Hsu Ming Chou

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Hsu Ming Chou, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, on March 15, 2025. She was 91 years old and passed away peacefully at her son Henry, and partner Lydia's home in Moorestown, NJ. Ming was born on December 28, 1933, in Hankow, China. Her parents were Yuan-Chuan Hsu and Sue-Chen Han, and she was the eldest of six siblings, with four brothers and one sister. Ming’s journey was one of resilience, achievement, and passion. Her family fled to Taiwan in 1949, and she later moved to the United States to pursue her education. Ming made history as one of the first Chinese students to enroll at Rockford College in Illinois. She later graduated from Milton College, Wisconsin. From childhood, she developed a deep love for Chinese opera, a passion that continued and defined much of her life. Ming became the star of several performances in New York City and other performance centers in the East Coast, where she captivated audiences with her talent and grace. For several decades, she and her former husband, Richard Che-Chang Chou, were active members of the New York City Chinese Opera Club, contributing to the rich cultural landscape of the city. In her personal life, Ming married Richard in 1958, in Chicago, and together, they built a life in Willingboro, NJ, where they raised their three children. As a mother and a daughter, Ming was devoted and loving. She cared for her mother who resided with the family in Willingboro for many years. She was also a proud and doting grandmother to Henry Chou Jr., Jake McCool, Chase McCool, and Savannah McCool, as well as a great-grandmother to Henry Chou III. Ming was predeceased by her parents and her former husband, Richard, who passed away on June 16, 2022. She is survived by her children, Henry Chou, Jerry Chou and Karol McCool, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, who will forever remember her as a source of love, wisdom, and inspiration. Ming’s legacy lives on through her family and the countless lives she touched. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. A private service will be held to honor her memory.