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Veteran actress So Hung Suen last month due to diabetes related heart failure passed away at age 62. Yesterday her funeral took place in the Universal Funeral Parlor in a Buddhist ceremony. Many of Sister Suen's family and friends came to bid her farewell on her final journey, but no one in show business appeared. Director Johnnie To Kei Fung who has known Sister Suen for years two days ago after the film BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM)'s press conference reportedly rushed back to Hong Kong to attend the funeral, but he was not seen two nights ago or yesterday.

The ceremony completed around 11:15AM. Sister Suen's son Hui Fung Lun carried his late mother's photo with a mournful expression. He and his sister Hui Ka Kei got into the hearse together and headed to the Diamond Hill Crematorium. The ashes will be placed in the Clearwater Bay Cham Shan Monastery.

Sister Suen's husband Hui Sing Biu did not get into the hearse with his children. He first arranged for family and friends' transportation first, then posed with his son and his late wife's photo per reporters' request and left without any interview.

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So Hung Suen's son and husband reveals that the construction of So Hung Suen memorial school in Cambodia

Gigi Wong breaks down when she leaves the funeral hall

Susanna Kwan

Pak Yan recalls discussing Buddhism with So Hung Suen

Chan Ka Yi

Wong Man Wai and Law Lan

Johnnie To after promoting BLIND DETECTIVE in Beijing with Andy Lau and Sammi Cheng returns to Hong Kong to pay his respect

Andy Lau send white roses to remember So Hung Suen

So Hung Suen played Tony Leung Chiu Wai's mother in POLICE CADET.  He and Carina Lau send a floral arrangement

Donation boxes were set up for the So Hung Suen memorial school construction
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Funeral services for Veteran actress So Hung Suen and actress Lai Han Chi began yesterday in the Universal Funeral Parlor and Po Fook Hill in Shatin respectively. So Hung Suen passed away on the 12th due to diabetes related heart failure. Services began yesterday with the funeral taking place today. The ceremony is Buddhist and her remains will be transported to Diamond Hill Crematorium for cremation. Many friends in the business were heart broken over So Hung Suen's sudden passing. Gigi Wong Suk Yi broke down in tears as she remembered her late friend; Johnnie To Kei Fung rushed from Beijing to pay his respect. Junior colleagues Andy Lau Tak Wa, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Carina Lau Ka Ling, Lau Ching Wan all sent floral arrangements.

So Hung Suen's husband Hui Sing Biu, son Hui Fung Lun and daughter Hui Ka Kei yesterday were present before the 3:30PM public event. Hui Sing Biu asked friends to donations in lieu of flowers to the construction of "So Hung Suen Memorial School" in Cambodia and donation boxes were set up at the venue. However many friends in the business still sent floral arrangements that filled the hall.

Hui Sing Biu and his son spoke to the media and appeared to be calm. Hui Sing Biu said that his wife was born in 1950, her age was 64. The funeral will have various Buddhist ceremonies. He revealed that Sister Suen was very peaceful when she passed, with a householder chanting for her to peacefully reach Sukhavati. Her ashes will be placed in Cham Shan Monastery in Clearwater Bay. He said that Sister Suen's wish was for her son to be able to manage her vegetarian store, to promote Buddhism and vegetarianism.

Yesterday friends who paid their respect included Gigi Wong Suk Yi, Nina Paw Hee Ching, Helena Law Lan, Pak Yan, Susanna Kwan Kuk Ying, Chan Ka Yi and others. Wong Suk Yi was rather heartbroken when she left as she tearfully said, "I never thought that she would pass so soon. When I learned about her diabetes I asked her to hurry up and see a doctor. I thought that after her toe removal operation she would get better, I never would have guessed......" She believed that Brother Biu would be able to overcome with his religious beliefs.

Paw Hee Ching sobbed and said that Sister Suen looked very peaceful. She has known Sister Suen for over 10 years. When they worked together they had a lot of fun and good memories. Last year she called Sister Suen to congratulate her on her Hong Kong Film Award. At the time they even promised to have dinner together. She lamented, "If you have something that you want to do just do it, not when it's too late. I regret very much that in the end I wasn't able to eat with her. I really miss her. She was a actress, liked to joke around and had a peaceful state of mind."

Sister Pak Yan said that Brother Biu was very strong. He and Sister Suen both were Buddhists. They often saw each other and discussed Buddhism. Earlier when she found out that Sister Suen was hospitalized she sent her regards. She lamented that birth, aging, illness and death were certain in life, but Sister Suen was still young and her passing was quite regrettable.

To Kei Fung yesterday attended the film BLIND DETECTIVE (MAN TAM)'s Beijing press conference but left soon after. He at the press conference spoke first and apologized to the media, saying that because he had to rush back to Hong Kong to pay his respect to his friend of many years So Hung Suen he had to leave early. To Kei Fung and So Hung Suen have known each other for years. In 2011 So Hung Suen starred in his film LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM) and won the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. He praised her as an excellent actress, hoped that she would be a role model for young actors and wished her a safe journey.

One of So Hung Suen's wishes was to promote vegetarianism
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Veteran actress So Hung Suen passed away on June 12th due to diabetes related heart failure at age 62. Services begin this afternoon at the Universal Funeral Parlor and the funeral will take place tomorrow. Her remains will be transported to the Diamond Hill Crematorium for cremation. Today between 3:30PM and 4:30PM the family made special arrangements for the public to pay their respect.

Her husband Hui Sing Biu stated in the press release that in lieu for floral arrangements So Hung Suen and her family asked for donations to be made to the "elementary school of hope in Cambodia" construction fund.

Sister Suen's son and husband chant for her

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In POLICE CADET 2, Sister Suen worked with Chow Yun Fat, Tony Leung Chiu Wai and Hui Siu Hung

So Hung Suen in LOOKING BACK IN ANGER played Aunt Wan who raised Carrie Ho, Leung SI Ho, Deric Wan, Felix Wong.  Her tragic end was memorable.  Maggie Siu also starred.

So Hung Suen often played more mature characters, her pig tailed factory girl look early in her career was rarely seen.

So Hung Suen in FILE OF JUSTICE played a lawyer with Sammi Cheng, Michael Tao, Eugina Lau

When So Hung Suen appeared on RTHK for an interview she was already two sizes smaller
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Best known for her mother roles, veteran actress So Hung Suen two days ago passed away from heart failure due to diabetes at the age of 62. An excellent actress, Sister Suen in recent years due to illness reduced her performance. Occasionally she would operate her vegetarian restaurant. Sister Suen last year with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM) won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress and added a brilliant chapter to her film career. Reporters yesterday waited for Sister Suen's family to appear at the hospital but her husband Hui Sing Biu and their son did not appear, conceivably they were busy with the funeral arrangements. The Performing Artist Guild also contacted Sister Suen's family to see if any assistance was needed. Her family so far has not made any special request.

Sister Suen was a student of TVB's first training class. She worked at TVB for 24 years and left a lot of vaulable work. TVB in memory of her selected one of her representative work LOOKING BACK IN ANGER (YI BUT YUNG CHING) for rerun on its Classic station starting June 19.

Sister Suen was not only recognized for her acting but also her relationships with fellow actors. Her past "children" also remembered her online. Sister Suen played Kit Lo (Tony Leung Chiu Wai)'s mother in POLICE CADET (SUN JAT SI HING) and the victim of of the Law Lan played new wife's bullying. Sister Suen in LOOKING BACK IN ANGER played Aunt Wan who took care of 4 children, finally Ting Yau Hong (Deric Wan Siu Lun) killed her.

The past series villain "Ting Yau Hong" Wan Siu Lun remembered Sister Suen. "Respected Ms. So Hung Suen, have a safe journey! Why do we always miss people after they pass? You should truly ask yourself when people were around, have you cared about and truly missed them? Sorry but what I say is true. Sister Suen have a safe journey!" The other two adopted sons "Ting Yau Kin" Felix Wong Yat Wa and "Chow Chi Man" Leung Si Ho also eulogized her. Wong Yat Wa wrote, "Sister Suen (Aunt Wan) have a safe journey! You will always be missed!" Leung Si Ho wrote, "Aunt Wan, I wish you a safe journey! I truly miss you! You will always be in my heart! You adopted son Chow Chi Man."

Leung Chiu Wai and Carina Lau Ka Ling played Sister Suen's children in POLICE CADET and SHOWBIZ TYCOON (YING SING DAI HUNG) respectively. Ka Ling remembered her online, "Sister Suen: (I wish you) reach Sukhavati soon, I missed the destiny of working with you. You will always live in our hearts. Leung Chiu Wai, Lau Ka Ling"

Liza Wang Ming Chuen who has worked with So Hung Suen countless times also remembered her friends online. "The first time I worked with So Hung Suen was JING GUNG CHAN MUNG, I played Consort Zhen and she was the Empress Dowager. At the time I just started making series, she was the first artist training class new comer (1972). We had many collaborations, in DREAM OF THE RED CHAMBER Daiyu, she was Xiren; in YESTERDAY'S GLITTER I was the seventh wife, she was Kong Ngai's second wife, etc......she has always been my good partner, good colleague, good actress! Ah Suen! Deeply miss you! Have a safe journey!" Michael Tao Dai Yu said, "Sister Suen, you were my great teacher, you were my great elder, I will always remember working with you. Sister Suen, have a safe journey!" Although Sister Suen was unable to defeat her illness, she has won the praises of those of her generation and after.

Yesterday So Hung Suen's husband Brother Biu and son chanted for her at the funeral home. Brother Biu already asked a dozen or so masters to chant seven days for his wife. When asked about Sister Suen's unfulfilled wish, Brother Biu admitted that basically she was okay. She just wanted to promote vegetarianism. "The children will come back to run the vegetarian restaurant."

The lama from Bhutan yesterday chanted in a Buddhist ceremony for Sister Suen at the Universal Funeral Parlor. No photo was at the altar yet, only a piece of yellow paper with the words "the lotus spot for Madame Hui So Hung Suen". Brother Biu revealed that the masters learned about his wife's passing and came to chant. "So far the services have been scheduled to start on June 30 and the funeral on July 1. Her ashes will rest in a temple. Because the entire family is Buddhist, everyone is very calm. We know passing is passing, staying is staying. We understand karma. When children learned about their parents' passing they didn't cry too hard. Of course after so many years together their emotions would fluctuate. When my wife passed our family was chanting for her by her side, so she left very peacefully." Brother Biu also said that Tony Leung Chiu Wai called to send his condolences.

Reporters also visited So Hung Suen's vegetarian restaurant. Speaking of how Sister Suen treated her employees, they all had nothing but praise for her as a good boss. "We know her biggest wish is to promote vegetarianism and stop butchering. We would follow and be vegetarian, and run this membership club (vegetarian restaurant) for Sister Suen. Her husband and son would come everyday and we will keep running it together." Employees said that they will attend the funeral and learned that many of Sister Suen's friends will appear to send Sister Suen on her final journey.

At the end of last year, Sister Suen spoke with Annie Liu

Sister Suen's husband and son appear at the hospital

So Hung Suen won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress with Johnnie To's LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE

Sister Suen's employees decline interview due to work
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Suffering from diabetes, So Hung Suen yesterday passed away at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital at the age of 62. Earlier her right foot began to rot and she had numerous operations. She had to remove the rotten flesh on one of her toes and the bottom of her foot. Reportedly aside from diabetes she also had a light stroke and a tumor in her belly.

So Hung Suen's son last night around 8PM announced the news of his mother's passing to the media. "Mommy around 4PM left this world. She went very peacefully. Mommy's final journey will be handled with a Buddhist ceremony." He revealed that his mother passed away from complications from a stroke. "The doctor will discuss the details. I want to say that Mommy went very peacefully. Most of the most important family members were around her, so Mommy had no regret." So Hung Suen's husband Hui Sing Biu arrived around 8:30PM. He looked calm and often covered his mouth with his hand.

Law Lan and Yu Mo Lin who have always stayed in touch with So Hung Suen yesterday confirmed the news of So Hung Suen's passing. Yu Mo Lin said, "Earlier she suffered a stroke and her belly had a tumor. However the worst part was she was anemic, her body was very weak. The doctor didn't dare to operate on her." Law Lan was rather sadden by the passing of her good friend. She admitted that she heard the news from Maggie Chan Mei Kei. "Sunday I went to her home. She was speaking and called me Sister Law Lan."

Playing mother and son with So Hung Suen in the classic series POLICE CADET (SUN JAT SI HING), Tony Leung Chiu Wai was very sadden to learn about her death. "Sister Suen and I are both Buddhists, I hope Sister Suen will soon reach Sukhavati. I will always remember the destiny of working with her." His wife Carina Lau Ka Ling said, "Sister Suen was a very gentle actress without any grievance with the world. She was serious about work, kind and caring to her colleagues. I wish for her to reach Sukhavati soon. She will forever live in my heart." Johnnie To Kei Fung, the director of So Hung Suen's final work LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE (DUET MING GUM), said that he just dined with her several months ago. He admitted that the news came too suddenly. "Ultimately life in the end requires a period. Aside from her outstanding acting, her merciful and charitable heart has put a perfect period to her life."

So Hung Suen in 1972 enrolled in TVB's first artist training class, with classmates like Ching Ho Wai, Hui Siu Hung and Kam Kwok Leung. Because Sister So looked older than her actual age, she often played mother or elderly characters. Sister So's acting was excellent as she participated in around 50 television series. She had a lot of representative work, her best known character was Leung Chiu Wai's mother in POLICE CADET. In 1996 she left TVB to assist her husband in their Buddhist vegetarian restaurant business. However she returned to ATV in 1999 for a series and would occasionally participate in film as well. Last year with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE she won the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actress. However at the time she was being treated for diabetes at the hospital, thus she was unable to personally accept the award.

So Hung Suen's vegetarian restaurant business also suffered several setbacks. In 2005 due to rapidly rising rent, she and her husband decided to close their Mongkok vegetarian restaurant. In 2006 they began to sell pillows at a Fa Yuen Street stall with a daily rent of HK$400. Then in 2008 they opened the Cute Fei Vegetarian restaurant in Tsim Sha Tsui. It is still in operation. She and her husband also met due to the vegetarian restaurant. They wed in 1988 and had a son and a daughter. So Hung Suen's final public appearance was on January 27 at a Karmapa public event, also on hand were Annie Liu On Lai, Bonnie Law Ming Chu and Fennie Yuen Kit Ying.

Winning the Hong Kong Film Award Best Supporting Actor in 2012 with So Hung Suen, Lo Hoi Pang said, "Half a year ago I went to To Kei Fung's party with Sister Suen. I learned that her health was poor and she was much thinner. (Were you thinking about asking her to watch your show?) I didn't want to disturb her! Diabetes really is troublesome."

Her first training class classmate Kam Kwok Leung said, "We had no contact in recent years. Earlier when I was a Hong Kong Film Award juror. When she won with LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE, people misunderstood that it was because we were classmates. (Did you feel heartbroken and sudden when you heard the news?) No, at a certain age people expect it, instead I would see if there is anything that I want to. I would try to do it instead of safeguarding my life. This should be the attitude to have in life. She believed in the Buddha, I believe she would think that way."

Fellow training class classmate Hui Siu Hung said, "I heard the news. I rarely contact old classmates. Recently I haven't seen her. I knew that she had diabetes and a tumor, which were quite troublesome."

Performing Artist Guild secretary general Astrid Chan Chi Ching said, "The Performing Artist Guild now is contacting Sister Suen's family. If any need arises, the Performing Artist Guild will fully assist. Sister Suen was a very nice person, I am very saddened."

So Hung Suen's LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE co-star Denise Ho Wan Si said, "Sister Suen was a good actress who show business should have more of, being able to work with her in LIFE WITHOUT PRINCIPLE was my honor. I will always miss her!"