Luo, Jiayu

Birth date: May 26, 1999 Death date: Mar 21, 2025

Services are pending with Lifemark Center at Skylawn Memori. Read Obituary

Stephanie Haft

19w ago

We (Stephanie Haft and Professor Qing Zhou) had the joy of mentoring Jennifer during her time as an undergraduate, where she completed an outstanding honors thesis in our lab. Jennifer received the prestigious Warren Brown Award due to her academic accomplishments in psychology, but what we remember most about her is her warmth, thoughtfulness, and leadership. She brought so much care and curiosity to her work in our lab with immigrant families - whether she was running research visits with families, mentoring younger research assistants, or diving into complex ideas in psychology. She was someone who made others feel at ease just by being herself. We learned a lot from watching how she approached people and research questions with gentleness and determination. It’s hard to put into words how much she meant to our lab community, and how deeply she’ll be missed.

-Stephanie Haft, Professor Qing Zhou

Lauren Pong

21w ago

I met Jennifer when we were both in ACE coaches volunteering to teach children in Chinatown academic enrichment lessons. From these experiences, I got to know Jennifer as a kind, patient 前辈, someone whose mature yet humorous energy was something I looked up to.

I have a cherished memory that encapsulates this feeling. It was during our friend Wendy’s birthday celebration. Me, Myrrha, and Jennifer sat on some sofas in a corner of the room, snacking on the party food and chatting about finals week. Suddenly, I noticed a food stain on my shirt. “Aw man, I used to have one of those tide pen stain thingies, but I haven’t gotten into the habit of carrying it around with me.“ Right as I finished saying this, Jennifer rummaged in her bag and whipped out something orange. It was a tide stain remover pen! Her smile was full of humor, and she handed it to me. We all laughed at the perfect timing. “Jennifer,” I told her, “I aspire to be someone as responsible as you. You really saved me this time!” Her reply was every bit the humble, responsible, and kind upperclassman I knew her as: “I always carry around one in case something like this happens. I’m glad I could help!”

This vivid memory with Jennifer is the one I always come back to when I make sure to bring something “just in case” while I’m outside. Her care and warmth have already made its mark in my life. Jennifer lives on in our many precious memories of her. I will always remember your deep altruism and unwavering compassion. Rest in peace, my friend!

Kasey Vo

23w ago

Jen was one of the warmest, most uplifting people I’ve ever known. No matter what she was going through, she always made others feel seen and supported. She constantly put others before herself, even in the smallest moments, like offering me snacks when she hadn’t eaten yet or patiently helping me with something I couldn’t undertsand in psych class. Jen’s kindness wasn’t loud, but it was constant and deeply felt. Some of my favorite memories with her were during the most random adventures - like hiking nearly a mile uphill, sweaty and laughing, just to take graduation photos. Those were the moments that truly captured her spirit: joyful, selfless, and always making the best of everything

Jessica Wu

23w ago

I believe in the invisible string theory, and I'm forever grateful that I had a tie to Jen.

I first met Jen when we were in middle school. I don't know how we became friends because I was the complete opposite of her. She was calm, cutesy, and so kind. I was rough around the edges, wearing basketball shorts and just loud. I think we started talking because of how tiny her handwriting was (haha) and how fun it was to call her "Jen-EYE-fer". We eventually kept talking and became a trio with Hannah. Sadly, all of us moved and I had lost contact because I deleted everything like Instagram (bad in hindsight I know).

Fast forward to college - I actually didn't know she went to Berkeley until a rare event happened. I just so happened to have crossed the exact same crosswalk that Hannah was crossing at the exact same time. What are the odds. We immediately recognized each other, and she told me Jen was also here. Boom! The trio was reunited again, this time at Berkeley - 6000+ miles from where we first became friends. We had so many fun hangouts at each other's place, cooking & eating with each other, girl talking, petting chinchillas, and just vibing with all the plants.

Jen - I miss you a lot and wish we could still hang and talk. But I can only hope that you're at peace now. I hope you're surrounded by the cutest and fluffiest of kittens and chinchillas, that the flowers are prettier than anything here, and that you have no more worry, burdens and pain. I promise to also look after Hannah too and will try to keep my plants alive as well as you did. If you can, visit me in my dreams sometime and let's catch up yeah?

Love, Jess

Alvin Chiem

23w ago

in honor of Jiayu.

Jen is easily the oldest friend that I made. I am so glad that I was able to stay in touch with her up until her unexpected passing. We had grown up together, and whether it was elementary, junior high, high school, or adventures together into adulthood - she was such a funny, generous, and gentle soul through and through. Writing this now, I revisited so many joyful, cherished memories. I never had an older sister, but I remember thinking multiple times as the years passed that Jen was the closest thing to that. I wish I got to tell her that.

My fondest memories with Jen were from after we had graduated high school, when we established a routine of running around Lake Elizabeth everyday. During those warm Summer days, I would stop by her home with my sister and together we would walk to the lake. As we ran (or I should say, walked - cut us some slack, it was hot haha), we would talk about life, goals for the future, whatever was on our mind, and just be plain silly together. And the best part - getting food together after! "R&R - ramen and run" as she used to affectionately call it.

Although life got busy, whenever we met up, it always felt like no time had passed and we could pick up right where we left off. It breaks my heart to know that we have lost her so early and unexpectedly. It's very clear to me how many lives she had touched and how much she meant to us all. Although cut short, I'm beyond thankful for the times we were able to share and for your friendship, Jen. When we meet again someday, let's go on another run together

A pale pink candle with a lit flame, surrounded by small white flowers and a purple bud against a soft pink background.

Anooshree Deshmukh

23w ago

in honor of Jiayu.

I first met Jen in August 2017, nearly 8 years ago, during the first week of classes at Ohlone. On the second day of school we had our first class for CHEM 101A. We sat near each other, but didn't talk. A few days later was the first meeting for AMSA, and as fate would have it, we wound up sitting next to each other because we recognized each other from CHEM 101A. I can't remember who started the conversation first, but I remember how impressed I was! Jen struck me as incredibly kind and genuine, traits of hers that continued to remain true many years later. We were both premed, and consequently had nearly all of the same classes at Ohlone. Jen was truly the foundation of my experience at Ohlone, as we spent almost every day studying, adventuring, and laughing together. Eventually, we both took up board positions for AMSA, with Jen being president for the 2018-2019 year. All the traits that make Jen so special translated seamlessly into her leadership abilities: her resolve, gentle command, and ability to spark joy made for a successful year for AMSA.

Jen and I continued to keep in touch and hang out after we transferred from Ohlone. From our adventure to the botanical gardens at UC Berkeley to going to the Museum of Ice Cream to spending NYE 2020 to going on walks and meeting at coffee shops, every single moment with her was well spent. I last met Jen in February 2025, a month before she passed. She had just conquered the MCAT and was getting ready to apply for med school. I was SO proud of her. We were finally going to be doctors together.

To Jen: I miss you in a way I didn't know was possible. Thank you for the memories and for being my friend. How lucky am I to have met you in this lifetime! Until we meet again ❤️

A serene illustration of a lit pastel green candle with a small white blossom and a three-leaf sprig resting at its base, set against a soft green background.

Sophia Tang

23w ago

Julia Koo

23w ago

in honor of Jiayu.

Jen was one of the brightest people I knew. While we didn't talk every day, Jen easily became someone I could talk and be around comfortably. Every conversation felt so warm and familiar. She was the older sister I wished I had growing up, someone that I could turn to whenever life was doing its thing, or simply just to gush about the latest acquired trinket or enabling each other to fall victim to capitalism. Even after a brief interview, my manager thought she was such a kind hearted and lovely person. Her impact was really something else, even to strangers who barely knew her.

Everything in my life is a constant reminder of her. I hope you're able to finally find peace and get plenty of rest, Jen. Love and miss you so, so much.

A lit white pillar candle with a soft glow beside a delicate white lily with green leaves on a pale beige background.

Sophia Tang

23w ago

Jen is the first friend I made in Berkeley. I still live in the apartment where we lived together for her last year in undergrad. I've always joked that I barely had to bring anything to the apartment myself because Jen had filled the place with everything you could possibly need before I'd even moved in. That's how I remember her, always so generous and well-prepared. She was just wonderful to be around and so easy to talk to.

There are still so many things of hers in my apartment—the plant she gave me, the bunny lamp she bought for the the entrance, the plushie I traded her for. I miss her and think of her often. I can't imagine how devastating her passing must be for her family, and you have my deepest, most heartfelt sympathies.

Christy Pradjinata

23w ago

in honor of Jiayu.

Jen has been nothing but kind to me for as long as I knew her. She was a great mentor and friend, and she’s part of the reason how I got to where I am today. I miss her dearly but I hope wherever she is now, she’s happy and free to do whatever she wants. I wish nothing but great happiness and love for her and for that to carry to all the people who care for her. Miss you Jen!!

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