Fen T. Chou, of Natick passed away peacefully with family surrounding her on March 13, 2023 at the age of 86. She was predeceased by her husband, Seh Ieh Chou. Fen was the devoted mother of Peggy Chou (Chris Jackson) and Jenny Chou (Chris Smith), all of Newton; beloved grandmother of Ethan Smith of New Orleans, LA and Lydia Smith of Dallas, TX. She was known and loved for her devotion to family, lifelong friendships near and far, cooking traditional Taiwanese food for her grandchildren; and, later in life tracking the stock market, watching Taiwanese soap operas and playing Sudoku and Zookeeper.

Originally from Taiwan, Fen graduated from National Taiwan Normal University with a degree in Biology. She was a science teacher in Taipei for a number of years in the 1950s, and during a time when global travel was rare, she joined her then fiancé in Madison WI, where he was completing a Ph.D. After marrying on November 16, 1963 in Madison, they finally settled in Lincoln, Nebraska where they raised their family before retiring. It was on Fen's insistence that they relocated to Massachusetts in 2012.

Like many women of her generation, Fen did not have the same opportunities or expectations of a traditional career. As an immigrant, she also adapted to a new language and culture, often feeling as if she did not fully belong in either Taiwan or the US. She faced these challenges with optimism, acceptance, and always centered her family. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, aunt and friend to the many people fortunate to have known her. She was very sociable, from chatting on the phone, sharing videos on the LINE app, or celebrating important milestones with family dinners where she would always find ways to intercept the check. Fen lived independently to the end and will be fondly remembered for her kindness, her ability to keep friendships across distance and time, and in how she always kept her family close.

A celebration of life is planned.