Evelyn Hou, Northwest Asia Weekly Office
On April 19, family, friends and loved ones gathered to say goodbye to Hou Hsiao-hsien.
She died on April 7 at the age of 58.
Her sister Chris Lew wrote on Facebook: “We are overwhelmed [her] In such a short time, all three children have experienced it. “
Hou’s husband passed away less than six months ago, on October 22, 2021.
Lew has a GoFundMe page for Leon, Lena and Ian Hou, the couple’s three children.
Evelyn and Shula Hou own Bellevue Embroidery at Factoria Mall, but recently transitioned to an online-only model.
After her husband’s death, Lu said, Evelyn “stayed strong for her children and determined to continue and grow their careers, serving the community and clients who cherished her and her equally.
Incredibly, the family suffered another tragedy within a few months. Evelyn began to feel unwell and was admitted to Overlake Hospital on March 16, where she stayed for a week to manage her pain and have tests. After X-rays, CT scans, and biopsies, she had aggressive metastatic cancer in her liver and lungs, which was the final diagnosis. “
Hou has been a member of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce for over 20 years. “We will always remember her dedication to community, business and family,” the group said on its Facebook page.
Hou is also a longtime friend and sponsor of the Miss Washington organization.
Miss Olympics 2022 Jerica Huang (right) and Evelyn Hou (photo via Miss Olympics WA Facebook page)
“I met Evelyn at my first local competition in Washington,” said Miss Olympics 2022 Jerica Huang on Facebook. “I felt her generosity, inspiring spirit immediately when she gave us all the custom t-shirts and took beautiful photos of the competition on her camera. Year after year, she continued to make custom shirts and masks and supporting us at every pageant. Her servitude is matched by her incredible creativity through custom embroidery and prints.”
Miss India USA 2017 Shree Saini also echoed on Facebook.
“I don’t want to believe you’re gone. Whenever I go to any local event, you’re the first person I want to meet and hug tightly. You continue to live on in all of us.”
Sheri Rainey Backous said: “Hou Hsiao-Hsien has always been so kind and kind to hundreds of people, especially to the women on the Miss Washington/Miss Washington Outstanding Teen Program. She is still grieving the loss of her husband…and now her three children have lost their parents … her legacy will live on.”
Don Lee tweeted: “To my loyal friends since junior high, Swag Queen and business associates, who have followed me into two different industries; and have always been generous in providing me with ex-pats for beauty pageants and fashion shows. Row VIP sponsor tickets…you’re sorely missed…and will live on in my memory forever.”
Lu said the funds raised will be deposited into the Hou family’s account so they can stay in their familiar home while they recover and continue their education.
