Diana Wu Obituary

Diana Ting Wu

December 24, 1936 - May 22, 2014

Diana Ting Wu passed peacefully on May 22, 2014 with her family at her side.

Born in Shanghai in 1936, Diana spent her early years there until her family fled to Hong Kong during World War II. This move was the first of several migrations, culminating with her journey to the United States in 1958.

It was in New York City that Diana earned an MBA from New York University and met her husband, George Wu. The newlyweds moved to the Bay Area, where Diana worked as an accountant and later earned a doctorate in organizational psychology from The Wright Institute.

Having taught at Saint Mary's College for over three decades, Diana was Professor Emeritus in the School of Business Administration and a member of the Board of Regents. Her field of expertise encompassed all aspects of business management with special interests in organizational psychology, international business and China. Her accomplishments included the publication of the ground breaking textbook 'Asian Pacific Americans in the Workplace' and her tenure as chair of the Business Administration Department, the first woman and minority in that role.

While her achievements in the field of education resulted in many awards and accolades, her greatest reward was being able to help others realize their potential and to achieve their dreams. Diana was a kind and caring person who touched the lives of everyone around her. She will be missed and never forgotten.

Besides her husband of fifty-four years, George, she is survived by her children Gloria, Greta and Daniel, son-in-law Andrew, daughter-in-law Lisa, grandchildren Sean, Quinn, Kira, Cedar and Raven, sister Holly and brother William.

Memorial services will be held on June 15, 2014 at 1 pm in the Saint Mary's College of California Chapel, 1928 St. Mary's Rd, Moraga CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations to be used for student scholarships are greatly appreciated and may be made to: Saint Mary's College, In Memory of Diana Wu, P.O. Box 4300, Moraga, CA 94575.
Please check https://www.facebook.com/dianat.wu for any updates.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from May 31 to Jun. 1, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Diana Wu

5 Entries

Tom Brown

June 13, 2014

When Diana first came to Saint Mary's, it was evident that she would be a gift to the students she would eventually teach and advise over the many years she served the College. Diana set high standards and worked tirelessly to help students achieve their full potential. She provided mentoring and guidance for so many who never would have made it without her.

I especially remember a student from Hong Kong who had very little confidence when he arrived, due to the fierce competitiveness of his previous education system. The young man was a "conditional admit," which meant he had to prove himself before becoming a fulltime undergraduate. With Diana walking in front of him, then beside him and eventually behind him, that he came to commencement as the top graduate in the School of Economics and Business Administration.

I also knew Diana to be a loving partner to her husband, George. I recall their elegance and grace at many college events, and my wife, Nushi, and I felt honored to be guests in their homes. Diana once was concerned that US exhaust fans were not adequate for her wok cooking. After a kitchen remodel, she proudly showed off her new system, which literally sucked up a heavy pot top when held a few inches away!

Diana was so proud of her children. I met their son Daniel when he was quite young, and when it came time for him to go away to college, Diana and George were thrilled that he wanted to pursue engineering or architecture. Daniel completed his studies; however, a visit to his sister in Hong Kong one year took him in an entirely different direction—he became a movie star! Diana would share her pride at their being unable to walk through the streets of her childhood Hong Kong without being besieged by fans and admirers!

What a good, loving, caring and powerful woman was Diana Ting Wu. An excellent scholar, teacher, advisor, colleague, and friend. I will miss her, but her memory will live on in all those whose lives she touched.

June 9, 2014

What a pleasure it was to work with Diana Wu for ten years! What an outstanding teacher she was; she really loved her students and they loved her back.

Arline and I will always remember our trip to China with Diana in 1988 for an international economic conference and the tour which followed. What an amazing experience she provided for us.

It was an honor and a pleasure to know her and to be her friend.
Mike Walter

Jan and Leo Wang/Ling

May 30, 2014

Diana, no, for me, you are Tingting. The name I have always used for 64 years, ever since we lived in the same house, went to the same school in HK, then, later in Taipei, and after we met again in the States. We had, then, our families, and our work. You were an admired scholar, intelligent, thoughtful, loving, kind and beautiful as ever. Yes, how very true! Our parents were friends. Especially our mothers. They went to the same school, as well, but in Suzhou. You came to see my mom in Seattle, and I went to visit your mother with you. We all laughed heartily, and talked in the dialect of Suzhou/Shanghai. How often we exchanged information about our children and grandchildren. We were determined to share our lives as our hair became like silver or snow... Tingting - which means in Chinese: elegant and slender... Yes, how very true! You become a part of my life, not just a part of my memory.

Leo and I send our condolences to George and all the beloved ones
of Tingting. Wang Jue

May 27, 2014

Diana Wu is considered one of the significant contributors to the early years of John F. Kennedy University. She was a brilliant woman who was willing to invest her time, her wisdom, her innovative ideas, and her passion into building a cutting-edge educational program for lifelong learners.

We are deeply grateful to both Diana and George who became an integral part of the JFKU family alongside their good friend, Bob Fisher, the University's second president.
The number of adult students who have been touched by Diana's contribution is beyond measure.

So many have been blessed, combined with innumerable students at St. Mary's College, by Diana's open heart and belief in the power of education to change lives. It was a joy to see her at the University's 50th Anniversary Founders Luncheon in February and to recognize her continued vigor and interest in accessible education.

"Our twin goals must be: a new standard of excellence in education - and the availability of such excellence to all who are willing and able to pursue it."
President John F. Kennedy - February 20, 1961

It is with heartfelt sadness that our University leadership, faculty, students, and alumni remember Diana Wu and send condolences to the Wu family.

Dr. Mac Powell
President
John F. Kennedy University

Katherine Chang Liu

May 26, 2014

Diana was our cousin, she was one of the kindest and most gracious person we knew. She was considerate, thoughtful and generous. She always put others before herself.

When I fist came to UC Berkeley from Taiwan, I had a full scholarship. But I didn't know everything was on a pay-first-then-reimburse policy, so my parents didn't send me with enough cash on me. That was back in 1963. And back then the only way to get funds sent to the US had to be done through slow transfers via Telegram.

I had just met Diana and George the week before, Diana was my then fiancé's (now husband) cousin. I knew no one else in Berkeley, and I was stuck. Diana and George told me not to worry, they told me they would drive over with enough cash to give me some to spare. And they came within hours.

That act of kindness was so memorable, they became role models for me to learn to "pay forward" ever since. Now 50 years later, Diana continued to set examples for all women. When we exchanged information through email, I was made aware that she continued to make positive differences in her students and friends' lives.

We will so miss you, Diana. But you live on in our hearts. And your exemplary life will continue to influence all of us.

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