Alice Sen Chow's Obituary
Alice Sen Chow passed away peacefully at her home in Hillsborough, California on May 29, 2022. She was 93 years old. Alice was born on January 18, 1929 on Twitchell Island, a part of the Sacramento Delta. She enjoyed a happy childhood growing up on the ranch her father managed on Twitchell Island. Later in her youth, her family moved to Locke, a small Chinese community near the Sacramento River, where Alice lived until shortly after graduating from Courtland High School. In her early twenties, Alice moved to San Francisco where she trained to be, and became, a registered nurse at Saint Luke’s Hospital. Later in her life, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science from Chapman College. While working at Saint Luke’s, Alice was introduced to Calvin Chow, a pharmacist who worked at that hospital. They wed in San Francisco on September 30, 1956, and were happily married for decades. Alice was a devoted and loving daughter, sister, wife, and mother, and a loyal and caring friend to many. She was a warm-hearted and compassionate soul, who was always available to help, heal, console, guide, and inspire the members of her family, and her friends and neighbors. Her love for her husband and three children was unwavering and unconditional. Nothing was more important to her than their health and well-being. Alice loved to experience new places and cultures, and learn about psychology, nutrition, anatomy and physiology, and art history. She grew fragrant flowers and vegetables in her garden, and designed and decorated the interior of the house she and her husband had built. She was a wonderful cook, and served splendid meals to her family, and guests when she entertained. Alice also appreciated the simple pleasures in life, such as, a fresh cup of coffee, the warm company of her dog and cat, or the crisp air and natural light in the Bay Area on a sunny September afternoon. Alice was preceded in death by her father, Kwong Ah Sen, mother, Chan Shee Sen, three sisters, Lonnie Leong (San Jose, CA), Annie Lee (San Mateo, CA), and Edna Sen (Sacramento, CA), and her husband, Calvin C. M. Chow. She is survived by a brother, Harry Sen (Sacramento, CA), three sisters, Margaret Tom (Mountain View, CA), Violet Chan (Sacramento, CA), and Earlene Sen (Sacramento, CA), and her three sons, Mark Chow (Berkeley, CA), David Chow (Hillsborough, CA), and Edward Chow (San Francisco, CA). Those who had the good fortune of knowing Alice will miss, among other things, her warmth, generosity, thoughtfulness, and good humor. The funeral service for Alice took place on June 23, 2022 at Skylawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park in San Mateo, California.
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