Sau-Mei Peng (Wu) (彭吳掃眉) was a loving grandmother, mother, wife, sister and friend. Born in Taiwan in 1925 to her father Shih-Xiong Wu (吳世雄) and mother Ran-She Li Wu (吳李然瑟), Sau-Mei was one of three sisters, and five brothers. Sau-Mei’s father was a pharmacist in both Western and Chinese ancient medicine, and her mother was a diligent homemaker. Pharmacy became a hallmark career in the Wu family, as all of Sau-Mei’s five brothers became pharmacists. Although Sau-Mei did not pursue a career as a pharmacist, she studied at one of the most prominent high schools in Taipei, and became a Japanese school teacher. For women of her time in Taiwan, this was a great achievement.

Sau-Mei always played a vital role in the family, both at home and at work. She raised and educated five sons with her husband Yiin-Yin Peng, while managing the family pharmacy business. Together, they endured the misfortune of losing their second youngest son unexpectedly at the age of nine. After successfully raising her immediate family, Sau-Mei continued to help raise her many grandchildren in Taiwan. In 1986, she arrived in Canada to continue her tradition of help to raise her grandchildren in Toronto – Jamie and Gerald (彭澤明 & 彭澤龍). The current day success of Sau-Mei’s grandchildren is directly attributed to her devotion of education, discipline and love. From beginning to end, Sau-Mei’s life embodied kindness, support and generosity towards others.

Even before becoming a mother, Sau-Mei’s love for children was clear. As a young adult in Taiwan, she found her passion in life and became a Japanese Teacher. Nurturing and educating the young came very natural to her. In fact, it brought her so much joy that she became a babysitter for many families when she first arrived in Canada.  Sau-Mei had a remarkably gentle, calm and fun-loving personality.

To many who knew Sau-Mei at the church, she was known for her brilliant singing voice and her love for music. At a young age, Sau-Mei was destined for a prominent Japanese music school that recognized her exceptional talent. Although the war limited her ability to travel, putting Sau-Mei’s schooling on hold, this could not stop her from singing and sharing her beautiful voice with others as she sung in the church near her home in Taiwan. When Sau-Mei came to Canada, she continued to sing in the church choir, even when it became physically difficult for her to travel. Sau-Mei’s strong Presbyterian upbringing has always kept the church close to her, even if only in spirit. And she shared the Christian spirit and strong moral values among her siblings, children and grandchildren.

Sau-Mei truly appreciated the simple things in life, and was able to meet life’s challenges with ease and grace. Her strong resolve and ability to navigate the most challenging situations were key to her living 87 fruitful years across two different countries. Sau-Mei was consistently able to see the good in any situation, and was able to calm even the most frayed of nerves. She was a magnet for friends, often finding them in the most atypical of ways. Many people, both young and old, gravitated to Sau-Mei for her joyful personality and demeanour.

We are truly blessed to have had such an amazing person be part of our lives.  We will miss Sau-Mei dearly and she will live in our hearts forever.

Celebrate

Weep not for me though I am gone;
Into that gentle night.
Grieve if you will, but not for long,
Upon my soul’s sweet flight.

I am at peace, my soul’s at rest.
There is no need for tears.
For with your love I was so blessed;
For all those many years.

There is no pain, I suffer not,
The fear now all is gone.
Put now these things out of your thoughts.
In your memory I live on.

Remember not my fight for breath;
Remember not the strife.
Please do not dwell upon my death,
But celebrate my life.