Ruth Shiu-Yee Chou

She was born on July 7, 1946 in Guangzhou, China to Wong Shu-Yan and Poon Wai-Hing. She was their fourth of seven children.

As a toddler, Ruth contracted rheumatic fever and was not expected to live. This affected her heart valves and led to lifelong health challenges. She strengthened her body by swimming in Hong Kong’s beaches and in her uncle’s pool, and pushed her mind to achieve academic excellence. She graduated from the prestigious academy Pui Ching in 1963 and belonged to the fourth graduating class of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Social Work in 1967. She came to faith in Jesus Christ in high school and sensed a calling on her life for ministry and family.

Ruth married Henry Tat-Hang Chou on June 15, 1968 in Columbia, SC while they were both in graduate studies at Columbia Bible College and Seminary after being college sweethearts in Hong Kong. Together they lived in Hong Kong; Toronto, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta; and Boulder, Colorado while raising four children.

Ruth was a beloved special education paraeducator in the Boulder Valley School District for over 20 years until her retirement in 2011. For decades, she served tirelessly and faithfully as a pastor’s wife and ministry partner at Calgary Chinese Evangelical Free Church and Boulder Chinese Evangelical Free Church, in pastoral and marriage counseling, fellowship and hospitality, and especially in children’s ministry, both teaching and training others to teach children.

She enjoyed her grandchildren, keeping in touch with family and friends, arts and crafts (origami, sewing/knitting), listening to audiobooks, reading her Bible, and writing personal notes of encouragement.

Ruth is survived by her husband Henry; her daughters Faith Yeung (Calvin) and Grace Chou (Jerome Hoberman); her sons Gabriel Chou (Chris) and Caleb Chou; her grandchildren Nathan Yeung, Melody Yeung, Deborah Chou, Lydia Chou, Renee Yeung, Isaac Chou, Elaina Chou, Maia Snider (David), Gabriela Hoberman (Jason Avigan); her great-grandchild Noam Snider; her brother Enoch Wong (Becky); her sister Faith Wong (John Thornberg); her sister-in-law Helen Deaver; and her nephews Thomas Tam and Solomon Wong.

A memorial service honoring Ruth’s life will be held on July 10, 2023 at 3:00 pm MT at Boulder Chinese Evangelical Free Church, 988 Delta Dr, Lafayette, CO 80026. In lieu of flowers, condolences and memorial gifts may be sent to Providential Missions Stewardship Foundation (2026 Alpine St. Longmont, CO 80504), established by Pastor Henry and Ruth to support missions endeavors sharing their values.

Cremation entrusted to Ahlberg Funeral Chapel and Crematory. Private burial at Foothills Gardens of Memory.