Phyllis Teng Chu, 86, translators’ professor

It was only fitting that for more than 20 years, Phyllis Shu-Yuan Teng Chu trained interpreters and ambassadors: Helping prople understand and connect with one another was one of her primary interests.

As a professor at the University of Geneva interpreters school, she tried to instill in her students the global perspective she had gained from living on three continents. She wanted, her daughter Pauline Chu Pan said, “to introduce them to the best of all cultures.”

“She always took great interest in other people” no matter what their education, her daughter said. “People knew very well that she cared for them.”

Mrs. Chu died of lung cancer Nov 22, 2003 at the Franciscan Oaks nursing home in Denville. She was 86. Mrs. Chu was born in 1917 in Beijing, the third child of a prominent intellectual family. Her father, Tsui Ying Teng, was a Columbia University graduate and served as president of several Chinese universities, including Xiamen University. She received a bachelor of arts degree in English with highest honors from Beijing University and a master’s in behavioral psychology from George Washington University.

She taught Chinese, English and interpretation at the University of Geneva between 1954 and 1974, and many of her students became simultaneous interpreters for the United Nations. She also trained U.S. ambassadors to Switzerland and worked as an interpreter for Swiss corporations including Nestle and Sandoz Pharmaceutical.

Mrs. Chu entered the nursing home three years ago, moving from Florida to be closer to her children following the death of her husband Paul B.J. Chu, a former international labor official and Rutgers University professor.

Her ability to connect with people was evident after her passing, her daughter was surprised at how many other residents of the nursing home approached to ask where memorial services would be held.

Her daughter said the global vision Mrs. Chu advocated was symbolized by the nurses who cared for her in her final weeks: one African=American, one Irish, one Filipino and one American. “It is quite ironic,” her daughter said. “That really represents a global perspective.”

Pauline Chu Pan, who lives in Denville, recounted a conversation she and her mother had shortly before her mother’s death. Mrs. Chu said that if the daughter intended to compose a speech for the funeral, it should point out Mrs. Chu’s defects, too. “I’m not perfect,” she explained.

She then asked her daughter to tell her one of her flaws. “Sometimes you’re too judgmental, too quick to judge people,” Pauline Chu Pan said. Mrs. Chu looked at her, smiled and answered: ”Funny you should say that, because it took me over 50 years to understand you.”

Throughout her life, her daughter said, Mrs. Chu lived up to her Chinese name, Shu-Yuan, which means “graceful lady.” “She was a lady through and through,” Pauline Chu Pan said.

In addition to her daughter, Mrs. Chu is survived by a son, Donald Liang Chu of Long Valley, three brothers, C.R. Teng of Nanjing, China, Dr. C.L. Teng of Chicago, and C.M. Teng of San Francisco; brothers-in-law Dr. David Chu, of Concord, N.C. and Dr. James Chu of North Haven, Conn; sisters-in-law Esther Chu of Honolulu and Constance Chien and Rosalind Chu, both of New York City; and Many nieces and nephews.

~ Printed on Star-Ledger, Sunday, November 30, 2003

~ by Diego Graglia