyao was a fiercely independent woman. She proudly took care of her husband and family. She blessed her family with boundless love and sacrifices. Even with limited English, she made many friends within her community in Central New Jersey.

Shuyao Yu was predeceased by Hong Yu (father), Shu Xian Zhang (mother), Shu Ying Yu (sister), Shu Rong Yu (sister), and Ke Ming Yu (brother). She is survived by her husband, children, grandchildren, and grandchildren living in China, Meng Yang Zhang and Xiang Zhong.

Service will be held at Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 at 11:00 a.m. followed by a burial at Elmwood Cemetery at 425 Georges Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08902 on November 30.  A memorial gathering will be held at the funeral home beginning one hour prior to the service.