Margaret Ming-E Ou
(1976 - 2008)

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General Details

Name:	Margaret Ming-E Ou
Gender:	Female
Age:	31 years old
Lived:	Saturday, 16 October 1976 - Sunday, 10 February 2008

My Story

Some people have asked me to share what I said at Margaret's funeral... so I thought I'd post it here.

-

Thank you all for being here with us today. It really means a lot to us.

I can still remember when I first met Margaret, on the first day of seventh grade. Her family had just moved to Torrance from Walnut, and I remember her sitting quietly, glancing at me in class, and I thought how unsettled she must be in a new school, full of strangers.

I was completely wrong.

That day, she had already singled me out. She went to the registrar's office and had her class schedule changed to exactly match mine. Then she wrote me a letter, declaring me to be her arch-rival. Looking back, I'm honored that she chose me. And I feel so very fortunate, too, because I cannot imagine what my life would have been like, if I hadn't grown up with her in it.

We were drawn together, and became best friends so quickly, she didn't have time to give me the letter. (Though we had a big laugh when she eventually showed it to me.)

From the beginning, Margaret was driven, ambitious, and brilliant. She had clarity of thought so deep that it was almost foreign to me. We all had the sense, even back then, that she was destined for great things. She was going somewhere in her life, and nothing could hold her back.

For the next 20 years, Margaret went on to define for me what it means to be a good person.

It was she who showed me what real friendship is about. She taught me to share my feelings, and to trust others with them. She challenged my thinking, and always encouraged me to pursue my passions. She had a big influence on the person I grew up to be.

I always knew her to be honorable, compassionate, and incredibly talented. But even though she was successful at just about anything she put her mind to, she was always honest and humble at her core.

One thing that I think impressed all of us was that at her deepest self, she sought Truth regardless of the cost or obstacles in her way. But she felt that there was another part of her, just as deep. She said that she was, as she put it to me a few years ago, "trying to love people, however unsuccessfully."

She told me that she felt that nobody saw that quality in her. But the fact that we are all joined here together in rememberance and celebration of Margaret's life is a testament to how her love has touched all of our lives.

So as we say good-bye today, I have a suggestion for you...

Take the quality you most admired in Margaret... and make it your own, from this day forward.

Will it be her compassion? Her integrity? Her faith? The way she never judged people, but accepted them who they are?

For me, I think it will be the courage to face the challenges ahead of me. Whatever you choose, make it your personal tribute to Margaret. Then she will truly be in our hearts forever.

-

In lieu of flowers, Margaret's family has set up a memorial fund, and requests that donations be made there in her memory. Here are the details:

Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center transforms lives by providing quality mental health and substance abuse services in communities where stigma or poverty limit access. Since 1942, Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center has treated more than half a million people, promoting a better quality of life for residents throughout Los Angeles County. We offer a broad array of mental health and substance abuse services, which serve nearly 44,000 children, adults and families at our nine locations each year. Didi Hirsch also houses the nation's first Suicide Prevention Center, which is the model for many other centers, both nationally and internationally.

If you wish to donate online, please visit http://www.didihirsch.org/donate
and donate in memory of Margaret Ou.
If you wish to mail your donation, please send your contribution to:

Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center
4760 S. Sepulveda Boulevard
Culver City, CA 90230
ATTN: Development Department in memory of Margaret Ou

If you wish to donate by phone, please call the Development Department at (310) 751-5426.

Latest Tributes

12 / 31 tributes

view all tributes

From: OuSteven

We love you Margaret.

From: carmen26

From: sandraR

Dear Margaret, I remember you often... memories of you give me joy. I know you are close to God and close to us and ...

From: jounghwang

This world misses people like you, Margaret. Take care wherever you are...

From: kutt

miss

From: gcr2010

you will always be a soul sister to me. you are deeply missed and at this time in my life, i wish you were around in...

From: sandraR

Dear friend, I remember you today and always. I miss you very much, but I know that you are in good hands at this tim...

From: sandraR

From: Alwin

May you be well and happy always

From: tisamay

Happy BELATED Birthday! I miss you!

From: dcy

I am shocked and deeply saddened by Margaret's passing. I had the privilege of knowing Margaret in middle school and...

From: ycart63

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the softl...

Biography

Religion:

Catholic

Interests

Passing

Place of Passing:	Taiwan
Date of Passing:	10 February 2008
Place of Burial:	Queen of Heaven Cemetary, 2161 Fullerton Road, Rowland Heights, CA 91748 (626) 964-1291
Plot Number:	see this map for directions: http://is.gd/8amTe
Funeral Location:	St. Thomas Aquinas Church, 1501 South Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park, CA 91754
Funeral Date:	29 February 2008

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Online Memorial

Margaret Ming-E Ou (1976 - 2008)

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General Details

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Biography

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Passing

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Margaret Ming-E Ou
(1976 - 2008)

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