Joan Pao-Hsu

Joan Pao-Hsu, MD

Resident of

Hillsborough and Cupertino

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Dr. Joan Pao on August 3, 2012- beloved mother, grandmother, friend and loving pediatrician to a generation of children at Kaiser, South San Francisco.

Joan was born May 25, 1920 in Yangzhou, China. She was a 33rd direct descendant of "Gung Pao" the Song Dynasty judge. She went to medical school in western China during the Japanese occupation in WWII. It was there that she met Henry En-Hung Hsu, then in the diplomatic school. They married in Nangking, China in 1946 at war's end, and came to San Francisco in 1948, where Henry was posted as the Vice Consul General from China. Henry passed away in 1987.

Learning English only after arriving in San Francisco, Joan achieved mastery to pass the Ca Medical Board exam, complete her residency in pediatrics then join Kaiser SSF in 1958, where she was one of the first four full-time pediatricians. Known as "mama" to many colleagues, she was known for her great smile, astute diagnostic abilities, and listening skills. She retired in 1981.

Joan is survived by her four children,- Charlene, Charlotte, Marian and Frank- seven grandchildren-Kimberly, Kristin, Alyssa, Emily, Michael, Harrison and Kaitlin-and extended family.

We will miss Joan's elegance, kindness, beautiful smile, and gentle manner.

A private family burial service is being held on August 10. Joan's Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 11 at 11 AM at the Fellowship Bible Church at 2710 Ralston Ave, Belmont. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Fellowship Bible Church.