Upcoming Services
Elizabeth Mun Yip
“Gu-Gu”
Funeral Service
Sunday May 11th, 2025 at 11am
Elizabeth Mun Yip, beloved aunt (Gu-Gu), passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 1, 2025, in San Francisco at the age of 95.
She was a woman of deep compassion and unwavering devotion, whose legacy continues to inspire kindness and generosity in all who knew her. A loving aunt, cherished friend, and devoted Buddhist, Gu-Gu made a profound and lasting impact on countless lives.
Born on August 8, 1930, Gu-Gu was the youngest of three children of Zu Zhu Yip and Shu Quan Zhou. She grew up in Fu-Zhou, China. At 17, she enrolled in the Fu-Zhou Buddhist Nursing School. Later, she moved to Hong Kong and was accepted into the Chinese Medical College, where she studied acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. After graduating, she opened a clinic dedicated to serving the poor. In 1965, she spent a year in Japan to further refine her acupuncture skills. Her clinic, named Tzu-Chi (Benevolent Charity), offered free care to those in need and earned her deep respect within the Hong Kong Buddhist community.
In 1969, Gu-Gu immigrated to San Francisco with her mother, where she worked in St. Anne’s Home as a nurses’ aid to care for the elderly residents and subsequently continued her acupuncture practice with great success. Yet her heart remained devoted to community service. She founded Ta Kioh (Great Enlightenment) Buddhist Temple with her personal funds and support from donors, creating a spiritual sanctuary for the local Buddhist community. The temple also became a center for educaon, establishing a Chinese school that has been serving hundreds of students, offering classes in Chinese language and Buddhist teachings.
Despite adopting a celibate life, Gu-Gu dedicated herself wholeheartedly to the well-being of her extended family. She played a vital role in the lives of her nieces and nephews, offering love, support, and guidance throughout their lives. Her nephew, Dr. Edward Yeh, is an Academician of Academia Sinica. Her nieces and nephew are all accomplished in their respective fields. She was predeceased by her parents, brothers, sisters-in-law and is survived by many loving nieces, nephews, nieces-in-law, nephews-in-law, grand-nieces and grand-nephews in China, Hong Kong, Singapore and the U.S.
Gu-Gu’s life was a testament to the power of compassion, service, and spiritual commitment. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by the family, friends, and communities she touched.
In lieu of flowers, banners, or condolence money, the family kindly asks that her legacy be honored by preserving her accomplishments in your heart and memory and to consider a donation in her name to Ta Kioh Chinese School or Temple, 415-668-1861 or [email protected]
