Yu, Zuci (余祖慈), passed on January 7th, 2026 surrounded by loved ones.

Born on September 11, 1931, the daughter of Yu Tiehan (余鐵漢) of the Yu family of Taishan, Zuci came from a family whose fortune—built over generations from working in San Francisco—afforded her a rare opportunity in that era: an education. She made the most of this chance, earning her secondary degree in education from Guangzhou Changsha Normal School in 1951.

When given the chance to go abroad, her love for her students, neighbors, and family gave her the conviction to stay in China as the nation rebuilt itself. She dedicated herself to teaching, shaping young minds during a transformative period in her country's history.

She married her first husband, and together they were selected to teach at Beijing Secondary Training School—a recognition of their dedication to education. Tragically, her husband passed during an educational exchange program to the Soviet Union while she remained in Beijing.

She later remarried. Her second husband, as relatives in Beijing fondly recalled, loved her singing. They spent their remaining years together in Guangzhou as the nation entered a period of political and social turmoil, before he passed.

After years of raising her children alone through the revolution, she immigrated to Chicago with them in 1985, bringing her enduring love of community with her.

In Chinatown, she became an active member of the Chinese American Service League. She founded and served as chairperson of the Hilliard Towers Chinese Senior Residents Association for over 10 years. She also founded the Hilliard Towers Senior Singing Group, where her voice—so beloved by those who knew her—continued to bring people together. The group brought joy to seniors and performed at various local Chinese festivals.

Yu Zuci is survived by four children, twelve grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren. She was a loving, kind, and beautiful woman who lived fully until her final moments and will be forever remembered.

Visitation Tuesday, January 13th 9:30 a.m. until time of Funeral Service 11:30 am at Dalcamo Funeral Home. Cremation Oak Ridge Cemetery.

余祖慈生平

余祖慈女士於2026年1月7日在四個子女陪伴下安詳離世,享年94歲。

祖慈生於1931年9月11日,祖籍廣東台山縣。她成長在一個殷實而重視教育的家庭,自幼受到良好的薰陶與培養,養成了端正的人品與勤勉好學的品格。青年時期,她畢業於廣東省長沙師範學院,順利畢業後,成為一名備受尊敬的教師,在教書育人的崗位上展現出卓越的責任心與專業素養。

新中國成立後,響應國家分配,倆夫妻有調往北京搞建設工作,將青春與才華奉獻給國家建設。然而,隨著國家進入政治和社會動盪時期,她的人生也經歷了巨大的轉折。她返回廣州,專注於撫養她的四個孩子:子英、玲玲、少珏和子榮。

在最艱難的歲月裡,她的丈夫被下放到外地,家庭的重擔全部落在她一人肩上。身處物資匱乏、環境艱苦的年代,她獨自撫養幾個年幼的孩子,既要維持生計,又要照料家庭,還要為孩子們守住讀書與做人的根本。無數個艱辛的日夜,她以母親的堅韌與無私,默默支撐著這個家,把所有的苦都自己扛下。正是因為余祖慈的堅強與奉獻,孩子們才能在困頓的年代裡平安、健康地成長。

1980年代,祖慈移居美國芝加哥。她一生充滿愛心,將快樂帶給身邊的每一個人,給予許多人慰藉和歡樂。晚年她致力於照顧孫輩,並透過華人社區服務中心(Chinese American Service League)積極參與社區活動,組織和領導各種社區活動。她是喜來樂大廈華人老年居民協會的創辦人,擔任主席超過十年。她還組織了一個老年歌唱團,並在各種華人節日慶典上演出,為社區帶來歡樂。

余祖慈身後留下四個子女、十二個孫輩和七個曾孫輩。她用一生的忍耐、勤勞與愛,書寫了一位中國母親最樸實也最偉大的篇章。她是一位充滿愛心、善良美好的女性,將永遠被人們懷念。