Tributes

April 6, 2003 Memorial Service, San Francisco, CA
Professional Colleagues, RAMS Staff, Former Interns

Evelyn was always full of passion for our Cultural Competence work. We strived to make mental health services effective, competent, and truly relevant for California's multicultural communities . . . She touched me deeply, and I will always remember her energy, her smile, and her deep support for me.

I'll always remember your love and your support. We will all love you, forever!

Evelyn is truly a remarkable beautiful person. I never realized until now all the influences and tasks that she did for the community We'll truly miss her and cherish her memories.

It is rare to meet a person who is so clear on her purpose – to bridge people and ideas, to connect kindred spirits, and to lead by example of endless generosity. Her presence is here today, and for always.

I am a much more complete person today, and at peace with myself, because of knowing Evelyn. I know she will continue to live on in all of us who were touched by her.

My heart goes out to the family that Evelyn brought together in one place known as RAMS.

Her generosity is endless. She told me it is important to continue what I do not only for the Chinese community but also to continue to help Asian women. She has influenced my work tremendously, and I was very privileged to have learned and worked with this great woman.

Evelyn was a person of great wisdom, warmth, and personal integrity. She was always there for anyone who needed her.

Evelyn, you continue to accomplish much, but remained as youthful and energetic and enthusiastic and inspiring as ever.

While others would ask, 'Why?', Evelyn dared to ask, Why not?" Without a doubt, Evelyn was a master soul, who came here to do great work."

For a lady who always found the best in everyone, and continued to believe in what was possible - we'll miss your brilliance and humor.

I feel a deep personal loss – more than I've ever felt for a relative.

Evelyn, I promise with all my heart to let go and forgive. Thank you, Evelyn, for continuing to trust and guide me.

A compassionate smile, sweet springtime breezes, the lotus blooms proudly.

You were a great mentor to me. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by your magnetic personality, endless energy, genuine enthusiasm, and selfless compassion for people and communities.

A shining light, mentor, and friend. She is missed.

Evelyn, you have an amazing capacity to shower everyone with love and compassion. There is truly no one like you; you will always live in my heart and spirit.

Passion - Purity - Beauty. Evelyn, it's amazing how many people you have touched. You have any uncanny ability to make every person feel important and special. And, you were humble about it all.

I am so moved by the kindness and warmth you showed the interns at RAMS. I particularly treasured that one hour that I had with you in your office, where you imparted so much wisdom about working with clients; I will keep that perspective with me always.

Evelyn was a woman who did not have the words 'no,' 'it is not possible,' 'it cannot be done' in her vocabulary. You were a blessing in my life, and for that I will forever be grateful.

The seeds that Evelyn sowed will continue to grow and spread, bringing healing and beauty.

Evelyn has influenced the lives of many people who will remember with gratitude her generosity and kindness.

So many thoughts run through my head. The one that is most notable is how you told me 'I'm so proud of what you've done.' I will miss you –you were a formidable force with a gentle spirit.

I wish I could hug you one more time –to tell you how much I appreciated your sensitivity during my internship. Thank you for taking the time to speak to students at UC Berkeley's Colloquia series. You were dynamic and inspirational (as usual).

Evelyn –You will be missed. Your legacy will continue, the work is never done. You are the Michael Jordan of Mental Health –you did it all! I am honored and humble to have worked with you.

Evelyn –I wish to thank you for giving me the respect seldom afforded to those in my position. You had a relentless commitment to bridge language barriers. I will hold a special place in my heart as inspiration of what one person can accomplish.

You are my role model. In front of you, your friends, and relatives, I hereby make a vow to carry your humanistic spirit to 'care for your fellow human beings' with tireless devotion and dedication.

You showed us how much our hearts, minds, and spirit have potential and significance.

Evelyn made an indelible mark on me, as a mental health clinician. Now that I've seen her photography and experienced her aesthetic view of the world, I know her inspiration will continue to live on in others in multiple levels.

Your kindness and good work will stay forever in our memory and in our hearts.

How Evelyn has touched the lives of so many people is truly miraculous. But it was her humanity, her compassion, joy in life, and friendship that I will miss. What a teacher! What a leader!

Evelyn turned her life into magnificent fireworks for people. There is a famous Jewish folktale where in both heaven and hell, human beings sit at tables filled with wonderful foods, but they cannot bend their elbows. In hell, the people are perpetually starved, since they cannot bring the food to their mouths. In heaven, each person feeds his neighbor. Evelyn loved to feed people.

When I walked on the beach this past weekend, I felt your presence when I saw a beautiful, delicate, white butterfly which flew in from the ocean. You have always been an inspiration to me beyond belief. When I think of you, I look up to the sky and see blue, I see hope, happiness, and everything beautiful.

In Jungian analysis, a wild woman is one who offers guidance to young girls in their life journey. She is always fair, and possesses an irrepressible natural spirit dancing to the vibrant rhythm of life. Evelyn –you will always live in me as an inspirational wild woman, with your exuberant ways guiding me in my life journey.

After Evelyn's passing, I felt that her heart had burst into a million drops of light that spread all around like flower seeds –and landed in the hearts of all who knew her.

Evelyn is a dear friend, a universal spirit, a ball of energy, a visionary, a caregiver.

Evelyn –THANKS.

Family and Friends

Evelyn brought such an amazing presence into our lives. We will always remember her for her sense of beauty and style, and her infectious sense of humor.

When my pregnant daughter moved to the San Francisco Bay Area and did not know anybody, Evelyn gave her a baby shower –I'll never forget that sweet gesture.

Evelyn has been an inspiration, a never-stopping originator of new ideas, new ways of doing things, and of respecting where each of us comes from.

Evelyn was an inspiration to us. I will really miss her; her memory will remain –bright, funny, and irreverent.

You have touched our lives so gently, so deeply. You'll always be in our hearts.

Evelyn is a role model for me –I want to be more like her: compassionate, energetic, optimistic, mindful.

Auntie Evelyn –you were my most favorite auntie in the whole world. If you weren't alive, I think I will be missing something really important!

Auntie Evelyn inspired me to achieve academically, professionally, and personally. She was the kind auntie I could always depend on for strength and inspiration. I will miss her.

Auntie Evelyn, you mean a lot to me. You never forgot my birthday, and gave me anything I asked for. I had lots of happy days with you. Picnics and parties were always more beautiful when you were there.

Your photographs vividly illustrate you were able to observe the 3-dimensional world and find the highest degree of beauty and connectedness within. You went beyond, to the fifth through eighth dimensions, and to draw from those the energy residing within those deeper dimensions . . . and to bring out the compassion, caring, and connectedness from those sources to the benefit of all of humanity.

A touching, moving and very beautiful service today for a great lady.

Evelyn belongs to the Universe. She is the Ocean, and we are her Fish. She is Mother Earth, and we are her Children.