Bingzhen Zhang's Obituary
Bingzhen “Sally" Zhang (1955-2025) passed away
after a valiant battle with cancer at Stanford
Hospital on Wednesday, March 5, 2025.
Born in Shanghai, China, Sally went through
elementary school and high school with an excellent
performance, which paved the way for her
admission to Fudan University, widely known as the
“Yale of China.” After completing her BA in English,
she was chosen to join the faculty. It was a longstanding practice among top Chinese institutions of
high education to retain their best students. After
marrying the love of her life, Aiping Zhang, both a
classmate and a colleague in the English
Department, she switched her career from teaching
to international trade and joined her husband in
America in 1986. She later went back to school,
earned her MBA from California State University,
Chico in 2001, and ran the ID Card Office there until
her retirement.
Unselfish, dedicated and tenacious, Sally was
always willing to make sacrifices for her family. Over
the years, she seamlessly blended her roles as
supportive wife, nurturing mother, and IT
professional. Kind, caring, and generous, she
treated her friends and colleagues with respect and
sincerity. She had an uncanny ability to reach
people in a deep and positive way through
conversation and hosting dinner parties at home.
She was loved by many for her generous spirit,
pleasant personality, and culinary skill.
When she wasn’t doting over her grandchildren,
Sally enjoyed music, travel, fine dining, reading,
gardening, and knitting. She will be remembered by
all those whose lives she touched for her laughter,
sense of style, and passion for life.
Sally is survived by her husband, Aiping Zhang; son,
Jimmy Zhang; daughter-in-law, Vicky Wen; two
granddaughters, Claire and Chloe; her brother,
Bingsen Zhang; her sister, Bingmei, Zhang. A
funeral service is scheduled at Skylawn Memorial
Park at 12:00 pm, Saturday, March 15, 2025
What’s your fondest memory of Bingzhen?
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Share a story where Bingzhen's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Bingzhen you’ll never forget.
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