Alice Chue Lew

Alice Chue Lew was born September 6, 1921 and grew up on the second floor of the Chinese Episcopal Sunshine Mission in Oakland, California. Her father died when Alice was only 7 and her mother, Min Yin Chue, raised her four children by teaching Chinese at the mission. Before immigrating to the United States Alice's parents were active participants in Sun Yet Sun's political movement. In her memoir written in 2004, Alice spoke of her mother's "strong, independent spirit." The same was true of Alice.

She was the younger sister of Ruth (Young), recently deceased, and Peter, the brother she adored. Peter died in the Merchant Marines during WWII. Throughout her life she enjoyed close, loving ties to younger sister Helen (Chun) and her family. While attending UC Berkeley Alice met and married Robert P. Lew, who became a dentist by profession and a fisherman by avocation. Always an adventurous cook, she transformed live striped bass into yummy Chinese banquet Faire! Daughters Judith and Sandra were born in Berkley. In 1952, the family moved to Campbell CA, where son Harold Kim was born in 1956. As the children grew, Alice pursued more education and became a librarian's assistant at San Jose College. She enjoyed her work and good friends there for 15 years.

Alice and Bob moved to Willow Glen in the mid seventies; then in 1981, Bob died. After she retired from the library in 1983, Alice took on Volunteer activities with the Chinese American Women's Club, the San Jose Art Museum, a women's shelter, and the Peninsula Nature Conservancy Organization. She particularly enjoyed travels to many countries with friends and family. Though she often followed the San Francisco 49ers, she was an even more avid Giants fan. We all celebrated the 2010 World Series win as a highlight in her life. Four years ago she moved to the Terraces in Los Gatos where she became an active member of that warm and welcoming community. She cherished friendships with many in the greater San Jose and San Francisco Bay areas, including beloved pals from UC Berkeley years, known to one another as "the hens", and others with whom she played bridge and mah jong, attended musical events and traveled the world.

Alice died unexpectedly in Los Gatos on January 7, 2011. In addition to her wide circle of friends, she will be remembered with love and affection by her children and their spouses (Judy and Hiram, Sandy and Harvey, Kim and Lynne); her grandchildren, Eric, Meredith, Lillian, Kevin and Natalie, and great-grandchild, Audrey; her sister and brother-in-law (Helen and Morrison), and her devoted nieces and nephews.

Donations in her honor may be sent to Amnesty International, KQED or your favorite charity. A Celebration of Life is planned for Alice at The Terraces of Los Gatos on Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. Guest book at limafamilyericksonmemorial.com

Arrangements under the direction of Lima Family Erickson Memorial Chapel, San Jose, CA.