Obituary for Beatrice "Bea" Ho Chan
Beatrice Ho Chan passed away peacefully on April 21, 2021 at the age of 84, surrounded by her loving family.
Bea was born on June 10, 1936 in Shanghai China. She left home courageously at age 10 to attend boarding school in England, and then graduated from Barnard College with a degree in Chemistry. Bea was a cancer researcher at Sloan Kettering in New York, and then ran the local high school chemistry program for many decades after settling down to raise a family with Walter, the love of her life for over 60 years.
Bea’s favorite place was the kitchen. She was an excellent Chinese cook, adored by her four grandchildren for her legendary “Haw-Bu’s noodles.” She was an avid investor, master bridge player, ballroom dancer, and world traveler, visiting all seven continents with Walter. She was brilliant and girlishly silly at the same time. With her loquacious charm, she was the consummate hostess and found great joy hosting grand parties in her retirement community.
Bea is survived by her husband Walter, two daughters, Mina Baum (Steven) of Shrewsbury MA and Jennifer Burgos (Jeffrey) of Belmont CA, and grandchildren Kimberly and Jeffrey Baum and Zachary and Matthew Burgos.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. A celebration of life is planned to be held in California at a later date to be determined.
Bea was born on June 10, 1936 in Shanghai China. She left home courageously at age 10 to attend boarding school in England, and then graduated from Barnard College with a degree in Chemistry. Bea was a cancer researcher at Sloan Kettering in New York, and then ran the local high school chemistry program for many decades after settling down to raise a family with Walter, the love of her life for over 60 years.
Bea’s favorite place was the kitchen. She was an excellent Chinese cook, adored by her four grandchildren for her legendary “Haw-Bu’s noodles.” She was an avid investor, master bridge player, ballroom dancer, and world traveler, visiting all seven continents with Walter. She was brilliant and girlishly silly at the same time. With her loquacious charm, she was the consummate hostess and found great joy hosting grand parties in her retirement community.
Bea is survived by her husband Walter, two daughters, Mina Baum (Steven) of Shrewsbury MA and Jennifer Burgos (Jeffrey) of Belmont CA, and grandchildren Kimberly and Jeffrey Baum and Zachary and Matthew Burgos.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. A celebration of life is planned to be held in California at a later date to be determined.