Rochester, NY – Alice W. Chen, PhD, aged 85, passed away peacefully on October 25, 2020 at home surrounded by the love of her family. Dr. Chen was a full-time artist in addition to being an internationally-recognized mycologist.
Daughter of the late Professor C.C. and Sue Wei Hu, Alice was born August 17, 1935 in Nanjing, China. Alice is pre-deceased by her three sisters: Mable Cheng, Wilma Hu and Grace Yu. She was a global scholar, earning her doctorate from the Sydney University, Australia. Her other educational pursuits include the National University, Taiwan, the University of Kansas at Lawrence, and the Imperial College of London University – where she worked with Nobel prize winner Dr. E.B.Chain, who was awarded for the discovery of penicillin.
Since making Rochester, NY her home in the 1970s, Alice was a devoted mother who dedicated those early years in the US to raising her family and being an advocate/author focused on gifted and talented children. She leaves her ex-husband, Chung-Yuan Chen; her loving daughter, Lisa Chen Cross and her husband Mike of Pittsford, NY and their children: Griffin, Harrison and Callie; and her loving son, Michael Chen and his wife, Kristy, of Wallingford, PA and their children: Aidan and Nora.
Dr. Chen, a scientist by training, spent many years studying mushrooms. In particular, she focused on the use of Ganoderma lucidum in immunological research. Known as ling zhi in China, reishi in Japan and often touted as the “Mushroom of immortality,” Alice had many publications on its potential effectiveness in biomedical applications. She often said her scientific background helped her as an artist. For example, to paint a flower, she first would closely look at the bloom and carefully examine all of its biological components in order to understand it thoroughly as her muse.
Alice taught Asian Brush Painting at Rochester’s Memorial Art Gallery for 20 years, up until August 19, 2020. A popular speaker and demonstrator, she excited students and audiences with the flow of her vital energy and joyful spirit. She wanted to leave us with the legacy of being curious and creative. In one of her artist statements she said, “I like to immerse myself in the magic of nature and life, and to transmit my profound joy in discovery through art with a sprinkle of sunshine… I look forward each time to the unfolding of new frontiers in my poetic journey.”
Cheers to Alice’s everlasting poetic journey! Alice did not wish to hold services, rather she held celebrations of life with her family while she was still with them. To continue the legacy of her work in Asian brush painting, donations may be made by clicking on this blue link ( Give Online ) or mailed to the Memorial Art Gallery’s Creative Workshop, c/o Jackie Hart – Advancement Office, Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.
The family plans a video tribute of Alice’s life and evolution as an artist/scientist in the future. For more information, please visit:
http://www.alicechengallery.
