Maria Liu

My mother, Maria Liu (“Popo” to her grandchildren), died on July 15, 2022, and now rests in peace with Our Father. Although her health had deteriorated by age 86, her death was so unexpected that I feel I must do something so that others can learn more about her brave story. Always gentle and gracious, my mother was a friend to many yet few knew her life story.

My mother was born in China where, as a little girl, she experienced the horrors of WWII and the Nanjing Massacre by the Japanese. She and her parents fled to Taiwan during the Chinese civil war – a war between the factions of Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek.

Living in Taiwan, she married my father who loved her and spoiled her for 19 blissful years. At his unexpected death following a stroke, she suddenly became a single mother. It wasn't easy being a widow with five children in conservative Chinese society! Still, she did her best to raise all of us.

She moved to Los Angeles in 1997 and stayed here ever since. We lived together for these last 26 years, and I miss her every day! She got to know my many friends from around the world, and they became very fond of her. They often spoke to her on the phone or invited us to lunch or dinner.

In addition to the fond memories shared by all who knew her, my mother leaves behind a charitable legacy with St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital. Her concern for the love and care of sick children motivated her to send a $50 check every month for 17 years. I’m certain that her donation blessed many people—many who never knew her. For those who did know her, she will never be forgotten.

I'm grateful for your help in covering her funeral expenses. She would be so touched to know you cared so.

With love,

Thérèse