I am deeply sorry for the loss of my friend Shi Yuan Ma.
I have known Shi Yuan since 1995, from a computer software training program sponsored by the government.
From the initial conversation with her, she struck me as a sharp mind, talented in computer science and technology.
Through more conversations, I learned that she earned a Bachelor's degree from Tsinghua University, which is one the top ranking universities in China. She was knowledgeable in a wide range of topics like music, Peking Opera, history, and travel.
At home she always showed her kindness and care for her family, relatives, and friends. In the workplace, she demonstrated her excellent work ethic and superior work quality consistently throughout her career, both in China and Canada. I can proudly say she is one of the very few people I know who are academically capable of teaching at university, can work competently in the workplace, and yet be knowledgeable in a variety of subjects and topics.
I was deeply moved by her fortitude to fight cancer over the past 9 years, most notably in the last few months during which she still kept her optimism and thought about her loved ones.
Shi Yuan left us quietly, but she will be missed by all of us.
