Growing up
Husband Zhen Yu Hu was born on June 11, 1929 in China in the city of Fung Fong Xien, in the province Hu Nan. 
As the eldest son, Zhen Yu grew up in a family that originally had 9 children that included 3 brothers and 5 sisters. One of the sons and a daughter passed away at an early age.
Zhen Yu’s mother died of cancer when he was eleven years of age. His father remarried a short while later and worked hard to keep and care for his family. Zhen Yu’s parents belonged to the Catholic church- a religion first brought to the country with the arrival of European missionaries in the 16th century. Zhen Yu’s parents both worked for a local Catholic church in an orphanage operated by the church. The church would play an important role in educating and providing opportunities for Zhen Yu.
Like most families in China, Zhen-Yu’s family was poor. Zhen Yu spent his free time outdoors with friends, flying his home made kites and playing Chinese checkers. A bright boy who loved to learn, Zhen Yu enjoyed going to school. His favourite subjects in school were math and biology. He dreamed of one day becoming a doctor even though the opportunity for studying at such a high level was not possible because his family could not afford to pay the school tuition.
Wife Ming-De Li was born on January 17, 1933 in the large town of Yun Ling, also in the province of Hu Nan. Ming-De was raised as an only child by her mother. When Ming-De was very young, her father was killed while fighting against the Japanese occupation of China in1934. Because of Chinese cultural beliefs, Ming De’s mother was not able to re-marry as no man would take a widow with a child to be his wife. Ming De’s mother was determined to take on the responsibility of raising Ming De on her own and provide the best life she could for her.
As an only child, Ming De was expected to study very hard and to use her education as a way to seek a better life for herself. Education was the best path for both Ming De and her mother to get out of poverty and create a better future. Ming De excelled at her studies which were also at the local church school. Ming De’s mother was a loving mother but was also very strict. As long as Ming De studied she was not required to do any chores or work like other children her age often had to do in order to support their families. Ming De enjoyed going to school and studying. Her favorite subjects included math, music, art, dance and languages. When she was not studying, Ming De liked to socialize with her friends or perform in local cultural dance and music presentations.
In the late 1930’s China was attacked and occupied by Japan during the Sino-Japanese war. Ming De’s town was bombed by the Japanese on several occasions. Ming De and her mother and many of the townspeople were often forced to evacuate their home to seek refuge in the surrounding hills until the bombing stopped.
After World War II ended, the military government of Chaing Kai Shek ruled China. In 1949 the “New China” was created following the triumph of of the Communist Revolution of Mao-Tse Tung. For Ming De and Zhen Yu the revolution provided opportunities they never had before. The revolution permitted all capable students to attend university free of charge. Economic subsidies or allowances were offered to poor families. The revolution allowed Ming De and Zhen Yu to pursue their educational dreams.
Zhen Yu and Ming De, who had grown up near one another in Hu Nan province, first met in 1950 through Zhen Yu’s sister who studied with Ming De. After graduating from high school, the two of them became teachers. Ming De worked in the local church school and Zhen Yu taught in the public school system. Their friendship blossomed at a series of teacher conferences they attended and at the local church. Zhen Yu had noticed the beauty and vitality of Ming De and was attracted to her from the first time he met her. Ming De was popular and well known in the community- even among all the boys. But she was very selective about who she went out with.
When Zhen Yu asked Ming De to go out with him, she at first refused him. Not wanting to be denied, Zhen Yu convinced Ming-De’s mother that he would make good husband and provider for Ming De. Ming De’s mother was impressed by Zhen Yu’s persistence, ambition and his desire to pursue university studies. Little by little, with Ming De’s mother’s help, Zhen Yu convinced Ming De to go out him. Over the next six years they corresponded with one another as they completed their university studies. Their relationship grew closer and eventually they were married in 1956.
During the next four decades, Ming De and Zhen Yu would experience hardship of the Cultural Revolution; raise a family of four children; work in their chosen professions as an engineer and teacher; and, eventually, move to Canada to be closer to three of their adult children.
