Obituary of Lijuan (“Lily”) Zhou

March 23, 2024

In Loving Memory of Lijuan (“Lily”) Zhou

Lijuan (“Lily”) was a dedicated pediatrician and the former captain of her medical school's basketball team passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday, March 23, 2024. She was known as someone who had a life-long dream of a white-coated angel as a physician.

Lily was the epitome of determination and the apple of her parents' eyes. From a young age, she displayed an unwavering passion for both healthcare and sports. She always dreamed of flying as a free spirit and beamed with excitement over her vivid imaginations. Her talents shone brightly on the basketball, softball, and baseball courts, as well as swimming pools, cycling paths, and racetracks, where she quickly became a standout competitive athlete, showcasing her leadership skills and dedication to excellence. Her experience of being a patient led her to save numerous lives after embarking on her career path in medicine. For example, on several occasions, she would answer calls to help others when medical emergencies occurred on trains or planes.

Lily attended an esteemed medical school in her hometown, where she demonstrated her prowess in leadership as the captain of its basketball team and excelled in her education. She inspired her teammates and classmates alike with her tenacity, perseverance, and kindness. After earning her medical degree, Lily dedicated her life to serving others as a compassionate and skilled attending pediatrician who devoted her time educating community and rural healthcare workers. Her patients revered her for her expertise, empathy, and commitment to their well-being over several decades. Lily’s impact on the medical and patient communities was profound, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of medical professionals.

Outside of her medical career, Lily cherished spending time traveling around the world and volunteering in various community activities whose love knew no bounds. Her warmth, kindness, insightfulness, and infectious laughter brought joy to all who knew her. In her later years, Lily always shared her wisdom with others. Her zest for life was evident in everything she did, and her spirit will live on in the hearts of all. Many friends thought that her age was “frozen” as such a healthy, athletic, and active person as always. Thus, her passing left a big void in their hearts.

Lily left behind a legacy of love. While she may no longer grace the basketball courts or walk the halls of the clinics, her memory will endure as a beacon of hope and inspiration for many generations to come. Although Lily may have taken her final bow from the podium of life, her spirit will continue to shine brightly. May she rest in peace, knowing that her legacy will endure for eternity.

A celebration of Lily's life will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 pm, Monday, April 22, 2024, at the Crestwood Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 445 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036, USA, to honor her remarkable legacy and share cherished memories.

In lieu of flowers, please make a memorial gift to the University of Rochester by visiting giving.rochester.edu or by mail to P.O. Box 270032, Rochester NY 14627-0032.

To Lily:

In the heart's gallery, a portrait bright,
Of a beacon of strength and light.
With stethoscope and running shoes aglow,
She danced through life, a radiant flow.

A healer's touch, a doctor's grace,
In her care, troubles found their space.
With skillful hands and compassionate eyes,
She soothed our woes beneath the skies.

An athlete in spirit, a force to behold,
On fields of dreams, her tales unfold.
With every stride, a story told,
A life-long vision bold.

In white coats and in tracksuits clad,
She conquered realms, both good and bad.
Through trials faced, and hurdles leapt,
Her spirit soared and promise kept.

In every pulse, her legacy lives,
The healing touch, the will that thrives.
A doctor, athlete, and artist divine,
In memories so cherished, she continues to shine.

Though paths diverge and time may part,
Her spirit echoes in every heart.
In her honor, we raise our voice,
To celebrate a life, full of grace, full of choice.

For a healer, athlete, friend,
In our memories, you'll never end.
Forever cherished, forever near,
In love's embrace, you'll always appear.

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