01/06/2026
The Queens Symphony Orchestra mourns the loss of beloved Board Member Patsy Chen. Patsy was a powerhouse of energy, life, and music. Her contributions to the music community will be sorely missed. The following is her obituary, translated from the
Epoch Times:
Former Chairperson of the New York Taiwanese Association, Fang Hsiu-jung, has passed away, dedicating her life to the overseas Chinese community.
Updated: January 6, 2026, 5:35 AM
Patsy Fang Chen, former chairperson of the New York Taiwanese Association and artistic director of the New York Young Lions Youth Orchestra, passed away in New York on January 4 at the age of 78. She dedicated her life to the Taiwanese community and youth music education, and was hailed by the overseas Taiwanese community as a key figure connecting the community, culture, and the next generation. The news has deeply shocked the New York overseas Taiwanese community and cultural and arts circles.
Fang Hsiu-jung was born on May 31, 1948, in Taiwan. Her father was a renowned obstetrician and gynecologist in Taipei. She graduated first in her class in music from the National Taiwan College of Arts (the predecessor of the National Taiwan University of Arts) in 1968 and immediately went to the United States. From late 1968 to 1970, she worked in administration at a hospital in Chicago. In 1980, she earned a Master of Music Education degree from New York University (NYU). After settling in New York, she actively participated in the Taiwanese community and public affairs for decades.
Chung Chi-jen, music director of the Young Lions Youth Orchestra, expressed his deep sorrow upon hearing of Fang Hsiu-jung's passing. He said that Fang Hsiu-jung had departed for Taiwan and Japan a few days before Thanksgiving in November 2025, and was participating in a delegation from seven major North American overseas Chinese communities visiting Taiwan from December 1st to 6th. She called him immediately upon arriving in Taiwan, saying she had twisted her leg upon landing and needed a wheelchair. She was scheduled to be away for about three weeks, returning in mid-December. The Young Lions Orchestra's Christmas concert at 158 Junior High School, originally planned for December 14th, was postponed by a week to December 21st so she could attend. However, she returned from Taiwan on December 11th, saying she was in great pain and feeling unwell. On the 12th, Chung Chi-jen texted her but received no reply. He later heard that she had been admitted to Brooklyn Hospital, undergone surgery, and was in the ICU. Hearing this, he knew the situation was serious and prayed for her, only to learn of her passing on the morning of the 5th.
Fang Hsiu-jung was a dedicated member of the overseas Taiwanese community. She served two consecutive terms as Chairperson of the New York Taiwanese Association from 2017 to 2020, and is considered one of the key figures in leading this prestigious organization. During her tenure, she promoted improvements to the association's facilities and diversified its activities. She actively collaborated with overseas Taiwanese groups, educational institutions, and local political figures, making the Taiwanese Association a platform for Taiwanese Americans to connect and showcase Taiwan to the world. After stepping down as Chairperson, she continues to attend various events as Vice Chairperson and former Overseas Community Affairs Commissioner, including the New York State Legislature Tea Party for "Taiwanese Heritage Day," as well as events for overseas Taiwanese education, women's organizations, and others, demonstrating her continued concern for Taiwan's democracy, human rights, and international visibility.
Music Education and Youth Development
Besides her work with overseas Chinese communities, music is one of her lifelong missions. Since 1998, she has taken over the management of the Youth Orchestra (CYCNY) in New York, serving as its artistic director and providing systematic training and performance opportunities for young musicians aged 10 to 18. The Youth Orchestra holds concerts annually in Queens and Lincoln Center, and also tours libraries, parks, schools, senior centers, and Taiwanese associations, becoming one of the most representative Chinese youth orchestras in the New York community, highly praised by parents and audiences alike.
Chung Chi-jen said that Fang Hsiu-jung has always been diligent and dedicated, uniting the entire Young Lions team. She cares deeply about the teachers and students, often offering encouragement, and frequently sits and listens during weekly rehearsals. Under her leadership, the orchestra is a united, harmonious, and thriving family. She is generous, open-minded, and always full of energyβin Taiwanese terms, "very outgoing." Everyone respects her, and she also respects the teachers' ideas and opinions; if a teacher thinks it's okay, she will approve it.
Fang Hsiu-Jung has long served as a bridge between organizations such as the Queens Symphony Orchestra and the Asian community, helping to promote multicultural programs and bringing more mainstream arts resources into immigrant communities. Many teenagers who trained with the Young Lions Orchestra later pursued careers in music or public service, regarding her as their mentor and spiritual guide.
Editor: Huang Xiaotang
