Wan-Ming Wu Christine

Christine Wan-Ming Wu December 25, 1929 - March 30, 2022 Christine Wan-Ming Wu, a wonderful mother, doctor, and human being, passed away peacefully, after some years of cancer, on March 30, 2022, in Long Beach, California, at the age of 92. She had a long and productive life, filled with love and laughter, and many achievements. She was multifaceted like a gemstone: daughter of the Wu scientific family, Christian, musician, homemaker, painter, cook, gardener, helper of charities, and more. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, biochemists Dr. Hsien Wu and Daisy Yen Wu, and by three elder siblings, Evelyn, Dorothea, and Ray. Her younger brother Victor (currently of Suwanee, Georgia) survives her. She was born in Peking, China in 1929, on Christmas Day, hence her name, "Christine". She suffered from polio, having to use an iron lung device for several months. Her family moved to the United States in 1949. She went to the University of Alabama, was graduated in 1951, and then went to Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, receiving an M.D. degree in 1955, and completed a fellowship at Yale Medical School. She married Dr. William F. Boyle (RIP) in 1960, and had two sons, Joseph in 1961 (currently of Oakland, California), and David in 1966 (currently of Long Beach). The family moved from Philadelphia to Taiwan, and she lived there from 1969- 1971, and then San Jose, California (1971), Claremont (1972-1984), and Long Beach (1984-2022). A board-certified radiologist, she was a visiting professor at the University of California at Irvine, and worked at the Loma Linda University Medical Center and then the Long Beach Veterans Administration Medical Center. At the latter, she rose to be Chief of the Radiology Department, retiring in 1999. Her mind stayed active and she kept up with world affairs, traveled abroad, and corresponded with many people frequently. While a dignified person, she often had a hilarious sense of humor, and even learned to do magic tricks at a "Senior University" course. She made her residence in Long Beach a charming and delightful place, with some of her own paintings (of picturesque flowers and plants), various beautiful items and objets d'art from China and elsewhere, and quite a few well-loved green plants and stuffed animals. Numerous people commented over the years about her lovely manners and elegant style. Indubitably, she made life a more lovely experience for those around her. Moreover, her helpfulness and generosity to her children and to countless charities, is an example that encourages others to show kindness. She showed courage and determination throughout her life, including dealing with the challenges of polio, the iron lung, and cancer. She was also a trailblazer as a woman doctor, since female physicians were far more rare 67 years ago. She lived a wonderful life that bridged two continents, and even two millennia. A Catholic interment service was held in Boston at her family plot in July, and a West Coast memorial service will take place next year. Prayers are always appreciated. Donations in her memory may be made to the Medical Mission Sisters, 8400 Pine Road, Philadelphia, PA 19111, or Smile Train, PO Box 96231, Washington, DC 20090. In this month of December and the Christmas season, one can rejoice at what a wonderful "Christmas gift" Dr. Christine Wu was to her family and the world. May all the loving memories she left be a comfort and inspiration until we see her again.