Anson Chan's mother dies aged 92
Fang Zhaoling, the mother of former chief secretary Anson Chan Fang On-sang, died yesterday at the age of 92.
Fang, a renowned painter, was admitted to St Paul's Hospital in Causeway Bay in the afternoon, according to a family member who did not wish to be named.
She died shortly after efforts to treat her heart problems failed.
Hospital sources said Mrs Chan visited her mother in the afternoon.
Mrs Chan's husband, Archie Chan Tai-wing, was quoted by Commercial Radio as saying that his mother-in-law's health had been fluctuating recently.
He said Mrs Chan was in sorrow at her mother's death.
Family members visited the Hong Kong Funeral Parlour in North Point to make arrangements for the funeral. It is understood the family has reserved February 23 to 28 but the exact date for the funeral is yet to be fixed.
Mrs Chan has praised her mother's strength and perseverance as the model for her own character.
'We have been through some treacherous times during the war but my mother, who brought up the eight of us despite the hardships, has always kept her hopes and faith alive. This is something I admire greatly about her,' Mrs Chan said in a speech delivered in Hong Kong in May 1999. 'I owe the strength and optimism in my character entirely to my mother.'
She also cited her mother's teaching of tolerance when she took part in the December 4 pro-democracy march, saying that the pursuit of democracy should not be restricted to any political parties.
Fang was a celebrated painter and an expert in calligraphy.
In an August 2001 exhibition in Hong Kong, 120 pieces went on show, including works created between 1958 and 1999 as well as her seals and painting tools.
In 2005, her works were exhibited in the United States. She also donated 42 paintings to the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco, which are housed alongside a joint piece by herself and the late Zhang Daqian.
Fang is survived by six sons and twin daughters, including Mrs Chan.
