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Funeral
Loving Memorial and Funeral Services
for Xiaoying Wu
Memorial service for Xiaoying Wu was held at Northwe st Chapel from
10 to 11 am on Thanksgiving Saturday with over 200 guests in attendance.
Present were Xiaoying's family members, relatives, friends, and former
co-workers, consuls from the consulate General of People's Republic
of China in New York, journalists from news media, representatives
from the Franklin University Office of the International Education,
OSU Department of Chemistry, OSU Office of International Education,
OSU Chinese Scholar and Student Society, Ohio Contemporary Chinese
School, and the Mid-West Chinese Science and Culture Association,
USA Chinese School Association, and the Cranbrook Elementary School.
Present were also people of various nationalities who, even without
knowing Xiaoying and her family, came to show their grief, concern,
and support.
After walking, viewing the casket and observing three-minute's meditation,
Pastor Robert Branch gave a touching prayer for Xiaoying and her family.
Following the prayer, Dr. Baocheng Pan, Xiaoying's husband, presented
a poignant eulogy for his loving wife of eight years. Xiaoying was
born in 1962 in Guangzhou. She graduated with a bachelor's degree
in Radio Engineering from Jinan University in 1983. She came to
the States in 1991 and graduated with a degree in Computer Science
from Franklin University in 1998. After graduation, she worked briefly
in the Franklin Data Center. In tears and choked words, Dr. Baocheng
Pan described what a tender wife, a loving mother, and a caring
daughter Xiaoying was.
On behalf of the Education Department of the Chinese Consulate
General in New York, Consul Yun Cai donated $300 and expressed his
deepest feeling of condolence for Xiaoying's family. "We vehemently
condemn the brutal criminal act committed by the murderer. We request
that the police severely punished the murderer according to the
law so that justice can be maintained and Xioying's soul can rest
in peace". He also requested that the US government take special
measures to ensure Chinese students' safety, and sincerely hoped
that we Chinese here are united.
Patrick Schumer, director of the Office of International Education
at Franklin University, shared his memory of Xiaoying. "What
stands out in my mind is Xiaoying's contagious smile. She had an
unique ability to make people feel comfortable". Patrick Schumer
also read some comments he collected from Xiaoying's former classmates
and professors, who remembered Xiaoying as "a warm nice person",
"always ready to help others", "always smiling",
and "a true A student".
Prof. Bruece Bursten, chair of OSU Department of Chemistry, extended
his profound condolence for Xiaoying's family not only as the department
chair but also as a husband, a father, and a child. "You are
not alone. You are part of our family. Your pain is our pain. Your
sadness is our sadness. And your grief is our grief".
On behalf of Ohio Contemporary Chinese School and the Mid-West Chinese
Science and Culture Association, Dr. Jian He, principal of the Chinese
School, showed her extreme grief for Xiaoying's tragedy. What the
tragic death of Xiaoying has left "for her husband is the grief
of losing his wife, for her son is the sadness of losing his beloved
mother, for her mother is the sorrow of losing her daughter, for
us is the shock and pain, and for this society is another thought-provoking
question". In tears, Dr. Jian He said, "I made a special
donation box for Zhenru last year. Today we use the same donation
box in the Chinese School for Xiaoying. I sincerely hope that this
is the last time we use it". Dr. Jian He presented $4300 collected
from the Chinese School to Dr. Baocheng Pan. Dr. Jianjun Wang, honorary
president of the USA Chinese School Association, and Xiandong Gao,
president of OSU Chinse Scholar and Student Society, also extended
their profound condolences for Xiaoying's family. "You are
not alone. You have so many brothers and sisters here". "Chinese
communities in the States are all behind you".
Five of Xiaoying's friends, coming from different parts of the
States, all in tears and great sorrow, shared their memories of
Xiaoying that deeply touched their lives. Xiaoying embodied some
of the great virtues of a Chinese woman: tenderness, kindness, diligence
and hard working. They still can remember how hard she tried to
improve her English and to master
computer science, which was a complete new area to her. They still
can remember the sweet taste of her meals. They still can remember
how beautiful she was when playing badminton, playing tennis, and
swimming in the pool. They still can remember how willing she was
to help others. They still can remember how sad she was when she
missed her son, who was back in China.
The memorial service for Xiaoying was ended with the benediction
addressed by Pastor Robert Branch.
After the memorial service, Xiaoying's casket was sent to Fernwood
Cemetery. With the police escort, the funeral procession consisted
of the hearse and fifty cars. The police saluted the funeral procession
at main crossroads.
The funeral service was brief and moving. After a prayer, Xiaoying's
casket was lowered into the grave. Each family member and relative
took a flower from the wreath and threw it into the grave as a final
gift to Xiaoying. All the participants took the small white flowers
from their coats and threw them into the grave as a final act of
farewell.
Xiaoying, your short life has touched so many people's hearts.
Xiaoying, may peace and happiness be with you!
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