Obituary of Phyllis Shu-Yuan Teng Chu

Phyllis Shu-Yuan Teng Chu, 86, ex professor and simultaneous interpretation expert Phyllis Shu Yuan Teng Chu, a former University of Geneva (Geneva, Switzerland) Interpreters School professor passed away on November 22 in her residence at Franciscan Oaks, Denville, NJ. She was 86. Professor Chu also formerly lived in Port Charlotte, FL, Belle Mead, NJ, Bethesda, MD, Geneva, Switzerland and Beijing, China. Born January 2, 1917, Beijing, she was the third child of a prominent intellectual family. Her father, Tsui Ying Teng, completed his graduate studies at Columbia University. He later became president of several Chinese Universities in China, including Xiamen University and also founded the global Phi Lambda Chinese fraternity. Her mother, Kao Yu Huei, raised six children, each of whom achieved great successes in different fields, as Colonel in Chinese Army, director, Manager in Central China Trust, President of Taiwan Arts and Cultural University and professor at Hong Kong Chinese University. Mrs. Chu was a lecturer and professor at the Interpreters School in Geneva, Switzerland teaching Chinese English languages and Chinese, French and English interpretation from 1954-74. Many of her students became simultaneous interpreters for the United Nations. She trained US ambassadors to Switzerland fro 1954-74 and worked for Nestle and Sandoz Pharmaceutical companies as an interpreter. Mrs. Chu received her BA degree I English fro Beijing University with the highest honors and an MA degree from George Washington University in behavioral psychology. She served on several international panels with world renowned child psychologist Dr. Raymond du Pan in Geneva and was 1976-77 President of Princeton Chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW)), Mrs. Chu also actively supported her husband Paul B.J. Chu, who was Chief of Workers Education branch in the International Labor Office (ILO) and was recognized by the Secretary General for his significant contributions, when organization was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1968 Daughter survives Mrs. Chu. Pauline Chu Pan of Denville, NJ, her son Donald Liang Chu of Long Valley, NJ, three brothers, C.R. Teng of Nanjing, China, Dr. C.L. Teng of Chicago, IL, C.M. Teng of San Francisco, CA, and many nieces and nephews. All who knew her will miss her smile, love, and caring and intellectually simulating discussions. The families mourn her passing, but are grateful that God blessed her so richly during her life. Memorial services will be held on Dec. 6, 2003 at 12:00PM (Noon), at Saint Virgils Church, Speedwell Ave., Morris Plains, NJ and interment at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge, NJ.