Yufang Guan

Yufang Guan was born into a family of Manchurian aristocracy on Jan 4th, 1936 in the City of Mu Dan Jiang, Heilongjiang Province, China. She was the youngest of two children with an older brother. Her father was highly educated. Her mother was cultured, sophisticated, and emphasized her children’s early education. She was exposed to literature, art, and science at an early age. She had an idyllic childhood until age eight when her mother passed away. In the ensuing volatile years of the Chinese Revolution, her family lost their land and wealth. She had to grow up quickly under challenging circumstances. By nature, she was intelligent, kind, loving, gentle, humble, and compassionate. The hardship in her childhood and adolescence polished her character and transformed her into a strong, hardworking, independent and determined young lady.

Yufang Guan finished high school, college, and advanced studies on merit-based scholarships. She achieved academic excellence by graduating in the top of all classes with straight A’s. In her professional career as an electrical engineer, she broke through the glass ceiling by leading the design and execution of some of the most significant engineering projects in China. In 1967, she married Jizu Zhang, the love of her life. They had a life-long love affair and had two daughters. They moved to America in their senior years to be close to their daughters. She formed a special bond with her granddaughter, who lovingly dubbed her “the grandm-ster”. She was a tough and determined person, but she also touched every soul passing by her with care, support and respect. She saw the good in everyone and never had a bad word to say about anyone. She was the best mother in the whole world. She gave her children unconditional love, but at the same time, she was a strict disciplinarian insisting on a strong work ethic, decency, and honesty. She taught her children how to love, how to give without expectations, how to disagree, and how to forgive.

Yufang Guan passed away peacefully at 2:20pm on April 27, 2019. She was surrounded by family and friends, with her favorite music gently playing in the background. She was 84 years old. She is survived by a brother, two daughters, her granddaughter, and her husband, her life companion of 52 years. She was a remarkable soul and touched many lives during her lifetime. She left an incredibly rich legacy and countless treasured memories for her family and friends. Through her extraordinary strength and profound love, she overcame seemingly insurmountable adversities and turned her life into a brilliant triumph. She will forever be remembered for her kindness, intellect, wisdom, determination, grace, and beauty.

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生平简介

关玉芳，满族镶黄旗瓜尔佳氏人，满族贵族。1936年正月初四出生于黑龙江省牡丹江市。母亲关范义琴棋书画，很重视子女的早期教育。关玉芳聪慧善良，很得父母的欢喜。在父母的疼爱下，她和哥哥无忧无虑地，过着田园般的童年生活。不幸的是，母亲在她8岁的时候因病离开了她和11岁的哥哥。母亲离世，乱世中家道败落，关玉芳在苦难的环境中逐渐长大成人，她温柔善良，谦虚，富有同情心。童年和青少年艰苦生活的挑战，磨练了她的意志，锻炼了她吃苦耐劳，独立勇敢和坚毅的个性。

凭借着全额奖学金，关玉芳以全A的成绩念完中学，大学。大学毕业后，她成为一名优秀的工程建设设计师。她帮助设计国家级大型工程项目。1967年，关玉芳嫁给了她的一生挚爱张继祖。他们婚后共同养育了两个宝贝女儿。晚年的时候关玉芳和丈夫移居美国和女儿团聚在一起，含饴弄孙，和外孙女建立了深厚的感情。小孙女亲切地称呼她 “the Grandm-ster”。她坚强果敢，温柔的个性和慈母一般的心灵触动所有和她接触过的人。她是全世界最好的妈妈。她把一生所有的爱都无条件地给了女儿，她教给她们做人要诚实，善良，仁爱，宽容，勤俭，给予，不图回报。

2019年4月27日星期六下午2点20分，在家人和朋友的陪伴中，关玉芳安详地离开了我们，回归天家，安息在主的怀抱里，享年83岁。她给家人和朋友留下了数不尽的美好回忆。她一生用爱和勇气克服了很多困难。她的善良，智慧，坚强，慈爱和美丽将永远留在她的家人和朋友的记忆里