Obituary of Amy Po-Hwa Chan

CHAN, Amy Po-Hwa (84), passed on April 1, 2020. Born in Rangoon, Burma to Tiu, Hock Gwan and Wan, Po Gait, the sixth youngest of ten siblings. Amy is survived by her son, Kenneth Kian-Lip Chan, his wife Denise, two grandchildren Keilah Po-Pueh and Benaiah Wei-Xin, her sisters Joyce Po-Ho, Christine Po-Sio, Elizabeth Po-Po, brother Daniel Chi-Tiong Tiu, and many nephews and nieces. She was well cared for as a sister by close family friend Janet Yu in her later years following her stroke. Amy graduated from Chinese Methodist High School in Burma, and then initiated her medical school training. She later transferred to Arts and Sciences University of Rangoon-Burma Graduating with a BA, Political Science, and in 1963 became Acting Assistant Principle of Christ Methodist High School. Amy was a prayerful and active Christian mentoring many. Amy loved the Lord and served in various areas of Christian ministry for many years. She was involved in leadership with The Chinese Christ Methodist Youth Fellowship, was the choir director for The Chinese Christ Methodist Church, and continued to be active in church life even when arriving in the US. After a five-year process hindered by the Burmese Government, Amy immigrated to The US (California) in 1964 sponsored by the family of Jay & Carol Alumbaugh. She studied at Fuller Theological, but ultimately completed her studies as a Medical Technologist and worked at Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA. In 1971 Amy married Kim-Tun Hanson Chan, photographer and photo-composite technician, moving to West Harlem’s Claremont Avenue, NYC, before they finally relocated to Fort Lee, NJ in 1976. She was instrumental in managing Fort Lee Chinese Restaurant, and ultimately became a restaurateur opening Gourmet Orient in 1984 for 19 years and later Hwa-Kung, both in Fort Lee, thus pioneering the ground for Chinese Take-Outs in Fort Lee. Amy was a faithful wife caring for her husband even after his stroke, and advocated for him seeing the Passage of NJ law S-715 companion bill A-2036 resulting in “The Wheelchair Securement Act” on his behalf, after he died from a cervical fracture, the result of an unrestrained ambulette ride. Po-Hwa, our ‘Precious Glory’ will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She was a warm, loving, compassionate and caring woman who impacted many. Her simple kindness and dedication will be remembered as she now resides in The Glory of The Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14.