The wonderful stories and descriptions of Charlene are exactly what I experienced as well.  A vibrant, intelligent, creative and giving woman,  We soon became friends in 2000 here at the SCCOE. Charlene supported two large annual events for Human Resources, and I learned quickly that I could totally depend on her to deliver the best quality, best presentations and creative ideas. We often shared raising daughter stories and discussed relationships. She felt like a sister to me - we related on so many levels. 

She was a proud Mother and definitely raised three outstanding woman. I know they will guide Dylan as she would. Her husband, Lee, was such a charming compliment to Charlene's high energy. We enjoyed their company outside work often.

I miss her and will never forget Charlene's presence in my life. I know she's made such a positive influence on everyone she touched. My heartfelt wishes go out to her dear family.   Karen Bacica & John Hosking

I have known Charlene for nearly 15 years since she began her work at SCCOE. I agree with Dan that Charlene was the heart and soul of the Ridder Park campus. She was part of the larger SCCOE family and contributed to our success in serving our clients and community. I am extremely saddened over the loss of SCCOE’s beloved Charlene.

To Charlene's daughters... she was so proud of you and your accomplishments. I feel that I know you all because your mother would tell stories about you as you reached major milestones in your life.

To Charlene's husband... thank you for being such a wonderful husband and dad. Charlene was proud of the fact that you appreciated her preparing homemade food and she felt so much joy making you feel special in her life. She also told me that whenever you were on a business trip, you would call home and tell Dylan how much you love him. Charlene treasured your thoughtfulness and love.

To Dylan... know that your mother was so proud of you for speaking three languages: Chinese, English and Vietnamese. Your mother’s love and your memories of her will stay in your heart forever.

And to Charlene... I admired the work you did every day and your invaluable contributions to the big family at SCCOE. You created magical memories for many of my celebrations through your creativity and thoughtfulness. You did everything you could to make the event perfect. For the first A Look at Learning annual showcase, you prepared beautiful centerpieces accompanied with tablecloths and elegant food arrangements. Guests knew they received the red-carpet VIP treatment and they continued to share their positive comments with me even a year after the showcase. The success of the event was a result of your creativity, talent, and eye for details.

During a recent week-end annual event, Charlene and her team prepared tasty breakfasts and delicious lunches for 400 participants and, in addition, she stayed up all night and handmade coffee cakes and desserts for the participants which added to the specialness of the event.   Charlene and her team also prepared a special lunch for the presenters.  When I saw what was presented on the table, I could see the care and thoughtfulness she took to prepare and present the food. After I tasted it I once again realized how truly exceptional she was. I marveled, "How could she do so much and do it so well?" I could go on and on and give examples of how Charlene contributed to successes at SCCOE and what her kindness, positive energy and willingness meant to her friends and colleagues. I sincerely thank you for all you did for us.

My greatest condolences go to your family. Charlene's loving memory will remain in my heart forever!

This is a dear memory that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I dropped in to her house last thanksgiving  to pick up my 6 year old son, Ashish who was playing with Dylan(They spend lots of weekends and holidays together) Charlene was making a meat dish with green apples, she was so excited about it and gave me a spoonful to taste. It was so good!!!. As I was leaving, I missed the front door and walked into their living room and did not realize I was in their living room. I started looking for my shoes and then realized that I was not outside the house yet!!.  Lee who was observing this burst into laughter seeing my face and he could not stop laughing. Charlene did not understnd what happened and why Lee was laughing so hard. I still remeber that suprised look on her face as she was wondering what is wrong with her husband:)

I will miss you Charlene and the times that we watched our sons play while we had our little talks about our families. 

For the past 11 years I have worked at SCCOE, Charlene was the heart and soul of the Ridder Park campus. She was not just the keystone of her immediate family (put so well by her family in a message to SCCOE) but she was the keystone for a much larger work family as well. I, and so many others at work, are devastated that she and her kind grace have left us us too soon.


To Charlene's daughters....she was so proud of you and your accomplishments, not just in schooling and careers, but in life in general and with the choices you have made. I'm sorry, I could never keep your names straight when she was talking about all that you three have been up to.  


To Charlene's husband...thank you for giving Charlene the second chapter in her life that she so deserved - we can see her happiness in the beautiful pictures on this memorial page.  


To Dylan...know that you were the light of your mother's bright eyes and warm smile - that your actions and proclamations never stopped amazing her and that there are many people that feel your pain and will do their best to help lift you.    


To the Lunch Stop staff....Charlene so appreciated your loyalty, dedication and  how hard working and dependable you are - she was always so concerned about you first when the work slowed down.  


To Charlene's immediate family.....my heart aches for my loss and it aches much more for yours. Thank you for sharing Charlene with us at SCCOE - we know that the long hours and TLC she put in to her job here took away from your time with her.  


And to Charlene.....thank you for being such a kind, empathetic, beautiful. energetic and humorous person who cared for so many of us. You touched so many peoples' lives in such a positive way.....Love you and miss you so much my friend


PS - The picture attached to this is from years ago from a day I felt the need to where a suit to work.  Which has only happened on this one day.  Charlene couldn't help but poke a little fun at me when I showed up in the cafeteria.  She was just being her natural happy self and was willing to pose for a pic to document the rare occasion .    

I know Charlene, we called her 玉香. But I called her Heng.

I used to come to her parent's house back in the old day, the 70's if you will, to visit 玉梅, my foster-sister. I learned from the family how to address her as Heng instead of her normal name. She told me, it meant a lots when I called her that.

So, “Heng” it is.

I met Heng again during the first school reunion in 2008. First time we met after 33 years apart. Can you believe that?

She came over to greet me, “Hey! 華忠! Remember me?”

How could I forget that pleasant smile, that big innocent eyes?

“Heng! Khỏe không?”

She looked at me, didn't say anything until it was like centuries had passed, “Nìa còn nhớ wò!?”

If you've known Heng, you would never forget her stare. She looked right through you. And indeed, she did.

“Hey! You look sad. What happen?” She asked.

33 years seemed like just a day after that.

Lots of friends noticed how out going, positive and open Heng was. But not many aware how vulnerable, insecure, sentimental Heng used to be. Maybe, that's the curse of being a middle child? Or being one who preferred to offer instead of take?

Heng scared me. She could look straight into my eyes and tell me how “I felt”. How dare!? Not just that, during our many late night phone conversations, she told me what I felt before I even realized. My latest phone conversation with her was on Chinese New Year, 2013. She asked me 6 questions and wanted my straight answers. Each question she asked was things I've been hiding to face for years. How did she know?

I answered her truthfully. She seemed happy with my answers. Thank God!

She told me she has one question left, but she will ask next time we meet. One thing about her, she knew when to push and when to rest. Did I tell you Heng scared me?

Then, she confessed to me.

“Nìa mỉnh mỏi lần tới nhà wò chỉ hỏi thăm ché Mei, anh Chụn! Không ai thăm hỏi wò hết, nìa biết không?”

I told her, “Ai bỉu nìa trốn trong gốc nhà chi?”

She said, “Mấy năm nay, nìa tới San Jose, đâu có thăm wò đâu?”

I told her, “Lần sau tới chắc chắn sẽ gọi nìa!”, I meant that.

Heng said, “OK! we'll have dinner”

I told her, “No way! Dân quí tộc không ăn canteen food!”

My god, did she laugh.... I was ready for whatever she'd throw back at me next, but she didn't.

I offered, “Wò sẽ take nìa out for dinner, it's on me”

She said, “Wò cho nìa trả tiền dinner lần này, deal!”

I've been so looking forward to it since. Until the news...

I kept reading the email from 德聰 informed us that Heng has passed away over and over and over, hoping that after rubbing my eyes enough time, it would go away. I went back to bed telling me when I waked up, it'd be all a dream. I could still hear Heng's laugh...

People who knew her admired her for how strong she was. How pleasant, dedicated, cheerful and talented Heng was. Not many aware how vulnerable, insecure Heng felt. But, I guess, that's what made her unique. She managed to channel all those negatives into good things for others. This is what I've learned from Heng.

In a way, she made lemons that life gave her into lemonade. And knowing how everyone appreciated her, I think she had done right.

I'm ashamed to even call her sis. But I'm sure she would love I'd call her that. As she once told me, it was her wish all along.

Heng, your stories, your journey, your love for us, and you, will forever etched in our hearts, my dear Heng.

May you rest in peace, my dear sis.

--- 華忠 ---