Catherine Yeh Wu
August 7, 1923 ~ November 28, 2019
Catherine Yeh Wu, 96, passed away while sleeping peacefully at home in Vienna, Virginia on November 28, 2019. Catherine was born on August 7, 1923, in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. She married Wenpei Wu in 1949 in Taipei, Taiwan. Wenpei preceded her in death in 2006. Catherine is survived by her children, Jay, Charles, Jean and Wen, and four grandchildren, Eric, Kristie, Annie and Emily.
Catherine earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics in 1947 from Jinling College, the first women’s college in China. This was considered a significant achievement for a Chinese woman at that time. Catherine moved to the U.S. in 1972 and lived in Northern Virginia until she passed away.
Catherine lived a rich and full life. She worked for the Chinese-American Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction in Taipei and the American Public Health Association in Washington, D.C. An accomplished artist, she specialized in traditional Chinese paintings of bamboo, landscapes and peonies. She had exhibits in Taiwan and Thailand, in various cities of the United States and in Paris. Her work was widely collected both privately and by museums such as the National Historical Museum in Taiepei and the Musée Cernuschi in Paris. Catherine’s other avocation was jewelry making. She was productive to the end, having finished an art exhibit just four days before she passed away.
For many years, Catherine enjoyed travelling the world. She loved good food and making new friends. She also enjoyed going to performances at the Wolf Trap National Park, near her home. Catherine was a faithful member of the Vienna Presbyterian Church. Catherine touched many lives, and she will be greatly missed.
Catherine earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics in 1947 from Jinling College, the first women’s college in China. This was considered a significant achievement for a Chinese woman at that time. Catherine moved to the U.S. in 1972 and lived in Northern Virginia until she passed away.
Catherine lived a rich and full life. She worked for the Chinese-American Joint Commission on Rural Reconstruction in Taipei and the American Public Health Association in Washington, D.C. An accomplished artist, she specialized in traditional Chinese paintings of bamboo, landscapes and peonies. She had exhibits in Taiwan and Thailand, in various cities of the United States and in Paris. Her work was widely collected both privately and by museums such as the National Historical Museum in Taiepei and the Musée Cernuschi in Paris. Catherine’s other avocation was jewelry making. She was productive to the end, having finished an art exhibit just four days before she passed away.
For many years, Catherine enjoyed travelling the world. She loved good food and making new friends. She also enjoyed going to performances at the Wolf Trap National Park, near her home. Catherine was a faithful member of the Vienna Presbyterian Church. Catherine touched many lives, and she will be greatly missed.
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We met Catherine through her art and enjoyed visits to have tea and talk about the meaning in her art and teachings. We’ve many pieces, but a special one is Coming Home. The image our now adult children have always seen when they walk in the front door. Warmest condolences to the family, a life well-lived.